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
They’ll give us comfort when we wail our fate, And good advices when we vacillate. LUCIFER You cannot find a better for advice, Yet you’ll decide before your questions rise — They echo answers as your questions are. These lovely, dainty creatures near and far Look at pure-hearted beings with a smile. Yet specter-like at all despondence. While In many forms they change in many ways, They will escort you in your future days As pleasant shadows for a thinker’s mind, With grand ideals for youth whose eyes are blind! ADAM What is the meaning of this dazzling game Fleeting before me? I cannot grasp its sense — But forced, I am to solve another riddle. Don’t give me empty speeches, Lucifer, Let me know everything as you have promised! LUCIFER (aside) The day will come when you deplore your knowledge, And you will long for ignorance again! (Aloud) Be patient, man! You know you have to fight To merit every moment of delight! To comprehend all things you must go through Many frustrations and many studies, too. ADAM You easily can speak of patience; your Life is eternal with no end at all. I did not taste the fruit to live forever; My short existence makes me hurry on. 151
