In the Latin Quarter. A busy crossroads with all manner of shops and vendors. To one side is the Café Momus There is a large, diverse crowd of citizens, soldiers, servant girls, boys, little girls, students, seamstresses, gendarmes, etc. The shopkeepers are standing in the doorways of their shops, shouting their wares at the tops of their voices to the multitude of customers. To one side, Rodolfo and Mimì are wandering around, detached, through the crowd. Colline is at a patchers shop; Schaunard is at an old iron dealer's, buying a pipe and a horn. Marcello is being jostled here and there at the whim of the crowd. A number of people are sitting at tables outside the Café Momus. It is evening. The shops are decorated with Chinese lanterns. The entrance to the Café is lit up by a large lamp. It's Christmas Eve.

Venders -- (variously) Oranges, dates, hot chestnuts! Trinkets, crosses, nougat! Whipped cream! Toffees! Fruit pies! Finches, Sparrows! Flowers for pretty girls! Crowds (students, seamstresses, citizens) Oh, what a crowd! Come on let's run! What a din! Hold on to me! Let us pass! The Café -- (Various customers) (shouting and calling to the waiters who are busily moving back and forth) Waiter! Here! Quickly bring me a glass! Hurry up! Beer! Something to drink!

Vendors Coconut milk! Coats! Carrots! Crowds Oh, what a crush! come on, let's get out! Schaunard (After blowing into the horn, he has been haggling over with an old iron dealer) The 'D' is flat! the 'D' is flat! How much for the pipe and horn?

Colline (With a patcher who has been sewing up a layer in an old overcoat) It's rather worn... ...but it's dignified and it's a good price. Satisfied he pays the vender, then distributes his books evenly into the many pockets of the overcoat) (Rodolfo and Mimì stroll through the crowd, arm in arm, heading towards the milliners shop)

Rodolfo -- (to Mimì) Come with me. Mimì Come for the bonnet? Rodolfo Hold on tightly to my arm. Mimì I'll cling on to you

Mimì and Rodolfo Come, let's go! They enter a milliner's shop) Marcello (Alone, he eyes up the pretty young girls. The crowd almost pushing them into his arms) I'm in the mood for calling: Which of you pretty young girls would care for a little bit of love?

Vendors Dates! Trout! A street vendor Plums from Tours! Marcello -- (to a girl) Can we strike a bargain together... A street vendor Plums from Tours! Marcello ...For just a sou I will give you my virgin heart!

(The girl passes by, laughing) Schaunard (He heads towards the Café Momus waiting for his friends: he's armed with the enormous pipe and horn that he hunted out, he watches the crowd) The crowd comes surging forward, shoving and pushing. It seems to delight in trying out mad, unfulfilled pleasures.

A few Vendors Trinkets, brooches! Dates and toffees! Vendors Flowers for the pretty girls! Colline (coming towards the Café triumphantly waving an rare old book he's found) An extraordinary bargain, it's a rare copy! A unique runic grammar book!

Schaunard Honourable chap! Marcello (arriving at the Café Momus, calling to Schaunard and Colline) To supper! Schaunard and Colline Rodolfo? Marcello He has gone into the milliner's.

Rodolfo (leaving the milliner's with Mimì) Come, our companions are waiting. Vendors Whipped cream! Mimì (pointing out to the bonnet that she carries so gracefully) Do you think this pink bonnet suits me? (Marcello, Schaunard and Colline try to see if there is a table free outside the Café in the open air, but there isn't a single one! They are all occupied by honest bourgeois. The three friends eye them with scornful glances, then enter in the Café)

Urchins Coconut milk! Vendors Ho! Fruit pies! Whipped cream! Customers at the Café Waiter! Bring a glass! Quick! hello! Ratafia! Rodolfo -- (to Mimì) You have dark hair, so that colour suits you.

