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
FOURTH SCENE (In Egypt. In the foreground, an open hall. Adam, as a Pharaoh, on his throne. Lucifer, as his chancellor; at a respectful distance, a splendid retinue. In the background, slaves, surrounded by guards with whips in their hands, are building a pyramid. A sunny day.) LUCIFER Your Majesty! Your anxious people, who Gladyl would shed their blood for you, would like To know the reason why our pharaoh Is restless on the cushions of his throne? Why do you sacrifice your days’ delight And all the lovely visions of your nights? You should entrust your great intentions to The care of slaves who are well trained for them - You have the glory of this wide-stretched world; And every joy and country that a man Can ever wish belong to you by now. The treasnres of your many provinces, The tender flowers’ fragrant bloom are yours; Your orchards grow their tasty fruit for you; A thousand women’s bosoms sigh for you; The flaxen beauty with her dreamy eyes, Who is as gentle as a playful dream, The raven woman with her burning lips And with her glowing passion in her eyes, Are yours. Their destiny is in your hands. They feel that they fulfill their functions well If they can spice your moments now and then. ADAM I do not yearn for all those earthly things Which are reluctant tributes due to me. I did not fight for them, and so I do 154
