ACT IV
IN THE ATTIC
(As in Act I)
(MARCEL,_as before, stands in front of his easel, while RUDOLPH sits at his writing table; each trying to make the other believe that he is working indefatigably, whereas they are really only gossiping.)_
MAR. (resuming his talk) In a coupé?
RUD. Yes, in carriage and pair did she merrily hail me.
"Well, Musetta," I questioned:
"How's your heart?"
"It beats not—or I don't feel it—Thanks
to this velvet I'm wearing!"
MAR. (endeavoring to laugh) I'm glad, very glad!
RUD. (aside) You humbug, you! You're fretting and fuming!
MAR. It beats not! Bravo! (commences to paint with great vigor) Then I saw, too—
RUD. Musetta?
MAR. Mimi.
RUD. You saw her? How strange! (stops painting)
MAR. Rode in her carriage in grand apparel.
Just like a duchess.
RUD. Delightful! I'm glad to hear it.
MAR. (aside) You liar! you're pining with love.
RUD. and MAR. Now to work! (they go on working)
RUD. (throwing down his pen) This pen's too awful! (remains seated, apparently lost in thought)
MAR. (flinging away his brush) This infamous paint-brush! (Stares at his canvas, and then without RUDOLPH observing it, he takes from his pocket a bunch of ribbons and kisses it.)
RUD. Ah! Mimi! false, fickle-hearted!
Ah! beauteous days departed!
Those hands so dainty!
Oh! fragrant, shining tresses!
Ah! snow-white bosom!
Ah! Mimi! those brief, glad, golden days!
MAR. (putting away his ribbons and staring anew at his canvas)
How is it that my brush
With speed mechanical keeps moving,
And plasters on the colors
Quite against my will?
And though I would be painting landscapes,
Meadows, woodlands fair in Spring-tide,
My brush refuses to perform its office;
But paints dark eyes, and two red, smiling lips;
The features of Musetta haunt me still!
RUD. (taking Mimi's old bonnet from the table drawer)
And thou, O! rose-pink bonnet,
That 'neath her pillow lay,
That in her hour of parting she forgot—Thou
wert the witness of our joy!
Come to my heart, ah! come!
Lie close against my heart, since my love is dead!
(clasps the bonnet to his heart)
MAR. Ah! frivolous Musetta! thee can I ne'er forget!
My grief affords her pleasure,
And yet my weak heart is fain
To call her to my fond arms again.
RUD. (endeavoring to conceal his emotion from Marcel, carelessly questions him) What time is it now?
MAR. (roused from his reverie, gaily replies) Time for our yesterday's dinner.
RUD. But Schaunard's not back yet. (Enter Schaunard and Colline; the former carries four rolls, and the latter a paper bag.)
SCH. Here we are!
RUD. How now?
MAR. How now?
(SCHAUNARD places the rolls on the table.)
MAR. (disdainfully) Some bread!
COL. (taking a herring out of the bag, and putting it on the table)
A dish that's worthy of Demosthenes:
'Tis a herring!
SCH. 'Tis salted!
COL. 'Our dinner is ready! (Seating themselves at the table, they pretend to be having a sumptuous meal.)
MAR. This is a food that the gods might envy.
SCH. (placing Colline's hat on the table, and thrusting a bottle of water into it) Now the champagne in the ice must go.
RUD. (to MARCEL, offering him some bread) Choose, my lord marquis—salmon or turbot? (_His offer is accepted, when, turning to _SCHAUNARD, he proffers another crust of bread.) Now, duke, here's a choice vol-au-vent with mushrooms. (He politely declines, and pours out a glass of water, which he hands to Marcel.)
SCH. Thank you, I dare not, this evening I'm dancing! (The one and only tumbler is handed about. Colline, after voraciously devouring his roll, rises.)
RUD. (to Colline) What? sated?
COL. (with an air of great importance) To business! The king awaits me.
MAR. (eagerly) What plot is brewing?
RUD. What's in the wind?
SCH. (rises and approaches Colline, observing with droll inquisitiveness) What's in the wind?
MAR. What's in the wind?
(COLLINE struts up and down, full of self-importance.)
COL. The king requires my services.
(The others surround COLLINE, bowing low to him.)
SCH. Bravo!
MAR. Bravo!
RUD. Bravo!
COL. (with a patronizing air) And then I've got to see Guizot!
