Adam the Creator/Scene 2
II
The same scene just before sunset.
Adam comes back very much depressed and sits down.
Adam:
Bah, let her stalk alone about the mountains!
What is the woman so stuck up about?
Why, I with my own hands created her,
And all there is in her is my big words;
And if you please, she now puts on to me
These lofty airs! That’s all a man gets from her!
Even the fleas can’t bear to stay on her!
A mere man doesn’t suit her!—Stupid goddess!
Most probably some flaw was in the clay.
Or else perhaps it was my fault, who knows?
For making her with only negatives;
That’s why it’s always “no” and so much fuss.
—Who would go climbing up there after her?—
Where did I get to? Oh, I wanted to
Create some more. Really these women only
Upset one’s work. I ought to have stayed here.
[He gets up.
Now to create once more and better still.
But this time in creating I shall use
Only distinctly positive qualities.
[He takes off his coat.
Oof! What a dance she led me! I’m not making
Women again. I’ll try another way.
Clear, positive principle, you know, that’s man.
Let the foundations of this next new world
And higher order be strength, youth, and will.
Make him a man of action, positive
In character, who shan’t know anything
But strength, and must not be——— What mustn’t he?
You see, that wretched negative has crept
Onto my tongue again. Say what you will.
A bit of negative is always left;
Within its definition an idea
Contains its own negation; and as soon
As he begins to speak, a man says, “Don’t.”
It’s not enough to have denied the world.
You must deny words, too. Create and speak not,
Creator. The real secret of existence
Is never caught in worthless, dead ideas.
Create in burning silence, do not be
Deceived by words; concentrate in yourself;
Approach the secret deeps. The hidden goal
Seek in your inmost dreams. I’ll make a man
Such as I would have liked to be myself.
[He works in silence.
What I’d have liked to be! As quite a boy
I thought of a knight-errant, or Little John.
—Oh, but that’s nonsense!
[He works in silence.
Now he’s coming on;
Olympian, naked, young, an antique statue
With laurels in his hair, an athlete’s muscles . . .
It’s always well to bear the antique in mind.
Sculptor, create!
[He works in silence.
It wouldn’t be bad either
To make a Viking youth with sea-clear gaze,
Shaking the North Sea spray from flying locks. . . .
He’s got no culture, but he is pure breed.
[He works in silence.
The clay that’s going to him! But good heavens,
Why grudge it when one’s making the ideal
Of one’s own self?—Finished! He’s a young hero!
But just let’s put a weapon in his hand—
[He breathes on him.
Done! Now he’s moving!—Man of the future, rise!
The Created Man (leaps up with a spear in his hand):
Who goes there?
Adam:
Good Lord! I’ve succeeded. Let’s have a look at you, my boy. You look like a warrior of olden days. You shall be called Miles.
Miles (raises his spear):
Who are you?
Adam:
Don’t be afraid of me, my boy; I am your creator.
Miles:
Will you fight with me?
Adam:
I? Why should I do that?
Miles:
To see which of us is the stronger. Come on, we’ll run a race.
Adam:
What an idea!
Miles:
You are a coward!
Adam (indignantly):
Who told you that?
Miles:
You are an old, shaggy barbarian!
Adam:
Gently, my boy! I am the father of your life. I am the creator.
Miles:
Yes, you are a miserable coward. Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. You shall be my servant.
Adam:
I your servant? Why?
Miles:
Because I choose!—When I stand with my head flung back I feel that I command.
Adam:
Whom, pray?
Miles:
Everyone. Here I stand, cleaving the wind with my breast.
Adam:
And is that all you know how to do?
Miles:
That is my mission. I am strong and young.
Adam:
And you think that is enough?
Miles:
I cannot think, barbarian.
Adam:
Why?
Miles:
Because I stand. Where I stand, there is the highest peak.
[Enter Eve.
Eve:
I have been in the mountain peaks, but I found no one who was my equal. Who is this blond hero?
