The dawn of a busy day on the farm is heralded by the cock and his attendant hens. Lise,

disappointed at not seeing Colas, leaves a ribbon tied in a lover’s knot as a token of her devotion.

Colas finds it and binds it to his staff. The lovers meet, but are interrupted by Simone, who sets

her daughter a task churning butter. Colas, hiding in the loft, joins her. The work is shared and

then forgotten as they declare their love.

The farm girls summon Lise to play, but her mind is elsewhere. Her suspicious and ever-watchful

mother catches hold of her and chastizes her. Just then Thomas, the pompous and wealthy

proprietor of a vineyard, arrives with his son Alain. Simone, aware of their mission, dismisses

Lise, and Thomas asks her hand for his son. When Lise returns, Alain coyly and clumsily shows

off his paces. She is amused and a little shocked by his antics, but not interested. They set off

for the harvest.

It is harvest time, and after working in the fields the harvesters, led by Colas, relax in a joyful

dance. Lise and Alain dance, but Colas intervenes, and the young girl makes it clear where her

preference lies. One of the harvesters plays the flute, to everybody’s general delight, and Alain

thinks he will have a try; but the harvesters mock him and he is rescued from their horseplay by

his indignant father.

The field is now left clear for the triumphant Colas, who dances with Lise. Simone joins in the

merriment of the harvesters. Suddenly they are interrupted by a storm that drenches them,

scattering them far and wide.