SCH. Give me a goblet.
MAR. (giving him the only glass) Aye, quaff now a bumper!
SCH. (solemnly gets on to a chair and raises his glass) Have I permission, oh! my most noble courtier?
RUD. and COL. (interrupting) Stop that.
COL. No more fooling.
MAR. Stop that. No more nonsense.
COL. Give me that tumbler. (taking the glass from SCHAUNARD)
SCH. (motioning his friends to let him speak) With ardor irresistible Poetry fills my spirit.
COL. and MAR. (yelling) No.
SCH. (complacently) Then something choreographic may suit you!
RUD., MAR. and COL. Yes, yes! (Amid applause they surround Schaunard and make him get off the chair.)
SCH. Some dancing, accompanied by singing?
COL. Well, clear the stage for action. (Moving chairs and tables aside, they prepare for a dance; they suggest various dances.)
COL. Gavotte.
MAR. Minuet.
RUD. Pavanella.
SCH. (imitating a Spanish measure) Fandango.
COL. I vote we dance quadrilles first. (the others approve)
RUD. Now take your partners.
COL. I'll lead it. (pretends to be very busy arranging a quadrille)
SCH. (improvising, beats time with comic pomposity of manner)
La-lera, la-lera, la-lera!
RUD. (approaching MARCEL_, and bowing very low, offers him his hand as he gallantly says_) Oh! maiden fair and gentle!
MAR. (with coy bashfulness of manner, counterfeiting a woman's voice) My modesty respect, sir, I beg you.
SCH. Lal-lera, lal-lera, lal-lera, la!
COL. (giving directions as to the figures, while RUDOLPH and
MARCEL dance the quadrille) Balancez!
MAR. (in his ordinary voice) Lal-lera, lal-lera, lal-lera!
SCH. (teasingly) First there's the Rond.
COL. No, stupid!
SCH. (with exaggerated contempt) You've manners like a clown!
COL. (offended) As I take it, you're insulting!
Draw your sword, sir!
(rushes to the fireplace and seizes the tongs)
SCH. (taking up the poker) Ready! Have at you! (preparing to receive his adversary's attack) Thy hot blood would I drink!
COL. (doing likewise) One of us shall now be gutted! (Rudolph and
Marcel stop dancing and burst out laughing.)
SCH. Now get a stretcher ready.
COL. And get a grave-yard, too.
(SCHAUNARD and COLLINE fight.)
RUD. and MAR. (gaily) While they beat each other's brains out, Our fandango we will finish. (They dance round the combatants, whose blows fall faster. The door opens and Musetta enters in a state of great agitation.)
MAR. (amazed) Musetta! (All anxiously cluster round Musetta)
MUS. (hoarsely) 'Tis Mimi—'tis Mimi who is with me—And is ailing!
RUD. Mimi!
MUS. She has not strength to climb the staircase. (_Through the open door RUDOLPH spies MIMI, seated on the topmost stair; he rushes to her, followed by _MARCEL.)
SCH. (_to _COLLINE) Here's the bed: we'll put her on it. (they drag the bed forward)
RUD. (_supporting MIMI and leading her towards the bed, aided by _MARCEL) There! some water!
(MUSETTA brings a glass of water and makes MIMI sip it.)
MIMI. (passionately) Oh, Rudolph!
RUD. Gently, lie down there. (gently lowers her on the bed)
MIMI. (embracing RUDOLPH) My darling Rudolph! Ah! let me stay with you!
RUD. Darling Mimi! stay here ever! (_He induces Mimi to lie down at full length on the bed, and draws the coverlet over her; he then carefully adjusts the pillow be neath her head._)
MUS. (taking the others aside and whispering to them) I heard them
saying that Mimi
Had left the rich old viscount;
And now was almost dying.
Ah! but where? After searching,
I met her alone just now,
Almost dead with exhaustion.
She murmured: "I'm dying! dying!
But listen; I want to die near him.
Maybe he's waiting!
Take me thither, Musetta!"
MAR. Hush! (MUSETTA moves farther away from MIMI.)
MIMI. I feel so much better.
All here seems just the same as ever.
(with a sweet smile)
Ah! It is all so pleasant here!
Saved from sadness,
All is gladness;
Once again new life is mine!
RUD. Lips delightful, speak again to me!
Once more enchant me!
MIMI. Ah! beloved! Ah! leave me not!
