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

FIRST CITIZEN

Our life is boring, what is there to do?

THIRD CITIZEN

It would not hurt to make a little din.

(In the meantime Eve has lightes the altar's fire, washed her hands and prepared her sacrifice. Her maidens start to intone a hymn whose melody is intermingled with the following scene. The square is full of citizens and people. Two Demagogues are struggling for the rostrum.)

FIRST DEMAGOGUE

Get off from here! This place belongs to me!

We are in peril if I cannot speak.

(The mob howls its consent.)

SECOND DEMAGOGUE

We’ll be lost if you speak, hireling, away!

(The mob laughs and applauds.)

FIRST DEMAGOGUE

You are no hireling — who would purchase you? Citizens! With regret I raise my voice Because it hurts a noble heart to humble Greatness and drag it in the dust. I have To pull a mighty man from his chariot And bring him to your court!

SECOND DEMAGOGUE

You rogue!

You started well! Put garlands on the beast That you intend to sacrifice.

FIRST DEMAGOGUE

Away!

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