MIMI. (_after some hesitation_) They call me Mimi But my name is Lucia; My story is a short one-- Fine satin stuffs or silk I deftly embroider; I am content and happy; The rose and lily I make for pastime.

These flowers give me pleasure As in magical accents They speak to me of love, Of beauteous springtime.

Of fancies and of visions bright they tell me, Such as poets, and only poets, know.

Do you hear me?

RUD. Yes!

MIMI. They call me Mimi, But I know not why; All by myself I take my frugal supper, To Ma.s.s not oft repairing, Yet oft I pray to G.o.d.

In my room live I lonely, Up at the top there, in my little chamber Above the house tops so lofty.

Yet the glad sun first greets me; After the frost is over Spring's first, sweet, fragrant kiss is mine, Her first bright sunbeam is mine, A rose as her petals are opening Do I tenderly cherish. Ah! what a charm Lies for me in her fragrance!

Alas! those flowers I make, The flowers I fashion, alas! they have no perfume!

More than just this I cannot find to tell you, I'm a tiresome neighbor that at an awkward moment intrudes upon you.

SCH. (_from below_) Eh! Rudolph!

COL. Rudolph!

MAR. Hallo! you hear not?

Don't dawdle!

(_At the shouts of his friends_ RUDOLPH _is annoyed._)

COL. Poetaster, come!

SCH. What has happened, idler?

(_Getting more annoyed_ RUDOLPH _opens the window to answer his friends; the moonlight enters, brightening the room._)

RUD. I have still three lines to finish.

MIMI. (_approaching the window_) Who are they?

RUD. My friends.

SCH. You will know they're yours.

MAR. What do you there, so lonely?

RUD. I'm not lonely. We are two.

So to Momus go on.

There keep us places; we will follow quickly.

(_Remains still at the window to make sure of his friends going._)

MAR., SCH. and COL. (_gradually departing_) Momus, Momus, Momus!

Gently and soft to supper let us go.

MAR. And poetry let flow.

SCH. and COL. Momus, Momus, Momus!

(MIMI _goes nearer the window, so that the moon's rays fall on her while_ RUDOLPH _contemplates her ecstatically._)

RUD. Lovely maid in the moonlight!

MAR. And poetry let flow.

RUD. Your face entrancing.

Like radiant seraph from on high appears!

The dream that I would ever, ever dream, returns.

RUD.

MIMI.

Love alone o'er hearts has sway Heart to heart and soul to soul

Ah Love! to thee do we surrender.

Love binds us in his fetters.

(_yielding to her lover's (_placing his arm around MIMI_ embrace_) Love now shall rule our hearts

Sweet to my soul the magic voice alone,

Of love its music chanteth, Life's fairest flower is love!

Life's fairest flower is love!

Life's fairest flower is love!

(RUDOLPH _kisses her._)

MIMI. (_disengaging herself_) No, I pray you!

RUD. My sweetheart!

MIMI. Your comrades await you!

RUD. Do you then dismiss me?

MIMI. I should like--no, I dare not!

RUD. Say!

MIMI. (coquettishly) Could I not come with you?

RUD. What, Mimi?

It would be much more pleasant here to stay.

Outside 'tis chilly!

MIMI. To you I'll be neighbor! I'll be always near you.

RUD. On returning?

MIMI. (archly) Who knows, sir?

RUD. Take my arm, my little maiden!

MIMI. (giving her arm to RUDOLPH) I obey you, my lord!

(They go, arm in arm, to the door.)

RUD. You love me? Say!