It shall be engraved on their memories." "The surest way of ever having it engraved," said Colline, in a plaintive tone, and then added to himself, "very neat, that; I shall repeat it in society!" Marcel continued his imprecations, which Schaunard continued to put to music.
"Ah they won't admit me! The government pays them, lodges them, and gives them decorations, on purpose to refuse me once a year; every first of March! I see their idea! I see it clearly! They want to make me burn my brushes.

They hope that when my Red Sea is refused, I will throw myself out of the window of despair.

But they little know the heart of man, if they think to take me thus.

I will not wait for the opening of the Exhibition.

From today, my work shall be a picture of Damocles, eternally suspended over their existence.