Miles:
Who is this golden lioness?
Eve:
Where have you come from, fair warrior?
Miles:
I come to conquer. Here I stand and the world is at my feet.
Eve:
Who is this young conqueror and liberator?
Adam:
Oh, he’s only a manikin made out of clay. Anyway, he’s not turned out a success.
Eve:
Do not heed him, young hero. He is only some old, unclean slave.
Miles:
Yes, he is a cowardly good-for-nothing.
You are right. He dabbles in the clay.
Miles:
He is not even armed.
Adam:
Silence! I am your creator!
Eve:
His voice is rough and hideous.
Miles:
Will you fight with me, hairy cripple?
Eve:
Do not speak to him. He is not our equal.
Miles:
You are right. He is not our equal.
Eve:
How much we have in common!
Adam:
The devil take you! I———
Miles (raising his spear):
Hold your tongue, foreigner! You are not one of us!
Eve:
You are right, hero. You are splendid in your naked strength.
Miles:
Yes, that is my calling.
Eve:
I understand you. How many things bind us to one another.
Miles:
We two.
Eve:
How we despise him!
Adam:
By what right?
Eve:
Because you are ugly.
Miles:
Because you are of another race.
Eve:
Because you are old.
Miles:
Because you are not a hero.
Adam:
That’ll do! I recall the breath of life which I breathed into you! Fall to the ground dead, you earthen idiot!
Miles:
Will you fight with me?
Adam:
Eve:
Who presumes to command me?
Adam:
I, your creator!
Miles:
Then let’s fight for her, you cowardly creator!
Eve:
Oh yes, fight! I’ll watch!
Adam:
I should be a fool to do that. It isn’t worth it, if you want to know.
Eve (gives her hand to Miles):
You have conquered, young hero!
Miles:
That was my first conquest.
Eve:
I am your first conquest. Come!
Miles:
I go with you.
Eve:
To the mountain peaks!
Miles:
And higher still. Come. Ahoy!
Eve:
Eyayah!
[They begin to climb.
Adam:
Where are they climbing to? Eve! Don’t go with him!
Eve (glancing round):
How ugly he is!
Miles:
How far he is beneath us! Eyayah!
Eve:
Ahoy! Haliho!
[Exeunt Eve and Miles.
Adam:
Eve, stay here!—To the devil with both of them! He’s a fool, that Miles. If it were not for Eve I’d blow him to bits with my Cannon of Negation.—Eve, how can you go off with a fellow like that? What can you see in him?—They’re climbing steadily higher. Blockheads! lazy louts! aristocrats! I’d like to stick a broom in her hands and a couple of squalling children! Stuck up goddess! I’m not young and beautiful enough for them, aren’t I? Well, is that my fault? I didn’t create myself. A fellow can create anything, but he can’t make himself over again. Nobody’s ever loved me, only mother. . . . Then I suppose I oughtn’t to have denied the world. Lonely, lonely again! If I only had someone to love me a little. . . . Lord, yes; creating would be a different job then! A man must have a bit of happiness for himself. And comfort, too, of course. To have someone to create for! And someone to be with me.—Eve, Eve, come back! She can’t hear now. I shan’t ask her again.—It ought not to have been a goddess I made at all, but just a frank, true comrade——— (He gives a start.) The very thing! Of course, I can make her for myself. I can create as many women as I like! But I only want one; and when Eve comes back I shall say to her: Go along after your hero; this is the home of warm human happiness. Won’t she be angry! (He kneels down by the heap of clay and rolls up his sleeves.) Now I know at last what it is the world needs. Aha, God, do you know that? It needs happiness! This is a terrific discovery. It’s only now that I’m beginning to create a better and brighter world, a world of love and happiness. Let’s get to work. (He begins to model in the clay.) But supposing Miles carries her off, too. . . . Oh, I know; I’ll make her very little; let her stay at home and be sweet and loving, prattle like a brook and blossom with a myriad flowers. Quick, quick; this loneliness is simply crushing me. Let her—let her be . . . let her be like my first love; it’s true she loved somebody else, but this one shall love me. Your name shall be Lilith. (He breathes on her.) Lilith, rise! Peep-bo, darling!
