What though Harlequin steals his Columbine?
Laugh, Pagliaccio, though thy heart break! The between-acts music is retrospective; it comments on the tragic emotions, the pathos foretold in the prologue.

Act II brings the comedy which is to have a realistic and bloody ending.

The villagers gather and struggle for places in front of the booth.

Among them is Silvio, to whom Nedda speaks a word of warning as she passes him while collecting the admission fees.

He reminds her of the assignation; she will be there.