Part 7 (2/2)

MAR. And poetry let flow.

RUD. Your face entrancing.

Like radiant seraph from on high appears!

The dream that I would ever, ever dream, returns.

RUD.

MIMI.

Love alone o'er hearts has sway Heart to heart and soul to soul

Ah Love! to thee do we surrender.

Love binds us in his fetters.

(_yielding to her lover's (_placing his arm around MIMI_ embrace_) Love now shall rule our hearts

Sweet to my soul the magic voice alone,

Of love its music chanteth, Life's fairest flower is love!

Life's fairest flower is love!

Life's fairest flower is love!

(RUDOLPH _kisses her._)

MIMI. (_disengaging herself_) No, I pray you!

RUD. My sweetheart!

MIMI. Your comrades await you!

RUD. Do you then dismiss me?

MIMI. I should like--no, I dare not!

RUD. Say!

MIMI. (coquettishly) Could I not come with you?

RUD. What, Mimi?

It would be much more pleasant here to stay.

Outside 'tis chilly!

MIMI. To you I'll be neighbor! I'll be always near you.

RUD. On returning?

MIMI. (archly) Who knows, sir?

RUD. Take my arm, my little maiden!

MIMI. (giving her arm to RUDOLPH) I obey you, my lord!

(They go, arm in arm, to the door.)

RUD. You love me? Say!

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