Lilith (moves):
Peep-bo!
Adam (clapping his hands):
She’s sweet!
Lilith (gets up):
Am I untidy? Give me a kiss. What’s your name?
Adam:
Adam. Welcome, my wife.
Lilith:
A—dam. How funny! Adam. You know, I’d have liked some other name better. Wait a minute; I must tidy your hair. Haven’t you a comb? Ow, something’s biting me!
Adam:
It’s only a flea, Lilith.
Lilith:
See, how it jumps! Show me if you can jump like that!
Adam:
It isn’t the thing for a creator to jump, dear.
Lilith:
Oh! you don’t love me! (She begins to whimper.) I only just ask you, and you begin scolding me like that at once!
Adam:
I’m not scolding you, dearest.
Lilith (begins to cry):
You are scolding me! You’re shouting at me!
Adam:
That’s not true; I’m not shouting!
Lilith:
You are shouting!
Adam:
I am not shouting!
Lilith:
There, you see, you are shouting!
Adam:
Forgive me, dear. Perhaps I’m just a little overworked.
Lilith:
And what have you had to do that’s made you overworked?
Adam:
I’ve been making something lovely, perfect, precious!
Lilith:
What’s that?
Adam:
My little Lilith.
Lilith:
Let me go! I don’t like these clothes I’ve got on. And what else have you created?
Adam:
Oh, nothing. Only someone called Eve.
Lilith:
What’s she like? Is she prettier than me? What’s her dress like? I know what she’s like; she’s got bleached hair; ugh, it’s just like straw!
Adam:
That isn’t true, Lilith. Why, you haven’t even seen her!
Lilith:
That doesn’t matter. There you go sticking up for her! And she’s as thin as a rake!
Adam:
No, dear, she isn’t thin.
Lilith:
She is! And everything about her is artificial. And then you say she’s prettier than me! Go along after her!
Adam:
But I never said she was prettier!
Lilith:
You did! You said she wasn’t thin!
Adam:
Well, all right then, dear, she is thin; she’s as thin as a dead cat.
Lilith:
And she’s got bleached hair.
Adam:
Yes, and false teeth and anything else you like.
Lilith:
Do you love Lilith? Show me how much you love me!
Adam:
I’ll show you, dear; I’ll show you. Shall I create you something pretty?
Lilith:
You might. And I’ll watch. May I?
Adam:
Yes, of course, dear. Creating is frightfully interesting, Lilith. And there’s no one but me who knows how to do it. As though a fellow like Miles could do it! The idea!
Lilith:
Miles? Who’s that?
Adam:
Oh, no one. Now, darling, you must be as quiet as a mouse. Now I’m beginning, so mind!
[He models in the clay. Pause.
Lilith:
I say, darling!
Adam:
What?
Lilith:
I only wanted to tell you how quiet I’m being.
Adam:
Yes, you’re a good little girl.
[Pause.
Lilith:
And what’s that going to be?
Adam:
A surprise.
Lilith:
Oh. (Pause.) Why, you’ve got some grey hairs here already!
Adam:
Lilith, I’ve got something to do, you know, so you must really be quiet just a minute.
Lilith:
All right, I am being quiet.
[Pause.
Adam! Aren’t you even going to look at me?
Adam:
Why, I’m creating something for you, aren’t I?
Lilith:
And meantime you take no notice of Lilith. You don’t love me any more!
Adam:
Oh, devil take—ahem. Yes, of course I love you, dear.
Lilith:
Then come and sit by me. And will you be creating all the time?