Mimì (Admiring the showcase in a shop) This is a beautiful coral necklace! Rodolfo I have a millionaire uncle. If the good Lord wills it, I will buy you a necklace that is twice as beautiful! (Rodolfo and Mimì, deep in sweet conversation, get lost in the crowd)

(At one shop a vendor climbs up on a chair, and with great gestures he offers knitwear for sale, night-caps, etc. A group of boys run up to the shop and break into gleeful laughter) Urchins -- (laughing) Ha, ha, ha, etc Students and seamstresses (running up to the urchins, laughing) Ha, ha! ha!

Citizens (women) Let's go with the crowd! (men) Look out, girls! Let's go by Mazarin street! (women) What a din! What crowds! I'm suffocating let's go. Look, the Café is just here! Come, let's go to Momus's. (They enter the Café) Vendors Oranges, dates, trinkets, flowers!

(Many people enter from every part of the large square, they all assemble together. Colline, Schaunard and Marcello come out of the Café carrying a table; a waiter follows them with chairs. The bourgeois at the nearby table, become annoyed at the din made by the three friends, after a little time they go. Rodolfo and Mimì approach, Mimì watches a group of students)

Rodolfo (with sweet reproach, to Mimì) Who are you looking at? Colline I hate such common crowds, I'm sure as much as Horace did. Mimì -- (to Rodolfo) Are you jealous? Rodolfo Suspicion lurks not far away, waiting to pounce on a happy man.

Schaunard -- (to Colline) I intend to satisfy myself, so I need plenty of space. Mimì -- (to Rodolfo) Are you happy? Marcello -- (to the waiter) We would like a delicious supper. Rodolfo -- (passionately to Mimì) Oh yes! Very happy! and you? Mimì Yes, very happy!

Students and seamstresses -- (a few) There's Café Momus! Let's go! (enter the Café) Marcello, Schaunard and Colline (To the waiters, one running into the Café, whilst the other one comes out with all that's necessary to prepare the table) Be quick! (Rodolfo and Mimì arrive at Café Momus)

The voice of Parpignol -- (in the distance) Here comes Parpignol with his toys! Rodolfo (joining his friends at the Café and presenting Mimì) Two places. Colline Finally!

Rodolfo Here we are. This is Mimì, my cheerful flower-maker. By joining us for supper she'll complement our fine party. Because I am a poet and she is a poem. Poems of love songs bloom in my mind; from her fingers flower buds blossom forth; and our jubilant spirits bloom with love.

Marcello, Colline and Schaunard (laughing) Ha, ha, ha, ha! Marcello -- (ironically) Heavens, what rare notions! Colline -- (solemnly pointing at Mimi) 'Digna est intrari'. Schaunard -- (with comic authority) 'lngrediat si necessit'. Colline I'll allow, but one: accessit.

(They all seat themselves around the table, meanwhile the waiter returns) The voice of Parpignol -- (nearer) Here comes Parpignol with his toys! Colline (Seeing the waiter, he calls with emphasis) Sausage.

(The waiter presents a list of dishes. It passes among the hands of the four friends, they look at it with a kind of deeply analyzed admiration) (From Delfino street comes a cart covered with frills and flowers, illuminated by lanterns. Pushing it is Parpignol, the popular vendor of toys. A crowd of boys follows it, gleefully hopping. They surround the cart admiring the toys)

Boys and girls Parpignol! Parpignol! Here's Parpignol! Parpignol! With his cart decorated with flowers! Here's Parpignol! Parpignol! (variously) I want the trumpet, the little horse! The drum, the tambourine.... I want the gun, I want the whip! The platoon of soldiers! Schaunard - (to the waiter) Roast Venison!

Marcello (examining the menu and ordering in a loud voice to the waiter) A Turkey! Schaunard Wine from the Rhine Valley Colline Table wine! Schaunard Dressed lobster!

