COL. (who has removed his overcoat while Marcel and Musetta were
talking)
Garment antique and rusty! 
A last good-bye! farewell! 
Faded friend, so tried and trusty,
We must part, you and I.
For never yet your back did you bow
To rich man or mighty! 
How oft,
Safe in your pockets spacious,
Have you concealed philosophers and poets! 
Now that our pleasant friendship is o’er,
I would bid thee once more,
Oh! companion tried and trusty,
Farewell! farewell!
(He folds up the coat, puts it under his arm, and is about to go, but
seeing Schaunard, he approaches him, pats him on the back, and
mournfully exclaims)
Schaunard, our methods possibly may differ,
But yet two kindly acts we’ll do:  (pointing to the coat)
Mine’s this one, and yours—­leave them alone in there.

SCH. (overcome by emotion) Philosopher, you’re right!  ’Tis true; I’ll go! (He looks about him:  then, to justify his exit, he takes up the water bottle and goes out after Colline, gently closing the door.  Mimi opens her eyes, and seeing that all have gone, holds out her hand to Rudolph, who affectionately kisses it.)

MIMI.  Have they left us? (Rudolph nods)
To sleep I only feigned,
For I wanted to be alone with you, love. 
So many things there are that I would tell you. 
There is one, too, as spacious as the ocean,
As the ocean, profound, without limit: 
You are my love, my all, and all my life!
(putting her arms round Rudolph’s neck)

RUD.  Ah!  Mimi! my pretty Mimi!

MIMI. (letting her arms drop) You still think I’m pretty!

RUD.  Fair as the dawn in Spring!

MIMI.  No, the simile fits not; you meant to say: 
Fair as the flame of sunset. 
“They call me Mimi; (like an echo)
They call me Mimi, but I know not why.”

RUD. (in tender, caressing tones)

Back to her nest comes the swallow in Spring-tide.
(He takes out the bonnet and gives it to Mimi.)

MIMI. (gaily) Why, that’s my bonnet! (motions RUDOLPH to put the
bonnet on her head)
Why, that’s my bonnet!
(makes RUDOLPH sit next to her, and rests her head on his breast)
Ah! do you remember how we both went shopping
When first we fell in love?

RUD.  Yes, I remember.

MIMI.  This room was all in darkness!

RUD.  While you, you were so frightened! 
Then the key you mislaid, love.

MIMI.  And to find it you went groping in the darkness.

RUD.  Yes, searching, searching.

MIMI.  And you, my young master,
Now I can tell you frankly,
That you soon managed to find it.

RUD.  It was Fate that did help me.

MIMI.  It was dark, and my blushes were unnoticed. (faintly repeating
Rudolph’s_ words_)
“Your tiny hand is frozen,
Let me warm it into life!”
It was dark, and my hand then you clasped—­
(a sudden spasm half suffocates her; she sinks back fainting)