Bohemia; or, La Bohème. Henry Murger

is too short.

      Marcel

      If the chosen mistress,

      Who by luck loves us

      And makes our poetry bloom

      With the flame of her glance,

      Knowing her taste for being beautiful,

      Without causing us pain—

      Let’s love her all the same—sweet infidel.

      Youth is too short.

      Chorus

      Our future must shine

      In the sun of our twenty years.

      Let’s love and sing together,

      Youth is too short.

      Musette

      Since the most beautiful things,

      Love affairs and beauty

      Like lilies and roses,

      Have only the season of Summer,

      When May in flowering arbors

      Drapes the green flag of Spring,

      Let’s love and sing some more.

      Youth is very short.

      Chorus

      Our future must shine

      In the sun of our twenty years.

      Let’s love and sing together,

      Youth is too short.

      Baptiste (at the back, utters a scream)

      Ah!

      All

      What is it?

      Baptiste

      Monsieur Durandin! Monsieur Durandin! I notice his carriage—and quick—quick!

      Marcel

      The devil!

      Schaunard

      Let’s help the waiter.

      (Schaunard puts a bottle in his pocket. Phemie puts cakes and fruits in her pockets.)

      Rodolphe

      Gentlemen! I am desolated! But—

      (All fill the hamper which they carry behind the pavilion.)

      Marcel

      We understand perfectly.

      Rodolphe

      We will see each other again soon. There’s time to pack my suitcase and not to embrace my uncle.

      Colline (in the back)

      The carriage is approaching.

      Rodolphe

      Wait for me in the little wood that adjoins the garden.

      Phemie

      But, which way to leave?

      Baptiste

      Not by the door.

      Musette

      Over the wall.

      Marcel

      Doubtless.

      Baptiste

      The carriage is entering the courtyard.

      Musette and Phemie

      Save yourself if you can!

      (Musette and Phemie go over the balustrade. Marcel shakes Rodolphe’s hand and jumps in his turn. Colline stops and returns.)

      Colline

      Ah! My God! I’ve forgotten my books.

      Schaunard

      You will take them another time.

      (Colline vanishes.)

      Schaunard

      Say, Monsieur Rodolphe, I left a chicken leg.

      Rodolphe

      That doesn’t matter.

      (Schaunard disappears.)

      Baptiste (looking to the right)

      Just in time.

      Rodolphe

      They’re already far away. Now it’s a question of finding an honest way to leave here.

      Baptiste

      Ah! My God! Monsieur Million seems so agitated.

      Rodolphe

      Heavens, he’s alone.

      Baptiste

      It’s true. Here he is.

      Durandin (coming in from the right)

      Ah! My friend! My dear nephew.

      Rodolphe

      What’s the matter with you, Uncle?

      Durandin

      What an adventure! Madame de Rouvre—

      Rodolphe

      You are terrifying me!

      Durandin

      Getting out of the carriage—she sprained her ankle.

      Rodolphe

      Where is she?

      Durandin

      At the Lion Inn—a terrible inn.

      Rodolphe (aside)

      Ah! Now, there’s my way out. (aloud, uneasily) What! Madame de Rouvre will be deprived of those thousand little nothings to which she’s become accustomed! Uncle, I am taking your carriage.

      (Rodolphe passes near Baptiste.)

      Durandin (aside)

      He’s going there.

      Rodolphe (to Baptiste)

      Ah! Baptiste—a suitcase, some linen, plates, my books to distract her—don’t forget anything. (low) Don’t forget my pipes.

      Baptiste

      Where are we going?

      Rodolphe (low)

      To Bohemia. (aloud) Go—run!

      (Baptiste leaves by the right.)

      Rodolphe (to Durandin)

      Goodbye, Uncle.

      Durandin

      Goodbye, my boy.

      (Rodolphe leaves quickly by the right.)

      Durandin (alone, rubbing his hands)

      The trick succeeded. Now we know what we’ve got. He loves her like a madman. It’s true what they say—what a woman wants, God wants. (a carriage can be heard leaving) Gone already!

      Chorus (heard from off)

      Our future must shine

      In the sun of our twenty years.

      Let’s love and sing together,

      Youth is too short.

      Durandin

      What’s that? (runs to the back and looks over the balustrade) Ah! My God, he tricked me.

      CURTAIN