(The children and boys, surround Parpignol's cart; gesturing with great excitement. A group of mothers hasten in their search of the boys, and search around Parpignol's cart. Scolding, one takes her son by the hand, another wants to lead her child, they threat, they scold, but to no avail. The children and boys do not want to leave) Mothers (To the children, screaming and threatening)

You pack of scoundrels, why are you still here? Off with you, go home to bed! Away with you, you naughty little creatures! A good clout means nothing to you! Home to bed, you pack of scoundrels, to bed with you! A boy -- (Whimpering) I want the trumpet and the little horse...

(The mothers, understanding their children, decide to buy from Parpignol themselves. The boys jump for joy, and seize the toys. Parpignol heads towards the via Commedia. The children happily follow, marching and pretending to play the toy instruments they have acquired)

Rodolfo And you Mimi, what would you like? Mimì Creme-custard. Schaunard -- (to the waiter) And make it a splendid supper. We have a lady with us! Children and boys -- (from inside) Hurrah for Parpignol! Parpignol! Parpignol! (further away) The drum, the tambourine! The platoon of soldiers!

Marcello (Continuing his speech) Mademoiselle Mimì, pray tell us what rare gift has your Rodolfo given you? Mimì (taking the bonnet out of its package to show everyone)

A pink bonnet, trimmed with lace, and prettily embroidered. With my dark hair it will suit me nicely! I've been wanting a bonnet like this for a long time, and he read what my heart desired. Someone who can read into the secrets of one's heart knows the treasures of love, and is very clever.

Schaunard An expert in the matter... Colline (Continuing the idea of Schaunard) ... he already has some diplomas, and his rhymes are not the first attempts... Schaunard -- (interrupting) ....so much so that what he expresses convinces... Marcello -- (watching Mimì) Oh, the sweet years of illusions and utopias, of hope, faith and trust in love and beauty.

Rodolfo The most divine poetry, my friend, are those which speak to us of love! Mimì For love is even sweeter than honey! Marcello -- (annoyed) To some it can taste far more bitter than honey!... Mimì -- (surprised: to Rodolfo) Oh, heavens! Have I offended his feelings!

Rodolfo He's grieving, my Mimì. Schaunard and Colline (in order to change the discussion) Let's be cheerful and make a toast! Marcello -- (to the waiter) Here! bring something to drink. Mimì, Rodolfo and Marcello (Standing) Away with worries and sorrows, raise your glasses! Let's Drink!

All Let's Drink! Marcello (interrupting, because he has seen Musetta not far away) I'd should really drink poison! (Falling back on the chair)

(From the corner of the Via Mazzarino, a beautiful and richly dressed Mademoiselle appears. Following behind her is a large pompous, gentleman . She takes pleasure in Provoking him) Rodolfo, Schaunard and Colline (with surprise watching Musetta) Oh! Marcello Her! Rodolfo, Schaunard and Colline Musetta!

Shop women -- (Watching Musetta) Oh! its her, Yes its her! Musetta! We're honoured! What a fancy gown! Alcindoro -- (Breathless) I'm like a porter... running here, there and everywhere... No, no! I cannot put up with it any more!.. Musetta (with expressive steps, she trips along glancing here and there as if trying to get some attention, while Alcindoro follows her, breathless and irritable) (calling as if to a small dog)

Come along Lulu! Come Lulu! Alcindoro ...I can't put up with any more! Schaunard That ugly old individual appears to be sweating! (Musetta sees the group of friends at their table in front of Café Momus. She indicates to Alcindoro to sit down at the vacant table to the left of the bohemians)

Alcindoro -- (to Musetta) What! Here outside? Here? Musetta Sit Lulu! Alcindoro displeased he sits down, raising the collar of his overcoat and mutters) I beg you to only use such nicknames for more intimate moments! (a waiter approaches and prepares the table)

Musetta Don't be such a Bluebeard! (she sits down at the table facing towards the Café) Colline -- (examining the old one) Dignified and deficient... Marcello -- (with contempt) ...Together with his chaste Susanna! Mimì -- (to Rodolfo) She's beautifully dressed though! Rodolfo All the angels go naked.

