Adam the Creator/Scene 3

Oh Lord, how happy I am! Lilith is a delightful wife. As soon as a fellow wakes—Adam, do you love me? If I’m going out—Adam, why are you always off somewhere? I want to create something—Adam, give me a kiss. I lie down for a nap—Do you love me, Adam? Yes, yes, darling; Oh Lord yes, of course I do. (He yawns.) I never even imagined that a man could be so boundlessly happy. Ahahah, what a bore it is!

Now this is where the Cannon of Negation stood. I have buried it and covered it up very well. Lilith is a love, but she might want to try it—for fun or from curiosity that would never do! Or I might let it off myself, although I am so happy. Yes, you know. Why, just for that very reason I might let it off, because I am so desperately happy. Here it is, buried for always. Paradise has begun. (He gives a yawn that nearly splits his head in two.) Well, what about creating a bit more?

Lilith is asleep now, poor kiddie. She is sleeping like a little child. In the meantime I might have a look at my Elements of the Golden Age which is to be created. (He sits down and takes out his notebook.) Part one; chapter one, paragraph two. How is it that I haven’t got any farther? That comes of being so happy. And then it doesn’t seem to amuse Lilith. When I start reading it to her she begins to pout and says: Don’t you love me, Adam? Oh yes, confound it all, of course I do. It fairly drives me crazy. Well now, paragraph two: “The Golden Age will not be bound”—by what, ​now? That’s where I stopped. It will not be bound by anything, of course. Nothing except my principles. If only I could remember what, really. (He claps his hand to his forehead.) Well now? Nothing. Confound it, what an empty head I’ve got! If only I had someone to talk things over with. One gets so many ideas while one’s discussing a thing. Without discussion one simply can’t create. There ought to be someone whom I can convince. Yes, but where shall I find him?

It’s a pity it doesn’t amuse Lilith. No, we’d better let her sleep and go on writing. “The Golden Age will not be bound———” (He jumps up.) Why, of course—I can create this comrade for myself! Before Lilith wakes up I’ll have got him all ready; and then I’ll tell her that he’s come from the mountains or dropped from the skies. (He kneels down by the heap of clay.) That’s an idea! I’ll create my own disciple, my own apostle; he’ll be the first man who will understand me; he shall be the greatest thinker and most fearless mind that ever——— Oh no, that won’t do! He might think he was cleverer than I. No, no; we can’t have that. It will be quite enough if you’re like me. You shall be the image of me, thoughtful and of a constructive turn of mind, like me, absolutely my double; only that I shall be lord and master, because, my friend, it was I who denied the world and have the clay of creation. And the Cannon of Negation. That’s it. You shall be my twin soul. You shall look like me and think as I do. You shall be my Alter Ego. With you at my side I shall be able to create the best world of all. Clay of creation, send forth the man who is my equal! (He breathes on the clay.) Friend, arise!

No, no! No, no! Pff, pff, pah! Ugh! This is all quite wrong!

Welcome, my other self! I have created you in my own image and likeness.

Pff, pff, ugh! Why, my mouth’s full of clay! Ugh, what an idea to stuff clay in a fellow’s mouth! Do you call that hygiene?

Really now, what could I create you from if not from clay?

And did you wash your hands first? Did you Pasteurize the clay? No? Of course not! Creating isn’t carting manure, you know!

Look here, I do know how to create!

So do I, my boy, so do I! Creating should be done in accordance with the most modern principles—aseptically and in rubber gloves. You’re just flinging it together anyhow, not creating! Rotten! (He looks round.) Well, I must say, you haven’t done much at it. Is this supposed to be a world? Why, there’s absolutely nothing here!

I’ve only just begun, comrade. The world isn’t finished yet.

Oh, it isn’t finished yet, isn’t it? And one must wait a thousand years for it to get any better, I suppose? You don’t take me in with that story. I judge by what there is—no good painting me your rosy pictures. Damn, what’s biting me?

I think it’s probably a flea.

