Page:A history of Hungarian literature.djvu/269

 MADÁC H 255 without help. In the face of life's adversities God bids him 11 Strive and Trust l " and with these words the drama ends . THi: TRAGEDY OF MAN. SCENE III. A bentitifui landscape bej• ond the bounds of Pa,.adise. Small sh11peless huts. ADAM, EvE, LuciFER. ADAM is knocking sl11kes into the gl'ound to mllke a jen ce. EvE is a1'1'11nging an a1'bOII1'. ADAM. So this is mine. . Instead of the wide world this spot is my home. l hold it and have it. I gttard it from wild beasts and I compel it to nourish me. EvE. And I am building an arbour like that which we once poSes.o;ed and so am restoring the Eden we have lost. LUCIFER. That is a mighty utterance. Family and property : these are the main springs of this world. They bring you pleasure, and torment. The two thoughts germinate, grow apace and are known as labour and fatherl and. They generate what is great and noble and devour their own children. ADAM. You speak in riddles. You promised me knowledge. In the impulse of my joy, witb some struggle, I renounced greatness. And what have I gained ? LUCIFER. Don't you feel what it is ? ADAM. I feel that as God has fo rsaken me and thrust me out belpiess into the wildemess, I, too, have forsaken Him. I wil l be a God unto myself and what I gain by my own labour shall be fully mine. That is what gives me strength and pride. LUCIFER (11side). Dost thou indeed defy the shining skies ? Behold the ftashes of their lightnings will reveal the ioner workings of your heart.