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 glasses 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.
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!
MUS. Yes, I shall! yes, I shall! I shall flirt just when it suits me!
MUS. Musetta's going away; Yes, going away!
(_She retreats in a fury, but suddenly stops._)
MUS. (_shouting_) Go back and paint your house front!
RUD. As comrades you've lilies and roses.
MIMI. Forth from each nest Comes a murmur of birdlets!
RUD. and MIMI. When the hawthorn-bough's in blossom, When we have the glorious sun, Murmur the silver fountains, The breezes of the evening Waft fragrant balsams To the world and its sorrow. Shall we await another spring?
MIMI. (_moving away with _RUDOLPH) Always yours forever!
RUD. _and_ MIMI. Our time for parting's when the roses blow!
MIMI. Ah! that our winter might last forever!
RUD. _and_ MIMI. Our time for parting's when the roses blow!
"At that period, indeed, for some time past, the friends had led lonely lives.
"Musetta had once more become a sort of semi-official personage; for three or four months Marcel had never met her.