Libretto: La Boheme Part 10

(_Enter PARPIGNOL from the Rue Dauphin, pushing a barrow festooned with foliage, flowers and paper lanterns._)

PAR. (_crying_) Who'll buy some pretty toys from Parpignol?

CHILDREN, (_crowding and jumping round the barrow_) Parpignol! Parpignol!

With his pretty barrow bright with flowers!

(_admiring the toys_)

I want the horn! and I the horse!

Get away, they are mine!

I want the gun! and I the whip!

No, the drum shall be mine!

(_At the cries of the children, the mothers try, but without success, to lead them away from PARPIGNOL, scolding loudly_.)

MOTHERS.

Ah! wait a bit, you dirty little rascals.

What can it be that sets you all a-gaping?

Get home to your beds, get home, lazy rascals, Or you shall all have a tidy beating.

(_The children refuse to go. One of them cries for Parpignol'S toys and his mother pulls his ear. The mothers, relenting, buy some.

Parpignol moves down the street, followed by the children, pretending to play on their toy instruments_.)

PAR. (_in the distance_) Who'll buy some pretty toys of Parpignol!

(_The waiter presents the menu, which the four friends carefully scrutinize in turn._)

SCH. Bring some venison.

MAR. I'll have turkey.

RUD. (_in an undertone to MIMI_) Mimi, what would you like?

MIMI. Some custard!

SCH. And some Rhenish!

COL. Bring some claret, too!

SCH. And some lobster, only sh.e.l.l it!

The best you've got--for a lady!

MAR. (_disconcerted at the sight of MUSETTA; to the waiter_)

And I'll have a phial of poison! (_throwing himself on a chair_)

SCH., COL. and RUD. (_turning on hearing MARCEL'S exclamation_)

Oh! Musetta!

(_the friends look pityingly at MARCEL, who turns pale_)

(_The shopwomen are going away, but stop to watch the fair stranger, and are astonished to recognize in her MUSETTA; they whisper among themselves, pointing at her._)

Look! 'tis Musetta!

She!

Musetta!

'Tis she!

Yes!

Yes!

'Tis Musetta!

Oh! what swagger!

My! she's gorgeous.

(_entering their shops_)

STUDENTS and WORK GIRLS (_crossing the stage_) Only look! why, there she is!

Some old stammering dotard's with her, too!

Yes, 'tis she!

Tis she!

Musetta!

(_Enter from the corner of the Rue Mazarin an extremely pretty coquettish-looking young lady. She is followed by a pompous old gentleman, who is both fussy and over-dressed._)

ALCINDORO DE MITONNEAUX. (_joining _MUSETTA_, out of breath_) Just like a valet I must run here and there.

No, no, not for me!

I can stand it no more.

(MUSETTA_ without noticing_ ALCINDORO_, takes a vacant seat, outside the cafe._) How now? Outside? Here?

MUS. (_without noticing his protests, he fearing to remain outside in the cold_) Sit down, Lulu!

ALC. (_in great irritation, sits down, and turns up his coat collar_) Such a term of fond endearment Pray do not apply to me!

MUS. Now, don't be Blue Beard, pray!

(_A waiter approaches briskly, to prepare the table and begins to serve. _SCHAUNARD_ and _COLLINE_ furtively watch _MUSETTA_. _MARCEL_ feigns the greatest indifference. _RUDOLPH_ devotes all his attention to _MIMI_._)

SCH. (_at the sight of the old gentleman with his decorations_) He's had a pretty good dose, I reckon.

COL. (_scrutinizing _ALCINDORO) The naughty, naughty elder!

MAR. (_contemptuously_) With his good young Susanna.

MIMI. (_to _RUDOLPH) And her clothes are smart, too!

RUD. The angels can't afford them.

(_A piquet of the National Guard pa.s.ses across the square; some shop-keepers go home; at the corner of the street the chestnut-seller does a thriving trade; the old clothes dealer fills her barrel with clothes, and goes away with it over her shoulder._)