Mimì -- (with curiosity) Do you know her? Who is she? Marcello -- (to Mimì) Demand that of me! Her name is Musetta; Her last name is temptation! Her favourite pastime is changing her lovers. She behaves like a windvane that turns when the wind blows. And like a vulture she loves to prey, her blood thirsty diet is the heart... she devours the heart!... That's why I no longer have one! Pass me the stew!

Musetta (stricken to see that the friends are not watching her) Marcello has seen me... The beast won't look at me! (increasingly irritated) That Schaunard is laughing! They vex me so much! If only I could hit them! If only I could scratch them! But I've got my hands full with this old pelican! Just wait! (calling out) Here! Waiter! (the waiter runs up: Musetta picks up the plate and sniffs it)

Waiter! This plate smells of frying! (She throws the plate to the ground with force, the waiter hurries to collect the broken crockery) Alcindoro No, Musetta... Quiet, quiet! Musetta (seeing that Marcello does not turn) (to herself) He's not turning round!

Alcindoro -- (with comic despair) Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! Behave yourself, where are your manners?! Musetta Ah, he won't turn round! Alcindoro Who are you talking to?... Colline This chicken is a like poem! Musetta -- (furiously) Now I'm going to hit him, I'll hit him!

Alcindoro Who are you talking to?... Schaunard The wine is delicious! Musetta (annoyed, to Alcindoro) To the waiter! Don't be such a bore! I'll do as I please... Alcindoro Talk softly! Talk softly! (Taking the menu from the waiter, and ordering the supper)

Musetta ... I'll do as I please! Don't be such a bore! Seamstresses (Crossing the scene, they stop for a moment seeing Musetta) Look, look who it is, Musetta herself! Students (Crossing the scene) With that stammering old one! Girls and students In person, Musetta, herself! (laughing) Ha, ha, ha, ha!

Musetta -- (to herself) Could he be jealous of this old fogey? Alcindoro The convenience... the degree... your virtue.. Musetta Let me see if I still have enough influence over him to make him yield! Schaunard What a stupendous travesty! Musetta (speaking aloud whilst watching Marcello) You don't look at me!

Alcindoro (Believing that Musetta's words were for him, he tries to please her and answers to them seriously) You see how well I order!... Schaunard What a stupendous travesty! Colline Stupendous! Rodolfo -- (to Mimì) Know this now, for your future knowledge that I would never find it in me to forgive constantly.

Schaunard She deliberately speaks to one so the other one will hear. Mimì -- (to Rodolfo) Ah! but I love you very much and will be yours forever! Why do you speak to me about forgiveness? Colline -- (to Schaunard) And the other vain and cruel... feigns understanding, but suggests you're mine!. Musetta -- (to Marcello) But your heart thumps! Alcindoro Talk softly! Musetta (Still for the attention of Marcello)

When I stroll out alone along the street. The people stop and gaze at me, to seek out my beauty from from head to toe... Marcello (To his friends, in a suppressed voice) Tie me to the chair! Alcindoro -- (on tenterhooks) What will those people say?

Musetta ...and then I taste the sly desire that gleams from admiring eyes. They can see all my beauty which lies concealed in my heart, perceived from my outward charms. (rising) So, this scent of ardent desire surrounds me and fills me with pleasure!... Alcindoro He approaches Musetta, trying to keep her quiet) That scurrilous song sickens me! It makes me bilious!

Musetta ...and you who know, who remember and fret, you flee from me like this? I know very well you will not speak of your anguish.... and yet I sense you feel ready to die! Mimì (To Rodolfo, her phrases punctuating those of Musetta as accompaniment) I see very well that this poor girl is so much in love, passionately in love with Marcello, she's passionately in love!

