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

HIPPIA (sings)

You do not need to pine For love affairs and wine;

In every glass is placed Another spicy taste —

And let delight, the sweet delight,

Like sunshine gilds the graveyard bright, Gild every human life.

You do not need to pine For love affairs and wine;

Women and girls as well,

Each has another spell —

And let delight, the sweet delight,

Like sunshine gilds the graveyard bright, Gild every human life.

CATULUS

That was well done; now let’s hear Cluvia. CLUVIA (sings)

It happened once in ancient Rome, Widowed Lucretia lived alone;

A handsome lad misused her trust —

She burned no more for kiss or lust, Resisting Cupid’s tempting dart She pushed a dagger in her heart.

ALL

We shall rejoice, this world is smart;

Let us enjoy its every part!

CLUVIA (singing)

It happened once in ancient Rome That Brutus left his lovely home.

He grabbed his sword and went to fight Because he thought his cause was right

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