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
EVE But when I listen to a flute or song, Then I forget the shallow words, this throng: The tide of music sways me like a boat, I feel as if in dream I am afloat; On wings of songs I journey to the past, Where under sunlit palms I rest at last; I was a child still full of innocence, My spirit yearned for noble, great events — Excuse me for my silly phantom spell; I now awake to kiss you — all is well! ADAM Oh, stop this music; end the dance! This tide Of everlasting sweetness sickens me! My heart is longing for some bitterness: For bitter flavor in my wine, for stings Upon my lips, for peril on my head! (The dancers depart. There is a wailing outside.) What is this outcry pleading in my ears? LUCIFER Some idiots are being crucified; They dreamed of brotherhood and proper laws. CATULUS It served them right! They should have stayed at home, Enjoying life, forgetting all the world! Why did they mix in other men’s affairs? LUCIFER The beggar wants the rich man for his brother; Exchange positions and you’ll be crucified. CATULUS Well, let us laugh at power and distress, 189
