Bereczky Erzsébet (szerk.): Imre Madách: The Tragedy of Man. Essays about the ideas and the directing of the Drama (Budapest, 1985)

Imre Madách: The Tragedy of Man - full text of the drama - Translated by Joseph Grosz

LUCIFER (aside)

Go forward, self-conceited, on your way! Think you are going — but fate is drawing you. (He departs.)

ADAM

And leave this work unfinished as a warning Ruin for those who strive for eminence —

A question mark of human strength and weakness. (Outside a steadily growing clamor of happiness. The workers scatter. Lucifer returns.)

Greatness has bowed before you, slaves, rejoice! But don’t forget, I did not bow to force.

EVE

Take comfort, my beloved one! What is The value of that gloomy glory which Would creep between us, chilly, like a snake?

ADAM

But it is great, too great!

EVE

Forget it! See,

The silenced pain will not disturb our joy; What can you wiah when resting on my heart?

ADAM

Woman, how wrong and narrow is your view But still this draws the man of pride to you; It’s only weakness that the strong can love. Even the parents, holding tight their sons, Mostly protect their infant helplessness.

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