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)