(Schaunard and Colline raise and leave the table. They stand to one side, observing the scene with curiosity. Rodolfo and Mimì remain seated alone, talking with tenderness. Marcello, who becomes more nervous has left his place. He tries to leave altogether, but is not able to resist the voice of Musetta)

Alcindoro -- (to Musetta) What will those people say! Rodolfo -- (to Mimì) Marcello really loves her... Schaunard Ah! Marcello will surrender! Rodolfo -- (to Mimì) ...The minx abandoned him... to enjoy the good life. (Alcindoro uselessly tries to persuade Musetta to resume her place at the table, where the supper is now ready)

Colline Who knows what will happen! Schaunard Deception is a sweet tie... Colline Good Heavens, such bother...? Schaunard ... to the one who offers it. Colline ...but Colline will never succumb! Musetta Ah! Marcello is craving...

Alcindoro Speak softly! Quiet, quiet! Musetta ...Marcello is gained! I know full well you won't admit your anguish! Alcindoro Manners, curtesy! Quiet, quiet! Musetta -- (to Alcindoro) I want to please myself, I'll do whatever I like! Don't be a bore! Don't be a bore!

Mimì I feel unhappy for her, poor thing! Colline I'm not blind, I can see she's pretty, but it would give me more pleasure to have a pipe and a Greek text... They would give me more pleasure! Mimì -- (squeezing up to Rodolfo) I love you! I feel unhappy for her, poor thing! A selfish love is a sad love! I feel unhappy for her, poor thing! Rodolfo (encircling Mimì's waist) Mimì! It's a fragile love that cannot avenge sufferings! A smothered love is never revived!

Schaunard Those brave at the moment will yield! What a stupendous travesty! Marcello will yield! (to Colline) If a person like that were to attract you in a dalliance you'd send all your rule of conduct to the Devil! Musetta -- (to herself) Now I must free myself of the old fossil! (She tries new tactics by pretending to have a awful pain in her foot) Ouch!

Alcindoro What's wrong? Musetta What an awful pain! What stinging! Alcindoro Where? (He bends down to loosen Musetta's shoe) Musetta (showing her foot in flirtatious way) In my foot! Untie it! Unlace it! Break it, rip it! Please I implore you! There's a cobbler down the street. Quickly, run, fetch me another pair!

Alcindoro Imprudence! Musetta Ouch! What a fit, confound this tight shoe! Alcindoro What are people going to say? Marcello (extremely affected, advances) Youthful desire, you are not yet dead, the memory of you haunts me still! Schaunard and Colline, then Rodolfo What a stupendous travesty!

Marcello If you were to come knocking on my door my heart would run to open it! Musetta (taking off her shoe and placing it on the table) Now I'll take it off! Alcindoro (trying to detain Musetta) But my position...

Musetta There it is! Mimì I can see very well that she's passionately in love with Marcello! Alcindoro ... Do you wish me to compromise it? Wait! Musetta! I'll go! (He promptly hides Musetta's shoe in his waistcoat then buttons up his coat) Musetta -- (impatiently) Run, go on, run along! Hurry, go, go!

(Alcindoro goes off down the street hastily) (Musetta and Marcello embrace with great passion) Musetta Marcello! Marcello Siren! Schaunard Now we have come to the final scene! (a waiter approaches with the bill) Rodolfo, Schaunard and Colline (Together with Mimì they all jump up in surprise) The bill?

Schaunard So soon? Colline Did we request it? Schaunard -- (to the waiter) Show me! (After looking at the bill, he passes it to his friends) Colline and Rodolfo (observing the account) It's a high cost! (In the distance the Tattoo is heard, they advance little by little)

Urchins (Running from the right) The Tattoo! Seamstresses, students (hastily running out of cafe Momus) The Tattoo! Rodolfo, Schaunard, Colline (emptying their pockets) Get all your money out! Schaunard Colline, Rodolfo, and you, Marcello?

Marcello There's hardly anything left, we're nearly broke! Schaunard What? You can't be! Rodolfo Thirty pennies is all I've got! Marcello, Schaunard and Colline (astounded) What! No more left? Schaunard But what happened to my good fortune?

