Libretto: La Boheme Part 11

MUS. (_disconcerted at not being noticed by her friends_) Marcel can see me, But he won't look, the villain!

And Schaunard!

They provoke me past bearing!

Ah! could I but beat them!

If I could, I would scratch!

But I only have to back me This old pelican!

No matter! (_calls the waiter who has gone away_) Hi! waiter, here! (_the waiter hurriedly approaches_) See, this plate has a horrid smell of onions!

(_dashes the plate on the ground; the waiter picks up the pieces_)

ALC. Don't, Musetta! do be quiet!

MUS. (_irritated, still watching MARCEL_) He won't look round! Now I could beat him!

ALC. What's the matter?

MUS. (_sharply_) I meant the waiter!

ALC. Manners! Manners!

(_Takes the bill from the waiter and orders the supper._)

MUS. (_more irritated_) Such a bore!

Just let me have my own way.

If you please; I won't be ruled by you!

MIMI. (_looking curiously at RUDOLPH_) Do you know who she is?

MAR. You had better ask me.

Well, her name is Musetta Her surname is Temptation.

As to her vocation: Like a rose in the breezes, So she changes lover for lover without number.

And like the spiteful screech owl, A bird that's most rapacious, The food that most she favors is the heart!

Her food the heart is; Thus have I now none left!

(_to his friends, concealing his agitation_) So pa.s.s me the ragout!

SCH. (_to COLLINE_) Now the fun's at its climax, To one she speaks because the other listens.

COL. (_to SCHAUNARD_) The other will not hear, Feigns not to see the girl: which makes her mad.

RUD. (_to MIMI_) Now let me tell you I never would forgive you.

MIMI. (_to RUDOLPH_) I love you, love you fondly, Am wholly yours, my dearest! (_eating_)

COL. What's that about forgiveness?

(_coquettishly watching MARCEL, who becomes agitated_)

MUS. (_watching MARCEL; in a loud voice to MARCEL_) Why, don't you know me?

ALC. (_thinking MUSETTA spoke to him_) Well, I'm giving the order, dear.

MUS. (_as above_) But your heart is a-throbbing!

ALC. (_as above_) Not so loud.

MUS. (_to herself_) But your heart is a-throbbing!

ALC. Do be quiet!

MUS. As through the streets I wander onward merrily, See how the folk look round, Because they know I'm charming, A very charming girl.

And then 'tis mine to mark the hidden longing, And all the pa.s.sion in their eyes; And then the joy of conquest overcomes me, Every man is my prize!

And thus their hearts, their hearts I capture, As if by magic all my own, ah! rapture!

Tis mine alone!

Now you that once your love for me betrayed, Why should you be dismayed?

Yet though deep in your heart Rankles the smart.

You'd ne'er confess--but rather die!

(_SCHAUNARD and COLLINE rise and stand aside, watching the scene with interest, while RUDOLPH and MIMI remain seated and continue their talk. MARCEL nervously quits his seat, and is about to go, but is spell-bound by MUSETTA'S voice._)

ALC. This odious singing upsets me entirely!

(_ALCINDORO vainly endeavors to induce MUSETTA to resume her seat at the table where the supper is ready._)

MIMI. (_to RUDOLPH_) Oh! now I see that this unhappy maiden Adores your friend Marcel madly!

RUD. She once was Marcel's love; She wantonly forsook her fate, And rarer game she thought to capture!

MIMI. The love that's born of pa.s.sion ends in grief; That poor, unhappy girl!

She moves me to tears!

RUD. Who can revive a love that's dead?

MAR. Hold me back! hold me back!

COL. Who knows what will happen now?

Goodness me! 'tis most unpleasant!

Anyhow, it is for me!

She is pretty, I don't doubt it; Yet I would rather have My pipe and a page of Homer!

SCH. See the braggart in a moment will give in; The snare for some is pleasant, For the biter and the bit.

(_to COLLINE_)

If such a pretty damsel Should but make eyes at you, You'd forget your mouldy cla.s.sics, And run to fetch her shoe.

MUS. Ah! Marcel you are vanquished!

And though your heart is breaking, You'd never let us know, (_feigning great regret_) (I must try to get rid of the old boy.) Oh! dear!

ALC. What now?