Act I. Courtyard of a German inn. Chorus of townspeople and

travellers. _Lothario_, a wandering minstrel, sings, accompanying himself on his harp, "Fugitif et tremblant" (A lonely wanderer). _Filina_ and _Laertes_, on the way with their troupe to give a theatrical performance in a neighbouring castle, appear on a balcony. _Mignon_ is sleeping on straw in the back of a gypsy cart. _Giarno_, chief of the gypsy band, rouses her. She refuses to dance. He threatens her with a stick. _Lothario_ and _Wilhelm_ protect her. _Mignon_ divides a bouquet of wild flowers between them.

_Laertes_, who has come down from the balcony, engages _Wilhelm_ in conversation. _Filina_ joins them. _Wilhelm_ is greatly impressed with her blonde beauty. He does not protest when _Laertes_ takes from him the wild flowers he has received from _Mignon_ and hands them to _Filina_.

When _Filina_ and _Laertes_ have gone, there is a scene between _Wilhelm_ and _Mignon_. The girl tells him of dim memories of her childhood--the land from which she was abducted. It is at this point she sings "Connais-tu le pays" (Knowest thou the land). _Wilhelm_ decides to purchase her freedom, and enters the inn with _Giarno_ to conclude the negotiations. _Lothario_, who is about to wander on, has been attracted to her, and, before leaving, bids her farewell. They have the charming duet, "Légères hirondelles" (O swallows, lightly gliding). There is a scene for _Filina_ and _Frédéric_, a booby, who is in love with her. _Filina_ is after better game. She is setting her cap for _Wilhelm_. _Lothario_ wishes to take _Mignon_ with him. But _Wilhelm_ fears for her safety with the old man, whose mind sometimes appears to wander. Moreover _Mignon_ ardently desires to remain in the service of _Wilhelm_ who has freed her from bondage to the gypsies, and, when _Wilhelm_ declines to let her go with _Lothario_, is enraptured, until she sees her wild flowers in _Filina's_ hand. For already she is passionately in love with _Wilhelm_, and jealous when _Filina_ invites him to attend the theatricals at the castle. _Wilhelm_ waves adieu to _Filina_, as she drives away. _Lothario_, pensive, remains seated. _Mignon's_ gaze is directed toward _Wilhelm_.