COL.  How deep the thought is!

MAR.  Color how true!

RUD.  In that blue smoke my drama is dying
Full of its love-scenes ardent and new.

COL.  A leaf see crackle!

MAR.  Those were all the kisses.

RUD. (throwing the remaining MS. on the fire)
Three acts at once I desire to hear.

COL.  Only the daring can dream such visions.

RUD., MAR. and COL.  Dreams that in flame soon disappear.

(Applaud enthusiastically; the flame diminishes.)

MAR.  Ye gods! see the leaves well-nigh perished.

COL.  How vain is the drama we cherished.

MAR.  They crackle! they curl up! they die!

MAR. and COL.  The author—­down with him, we cry.

(From the middle door two boys enter, carrying provisions and fuel; the three friends turn, and with a surprised cry, seize the provisions and place them on the table. COLLINE carries the wood to the fireplace.)

RUD.  Fuel!

MAR.  Wine, too!

COL.  Cigars!

RUD.  Fuel!

MAR.  Bordeaux!

RUD., MAR. and COL.  The abundance of a feast day
We are destined yet to know.

(Exeunt the two boys)

(Enter SCHAUNARD.)

SCH. (triumphantly throwing some coins on the ground)
Such wealth in the balance
Outweighs the Bank of France.

COL. (assisting RUDOLPH and MARCEL to pick up the coins)
Then, take them—­then, take them.

MAR. (incredulously) Tin medals?  Inspect them.

SCH. (showing one to MARCEL)
You’re deaf then, or blear-eyed? 
What face do they show?

RUD. (bowing)
King Louis Philippe:  to my monarch I bow.

RUD., MAR., SCH. and COL.  Shall King Louis Philippe at our feet thus lie low?

(SCHAUNARD will go on recounting his good luck, but the others continue to arrange everything on the table.)

SCH.  Now I’ll explain. 
This gold has—­or rather silver—­
Has its own noble story.

MAR.  First the stove to replenish.

COL.  So much cold has he suffered,

SCH.  ’Twas an Englishman, then—­
Lord, or mi-lord, as may be—­
Desired a musician.

MAR. (throwing COLLINE’S books from the table)
Off!  Let us furnish the table.

SCH.  I flew to him.

RUD.  Where is the food?

COL.  There.

MAR.  Here.

SCH.  I pay my homage. 
Accepted, I enquire—­

COL. (preparing the viands on the table while RUDOLPH lights the other candle) Here’s cold roast beef.

MAR.  And savory patty.

SCH.  When shall we start the lessons? 
When I seek him, in answer to my question,
“When shall we start the lessons?”
He tells me “Now—­at once. 
Just look there,”
Showing a parrot on the first floor, hung, then continues: 
“You must play until that bird has ceased to live.” 
Thus it befell: 
Three days I play and yell.