MUS. (aside to the others) What is there to give her?
MAR. and COL. Nothing!
MUS. No coffee? no wine?
MAR. (in great dejection) Nothing; the larder's empty.
SCH. (looking closely at Mimi) In an hour she'll be dead!
MIMI. I feel so cold!
If I had but my muff here!
My poor hands are simply frozen!
How shall I get them warm?
(Mimi coughs; Rudolph takes her hands in his and chafes them.)
RUD. In mine, in mine, love!
Silence! for speaking tires you.
MIMI. Tis coughing tires me.
I'm used to that, though.
(seeing RUDOLPH'S friends, she calls them by name, when they hasten
to her side)
Good-morrow, Marcel!
Schaunard, Colline, good-morrow!
All are here, as I see, glad to welcome Mimi.
RUD. Hush! Mimi, do not talk.
MIMI. I'll speak low; don't be frightened.
(SCHAUNARD and COLLINE mournfully withdraw; the former sits at the table, burying his face in his hands, the latter is a prey to sad thoughts.)
MIMI. (motioning Marcel to approach) Marcel, now believe me,
A good girl is Musetta.
MAR. (giving Musetta his hand) I know, I know.
MUS. (drawing Marcel away from Mimi, takes off her earrings and gives them to him as she whispers) Look here! sell them, And buy some tonic for her— Send for a doctor! (Mimi gradually grows drowsy; Rudolph takes a chair and sits down beside the bed.)
RUD. Keep quiet.
MIMI. You will not leave me?
RUD. No, no! (MARCEL is about to go, when Musetta stops him and takes him still further from Mimi.)
MUS. Stay, listen! Maybe, what she has asked us
Will be her last request on earth, little darling!
I'll go for the muff—I'll come with you.
MAR. How good you are, Musetta!
(MUSETTA and MARCEL hastily go out.)
COL. (who has removed his overcoat while Marcel and Musetta were
talking)
Garment antique and rusty!
A last good-bye! farewell!
Faded friend, so tried and trusty,
We must part, you and I.
For never yet your back did you bow
To rich man or mighty!
How oft,
Safe in your pockets spacious,
Have you concealed philosophers and poets!
Now that our pleasant friendship is o'er,
I would bid thee once more,
Oh! companion tried and trusty,
Farewell! farewell!
(He folds up the coat, puts it under his arm, and is about to go, but
seeing Schaunard, he approaches him, pats him on the back, and
mournfully exclaims)
Schaunard, our methods possibly may differ,
But yet two kindly acts we'll do: (pointing to the coat)
Mine's this one, and yours—leave them alone in there.
SCH. (overcome by emotion) Philosopher, you're right! 'Tis true; I'll go! (He looks about him: then, to justify his exit, he takes up the water bottle and goes out after Colline, gently closing the door. Mimi opens her eyes, and seeing that all have gone, holds out her hand to Rudolph, who affectionately kisses it.)
MIMI. Have they left us? (Rudolph nods)
To sleep I only feigned,
For I wanted to be alone with you, love.
So many things there are that I would tell you.
There is one, too, as spacious as the ocean,
As the ocean, profound, without limit:
You are my love, my all, and all my life!
(putting her arms round Rudolph's neck)
RUD. Ah! Mimi! my pretty Mimi!
MIMI. (letting her arms drop) You still think I'm pretty!
RUD. Fair as the dawn in Spring!
MIMI. No, the simile fits not; you meant to say:
Fair as the flame of sunset.
"They call me Mimi; (like an echo)
They call me Mimi, but I know not why."
RUD. (in tender, caressing tones)
Back to her nest comes the swallow in Spring-tide. (He takes out the bonnet and gives it to Mimi.)
MIMI. (gaily) Why, that's my bonnet! (motions RUDOLPH to put the
bonnet on her head)
Why, that's my bonnet!
(makes RUDOLPH sit next to her, and rests her head on his breast)
Ah! do you remember how we both went shopping
When first we fell in love?
RUD. Yes, I remember.
MIMI. This room was all in darkness!
RUD. While you, you were so frightened!
Then the key you mislaid, love.
MIMI. And to find it you went groping in the darkness.
RUD. Yes, searching, searching.
MIMI. And you, my young master,
Now I can tell you frankly,
That you soon managed to find it.
RUD. It was Fate that did help me.