Musetta -- (to the waiter) Give me my bill. (the waiter shows her the bill) Good! Now quickly add this to my bill! (the waiter adds the two bills together to make one sum) The old Gentleman who was with me earlier will pay! Rodolfo, Marcello, Schaunard and Colline (pointing out the way Alcindoro went)

The Gentleman will pay you! Colline The old Gentleman will pay you! Schaunard The old Gentleman will pay you! Marcello ...The old Gentleman! Musetta (The waiter places the modified bill on the table at Alcindoro's place) So when he returns to where he was sitting, he will find a calling card from me!

Rodolfo, Marcello, Schaunard and Colline So when he returns to where he was sitting, he will find a greeting from us! Citizens (Rushing from the left, the Tattoo still in the distance. People run from one side to the other of the scene; watching to see which street the soldiers will advance from) The Tattoo! Urchins They're coming this way!? (trying to turn around etc) Seamstresses, students No, that way! Urchins (indecisively, indicating the opposite side)

They're coming that way! Seamstresses, students They're coming this way! (Several windows are opened, mothers with their boys appear on the balconies and anxiously watch from which way the Tattoo will arrive) Citizens, vendors -- (a few) Make way! Children (some from the windows) I want to see! I want to hear! Mama, I want to see! I want to hear, Papa! I want to see the Tattoo!

Mothers (some, from the windows) Lisetta, will you keep quiet! Tonio, will you stop it! Be quiet, will you stop it! (The crowd swarms in from everywhere. The Tattoo is approaching from the left, getting closer by the minute) Seamstresses, women They're coming that way! The crowd and saleswomen Yes, this way! Urchins When they arrive we will follow and march with them!

Marcello Here comes the Tattoo! Marcello and Colline Watch the old one doesn't see us escape with his prey! Marcello, Schaunard and Colline This thick crowd has already prepared us a hiding place! Mimì, Musetta, Rodolfo, Marcello, Schaunard and Colline Quickly, quickly, quickly!

Vendors (after they have closed their shops they come out into the street) Harken to the drum rolls, it makes one feel patriotic! (Everyone looks towards the left, the Tattoo appears at the crossroads, then the crowd withdraws and divides up to form two rows from left to right, while the friends - with Musetta and Mimì - form a group near the Café ready to leave.) Crowd Make way, here they come! Get in a row!

(The Tattoo enters from the left, the Soldier's are preceded by a gigantic drum-major, who handles his mace with skill and solemnity; indicating the way to go) The crowd and vendors Here's the drum-major! Prouder than an old war-horse! The drum-major! The drum-major! The Sappers, the Sappers, hooray! The Tattoo is here! Here comes the fine drum-major! The golden mace all splendid! He looks around, passes and is gone!

(The Tattoo crosses the scene. Having only one shoe Musetta is unable to walk, so she is lifted up by the arms of Marcello and Colline. All the bystanders follow the Tattoo; the crowd seeing Musetta's incapacity triumphantly give a clamorous ovation) (Marcello and Colline together with Musetta put themselves in trail of the Tattoo. Gladly following them are Rodolfo and Mimì arm in arm, Schaunard with his horn, students, seamstresses, then boys, and women all march instep) (Everyone follows the soldier's of the Tattoo)

Rodolfo, Marcello, Schaunard and Colline Hurrah for Musetta! Her heart full of mischief! Glory and honour, honour and glory. Musetta of the Latin Quarter! The crowd and vendors There he is, all splendid! In all of France there's no finer man. The fine drum-major! There he is! He looks around, passes and is gone! (Shouts come from the crowds that are still inside) (Meanwhile Alcindoro carrying a fine pair of new shoes returns. He heads towards the Café Momus looking for Musetta. A nearby waiter, ceremoniously presents the bill to Alcindoro, who is so stunned to see the sum is more than it should be, falls off of his chair with astonishment)