Adam:
All the time. You see, darling, I’ve got to make a new world. Shall I tell you a story? Well, once upon a time there was a great, big, old world———
Lilith:
Look at my feet! Have you got toes on your feet, too?
Adam:
Of course. And this world, Lilith, was bad, and I denied it.
Lilith:
Fancy! What did you do that for?
Adam:
I’ve just told you. Because it was bad. Do you understand?
Lilith:
No.
Adam:
Well then, because there wasn’t a Lilith in it.
Lilith:
Oh, I see. Go on.
Adam:
And I denied that old world, and bang! it was all gone vanished. That’s how strong I am. And now I’m making a new and better world. There will be new, perfect, wise people in it———
Lilith:
And will there be Lilith?
Adam:
Why, darling, it goes without saying that she’ll be there! I’ve got Lilith already!
Lilith:
Then what do you want other people for, when you’ve got Lilith?
Adam:
My dear child, there must be other people in the world, too.
Lilith:
There, you see, you aren’t contented with just Lilith!
Adam:
Of course, I’m contented, little silly. There, there; don’t cry! A man must create; do you understand? It’s his work. If you knew the rapture of creating———
Lilith:
The rapture of creating? What’s that?
Adam:
It’s—oh, it’s an inexpressible bliss, Lilith.
Lilith:
And when you kiss me, isn’t that bliss?
Adam:
Yes, little wife, of course it is! What else could it be?
Lilith:
Then, why need you create?
Adam:
For you to see how well I do it. Just wait and see if you don’t think me clever.
Lilith:
But I don’t want to think you clever. You belong to me. Give me a kiss.
Adam:
Lilith, how sweet you are! My darling!
Lilith:
Oh, you’re crumpling my frock!
Adam:
That’s because I’m so glad I’ve got you! You love! I am so happy! Wait just a minute! (He takes a notebook out of his pocket.) Golden Age! That’s splendid!
Lilith:
What are you doing?
Adam:
Oh, nothing; I just want to write something down so as not to forget it. Nothing like love for inspiring a man! (He writes.) To create the Golden Age! That’s a tremendous idea!
Lilith:
Oh, you’ve got funny little hairs on your hand! Adam, why have you got hairs on your hand?
Adam (writing):
What? . . . Look here, Lilith. We’ll create together. You shall sit beside me, and I’ll write. . . . I’ll set down the likeness and law of a new paradise. My God, this is a sublime moment!
[A pause. He writes.
Lilith:
Adam———
Adam:
Yes, dear.
Lilith:
What were you going to make me out of clay?
Adam:
Nothing. I don’t remember. A servant to wait on you, a negro or some——— Please be quiet just a minute. Such a magnificent plan of creation has just come into my head (He writes.) Love the foundation of life—the family hearth an altar—the world a garden of bliss——— That’s splendid!
[A pause.
Lilith:
Adam! Adam, do you hear?
Adam:
Oh, confound it all. . . . Really, can’t a fellow have a moment to work on the next generation?
Lilith:
You are not taking any notice of me!
Adam:
Don’t bother me; I’m creating a new Golden Age!
Lilith:
And what am I to do?
Adam:
I don’t know; anything you like.
[A pause. Adam writes. Lilith does her hair up in a knot.
Lilith:
Do I look nicer with my hair done this way? Look at me!
Adam (without looking up):
Ever so much.
Lilith (snatches his notebook away):
I’ll tear it up! Do you like me like this or not?
Adam:
Yes, I like you. Now, do give me those papers.
Lilith:
And when do you like me best: when you’re writing or when you’re giving me a kiss?
Adam:
When when I’m kissing you, Lilith. (He takes her in his arms.) But when I think of the new glorious order of the world———
Lilith:
Do you love Lilith?
Adam:
What? Oh yes, desperately. And when I think of the new———
Lilith:
Are you happy, hubby?
Adam:
Yes, yes, yes. Of course, frightfully happy. This is enough to drive a fellow crazy!
Curtain