MIMI. Ah me! ah me!

All is over, life and loving, All are ended!

Mimi must die!

MAR. Softly!

RUD. Want has wasted her beauty, And to bring her back to life Would need far more than love.

MAR. Nay, Rudolph, but listen!

(_Mimi's violent coughing and sobbing reveal her presence._)

RUD. Ha! Mimi! You here!

You heard, you heard me?

Swayed by each light suspicion, A trifle yet alarms me; Come, come inside here!

(_Seeks to take her into the tavern_)

MIMI. No, that odor is stifling me!

RUD. (_affectionately embracing her_) Ah, Mimi!

(_From the tavern Musetta's brazen laugh is heard._)

MAR. (_running to look through the window._) Tis Musetta that's laughing!

Laughing, flirting!

Ah! what a hussy!

I'll not allow it. (_enters the tavern impetuously_)

MIMI. (_disengaging herself from_ RUDOLPH'S _embrace._) Farewell!

RUD. (_surprised_) What! Going?

MIMI. To the home that she left At the voice of her lover.

Sad, forsaken Mimi Must turn back, heavy-hearted.

For love and her lover Are gone, and she must die, Farewell, then!

I wish you well!

Nay, listen! listen! those things, Those few old things I've left behind me, Within my trunk safely arc stored.

That bracelet of gold, The prayer-book you gave me, Pray wrap them up together in my little ap.r.o.n, And I will send to fetch them.

Yet stay! Beneath the pillow You'll find my little bonnet-- Who knows?

Maybe you'd like to keep it To remind you of our love!

Farewell! Good-bye! I wish you well!

RUD. Then, you are going to leave me?

Yes, you are going, my little Mimi?

Ah! farewell, sweet dream of love!

MIMI. Farewell! farewell!

Glad awakenings in the morning!

RUD. Farewell, our sweet love that vanished, Yet that your smile reviveth!

MIMI. (_playfully_) Farewell to jealousy and fury!

Farewell suspicion, and its bitter anguish!

RUD. Kisses sweet that, as poet, I bought back with caresses!

MIMI and RUD. Lonely in winter, With Death as sole companion!

But in glad springtime There's the sun, the glorious sun!

(_From the tavern the sound of breaking plates and gla.s.ses is heard_)

MUS. (_from within_) What d'ye mean? What d'ye mean? (_running out_)

MAR. (_from within_) You were laughing, you were flirting By the fireside with that stranger!

(_stopping on the threshold of the inn and confronting _MUSETTA)

And how you colored When I caught you in the corner!

MUS. (_defiantly_) Stuff and nonsense! all he said was: "Are you very fond of dancing?"

And, half blushing, I made answer: "I'd be dancing all day long, sir."

MAR. This is talk that only leads to things dishonest.

MUS. My own way I mean to have!

MAR. (_half menacing _MUSETTA) I will teach you better manners; Now if I catch you once more flirting--

MUS. What a bother!

Why this anger?

Why this fury?

We're not married yet, thank goodness!

MAR. You shall not do as you like, miss!

I will stop your little game!

MUS. I abhor that sort of lover Who pretends he is your husband!

MAR. I'm not going to be your blockhead, Just because you're fond of flirting!

MUS. I shall flirt just when it suits me!

MAR. You're most frivolous, Musetta!

MUS. Yes, I shall! yes, I shall!

I shall flirt just when it suits me!

MAR. You can go, and G.o.d be with you!