256 HUNGARIAN LITERATD RE EvE . One thing makes me proud, that I am the future mother of mankind. LuciFER (aside). That's the woman's sublimest ideal-to make guilt and pain ever lasting on earth. ADAM. What have I to thank Him for ? That I exist ? Is not the fruit of my own labour my reward for the pains of this existence ? I must win the delight of a cooling drink through torturiDg thirst. I must pay for the ardour and glad sweetness of kisses with wearlness and heaviness. Have I tom off the bonds of gratitude, and am I free to build my own fate-and sometimes, groping, to destroy what I planned-you were indeed not needed to help me in this. I could have done as much by my own strength alone. You . have not tom away the chain that bound my body to this earth. A mere hair it is-oh l the infamy of it l-that hems me in and fetters my soul. I long to soar but I sink down. My eye and my ear refuse their service when I boldly attempt to solve the enigma of space. And when imagination draws me into higher spheres, · hunger gnaws me and drags me down again full of shame, to the earth on which I wander. LUCIFER. Yes, those fetters are stronger than I. ADAM. Then you are indeed a poor weak spirit. What if this gossamer, this nothing, which myriads of beings scarcely notice-in whose web they revel joyously thinking they aré free, but which a few chosen spirits only divine-defy your power. LUCIFER. Indeed, 'tis only this which can defy me, because 'tis spirit like I am. Do you imagine that because a power works secretly and silently that it is not strong ? Belleve me, there rests in darkness that which can shatter, can create a world and every bead would tum giddy ·at sight of it. Only what limits the span of earthly time, only the work of men roars and glows. ADAM• . Then let me-I feel the atrength within me-for one moment
