The gray dawn creeps over the waters of the harbor.

Human voices, transformed into instruments, hum a barcarolle.
(We heard it when Sharpless tried to read the letter.) A Japanese tune rises like a sailors' chanty from the band.

Mariners chant their "Yo ho!" Day is come.

Suzuki awakes and begs her mistress to seek rest.
Butterfly puts the baby to bed, singing a lullaby.

Sharpless and Pinkerton come and learn of the vigil from Suzuki, who sees the form of a lady in the garden and hears that it is the American wife of Pinkerton.