MIMI. It was dark, and my blushes were unnoticed. (_faintly repeating Rudolph's words_) "Your tiny hand is frozen, Let me warm it into life!" It was dark, and my hand then you clasped— (a sudden spasm half suffocates her; she sinks back fainting)
RUD. (raising her in alarm) Oh! God! Mimi!
(_At this moment Schaunard returns, and hearing Rudolph's exclamation, hastens to the bedside._)
SCH. What now?
MIMI. (_opens her eyes and smilingly reassures Rudolph and _Schaunard) Nothing; I'm better.
RUD. (gently lowering her) Gently, for goodness' sake!
MIMI. Yes, forgive me: now it's over.
(MUSETTA and MARCEL_ cautiously enter; MUSETTA carrying a muff, and her companion a phial._)
MUS. (to RUDOLPH) Sleeping?
RUD. (approaching MARCEL) Just resting.
MAR. I have seen the doctor.
He'll come—I bade him hasten.
Here's the tonic.
(Takes a spirit lamp, and placing it upon the table, lights it.)
MIMI. Who is it?
MUS. I—Musetta. (Approaches Mimi and gives her the muff. Helped by Musetta, she sits up in bed, and, with almost infantine glee, seizes the muff)
MIMI. So soft it is and feathery!
No more will my poor fingers be frozen,
For this muff shall keep them warm. (_to _Rudolph)
Did you give me this present?
MUS. (eagerly) Yes!
MIMI. You thoughtless fellow! Thank you.
It cost you dear. (Rudolph bursts into tears)
Weep not: I'm better.
Why should you weep for me?
Here love . . . ever with you! . . .
(thrusts her hands into the muff; then she gradually grows drowsy,
gracefully nodding her head, as one who is overcome by sleep)
My hands are much warmer: now I will sleep!
(RUDOLPH,_ reassured at seeing MIMI fall asleep, gently moves away from the bedside, and motioning the others not to make any noise, approaches _MARCEL.)
RUD. What said the doctor?
MAR. He'll come.
MUS. (_who is busily heating the medicine, brought by MARCEL, over the spirit-lamp, as she unconsciously murmurs a prayer_) Oh! Mary! Blessed Virgin! Save, of thy mercy, this poor maiden! Save her, Madonna mine, from death! (Rudolph, Marcel and Schaunard_ whisper together. Every now and then Rudolph goes on tiptoe to the bed, and then rejoins his companions. Musetta, interrupting, bids Marcel place a book upright on the table, so as to shade the lamp._) Here there should be a shade, Because the lamp is flickering! Like this. (resuming her prayer) And, oh! may she recover! Madonna! holy mother! I merit not thy pardon, But our little Mimi is an angel from Heaven! (Rudolph _approaches Musetta, while Schaunard goes on tiptoe to the bedside; with a sorrowful gesture he goes back to _Marcel.)
RUD. I still have hope. Do you think it serious?
MUS. Not serious.
SCH. (hoarsely) Marcel, she is dead! (Marcel in his turn goes up to the bed, and retreats in alarm; a ray of sunshine falls through the window upon Mimi's face; Musetta points to her cloak, which, with a grateful glance, Rudolph takes, and standing upon a chair, endeavors to form a screen by stretching the cloak across the window-pane.)
COL. (quietly entering and putting some money on the table near
Musetta) How is she?
RUD. See, now! She's tranquil.
(RUDOLPH, turning round, sees MUSETTA, who makes a sign to him that the medicine is ready; getting off the chair, he is suddenly aware of the strange demeanor of MARCEL and SCHAUNARD.)
RUD. (huskily, almost in a speaking voice)
What's the meaning of this going and this coming,
And these glances so strange?
(He glances from one to the other in consternation.)
MAR. (_unable to bear up any longer, hastens to embrace Rudolph as he murmurs_) Poor fellow!
RUD. (_flings himself on Mimi's bed, lifts her up, shakes her by the hand, and exclaims in tones of anguish_) Mimi! Mimi! (he falls, sobbing, upon her lifeless form) (_Terror-stricken, MUSETTA rushes to the bed, utters a piercing cry of grief; then kneels sobbing, at the foot of the bed. SCHAUNARD, overcome, sinks back into a chair; to the left, COLLINE stands at the foot of the bed, dazed at the suddenness of this catastrophe. MARCEL, sobbing, turns his back to the footlights. The curtain slowly falls._)