Act II. The tavern of Lillas Pastia. Benches right and left. Towards

the end of a dinner. The table is in confusion.

_Frasquita_, _Mercedes_, and _Morales_ are with _Carmen_; also other officers, gypsies, etc. The officers are smoking. Two gypsies in a corner play the guitar and two others dance. _Carmen_ looks at them. _Morales_ speaks to her; she does not listen to him, but suddenly rises and sings, "Les tringles des sistres tintaient" (Ah, when of gay guitars the sound).

_Frasquita_ and _Mercedes_ join in the "Tra la la la" of the refrain. While Carmen clicks the castanets, the dance, in which she and others have joined the two gypsies, becomes more rapid and violent. With the last notes _Carmen_ drops on a seat.

The refrain, "Tra la la la," with its rising inflection, is a most characteristic and effective bit.

[Music]

There are shouts outside, "Long live the torero! Long live Escamillo!" The famous bullfighter, the victor of the bull ring at Granada, is approaching. He sings the famous "Couplets du Toréador," a rousing song with refrain and chorus. "Votre toast je peux vous le rendre" (To your toast I drink with pleasure) begins the number. The refrain, with chorus, is "Toréador, en garde" (Toreador, e'er watchful be).

[Music]

_Escamillo's_ debonair manner, his glittering uniform, his reputation for prowess, make him a brilliant and striking figure. He is much struck with _Carmen_. She is impressed by him. But her fancy still is for the handsome dragoon, who has been under arrest since he allowed her to escape, and only that day has been freed. The _Toreador_, followed by the crowd, which includes _Morales_, departs.

It is late. The tavern keeper closes the shutters and leaves the room. _Carmen_, _Frasquita_, and _Mercedes_ are quickly joined by the smugglers, _El Dancairo_ and _El Remendado_. The men need the aid of the three girls in wheedling the coast-guard, and possibly others, into neglect of duty. Their sentiments, "En matière de tromperie," etc. [Transcriber's Note: Correct lyrics are 'Quand il s'agit de tromperie'] (When it comes to a matter of cheating ... let women in on the deal), are expressed in a quintet that is full of spontaneous merriment--in fact, nowhere in "Carmen," not even in the most dramatic passages, is the music forced.

The men want the girls to depart with them at once. _Carmen_ wishes to await _José_. The men suggest that she win him over to become one of their band. Not a bad idea, she thinks. They leave it to her to carry out the plan.

Even now _José_ is heard singing, as he approaches the tavern, "Halte là! Qui va là? Dragon d'Alcala!" (Halt there! Who goes there? Dragoon of Alcala!). He comes in. Soon she has made him jealous by telling him that she was obliged to dance for _Morales_ and the officers. But now she will dance for him.

She begins to dance. His eyes are fastened on her. From the distant barracks a bugle call is heard. It is the "retreat," the summons to quarters. The dance, the bugle call, which comes nearer, passes by and into the distance, the lithe, swaying figure, the wholly obsessed look of _José_--these are details of a remarkably effective scene. _José_ starts to obey the summons to quarters. _Carmen_ taunts him with placing duty above his love for her. He draws from his breast the flower she gave him, and, showing it to her in proof of his passion, sings the pathetic air, "La fleur que tu m'avais jetée" (The flower that once to me you gave).

[Music]

Despite her lure, he hesitates to become a deserter and follow her to the mountains. But at that moment _Morales_, thinking to find _Carmen_ alone, bursts open the tavern door. There is an angry scene between _Morales_ and _José_. They draw their sabres. The whole band of smugglers comes in at _Carmen's_ call. _El Dancairo_ and _El Remandado_ cover _Morales_ with their pistols, and lead him off.

"And you? Will you now come with us?" asks _Carmen_ of _Don José_.

He, a corporal who has drawn his sabre against an officer, an act of insubordination for which severe punishment awaits him, is ready now to follow his temptress to the mountains.