A flea? How should fleas come to be here?

Oh, it’s well known that fleas—well, just come of themselves, out of the dust, you know.

Nonsense. Old wives’ tales. Fleas don’t come from the dust! It’s simply scandalous that there should be fleas in the world! What idiot brought them here?

It was just a sort of experiment, a little scientific game, that’s all.

An experiment, indeed! And couldn’t you find anything else to experiment on? Couldn’t you have created, say, a polytechnic, for instance? Or a serological institute? And instead of this he goes and begins with fleas!

Wait a minute, you don’t understand at all. The world must be created from the beginning.

From the beginning! And why must it begin with fleas rather than with professors? Why, if I had to create a world I’d first of all create a Scientific Institute for the creation of the world. That’s what I’d do.

Why, that’s just the old civilization! That has been superseded long ago. Now we’re beginning a completely new world on quite new, simple, and natural principles. There you are. The Golden Age, you understand.

And where have you got your new principles?

In my notebook. Wait a minute; I’ll just read it to you.

Bah! theories! plans! what’s the good of that? Show me the new world in practice; what have you made? Fleas!

That’s not true; I’ve created a lot more than that already.

As for instance—what?

For instance—for instance, my wife Lilith.

You’ve created yourself a wife? Well, what next! Is that supposed to be something new?

You haven’t seen her yet; she’s sweet.

That’s nothing new.

I’m frightfully happy with her.

That’s nothing new. Where is she? I’ll just go and have a look at her.

Don’t disturb her; she’s asleep.

What does that matter? I have the same right to her as you.

Well I never did! Is she my wife or yours?

That’s of no consequence. Marriage no longer counts.

Don’t you make any mistake: my marriage counts.

And this is supposed to be a new kind of world! I should like to know why you should have certain rights and I none!

Don’t shout so! You’ll wake her!

And I should like to know why I mustn’t shout! Do you think I’m going to let myself be bossed by anyone? I’m jolly well going to shout: Shame! Down with them all! Shame!

Adam! A—dam!

There you see, you’ve waked her up.—Yes, dear, here I am!

Haven’t you got a clothes-brush? Well you might have created me in some better clothes! I look like a tramp.

Well, what more do you want? You are the very image of me.

That’s just it! I would have made myself quite different and far better.

Adam, why were you shouting so?

I? Why no, dearest.—See, Lilith, we have a guest. What have you to say to him?

How do you do?

Ugh, he’s an ugly one! What does he want here?

Excuse me! It’s he who made me so ugly! I protest against it!

But look here, you’re exactly like me! Isn’t he, Lilith? Aren’t we as like as two peas?

No, you’re my own Adam and he’s an ugly fellow. Do you love me? Give me a kiss!

Lilith, dear, in front of strangers———

What’s that fellow’s name?

Alter Ego.

What? Altergo? Well, Ally, go and get a can and fetch some water.

I?———Why———Yes, certainly.

I think I ought to tell you, Lilith, that—h’m—that we can’t order him about like that.

Well, anyway, he did as he was told.

Yes, but he shouldn’t have. He is a free man just as I am, Lilith.

Well, you go for water too, and do as Lilith tells you.

That’s fundamentally different, dear; I can do as you tell me because I am master here, you see; while he is only——— Well, anyway you must behave more considerately to him.

Well, he’s only a nigger after all.

What do you mean, a nigger?

Didn’t you say you were making me a nigger to wait on me?

This one isn’t a nigger, Lilith; he’s——— Oh, he’s just the same as——— He’s to be exactly like my friend, you know.

Now, I should like to know whether I’m a servant here, or what. That is a fundamental question, if you please. I fundamentally decline the post.

Why are you shouting so, Ally?

Because he’s speaking fundamentally. My dear friend———

What an idea! I’m not a friend at all! I will do anything for you, Mrs. Lilith, but not for him. I’ll fetch you as much water as ever you like. I’ll bring you anything in the world.

I’ll thank you not to interfere in my domestic affairs.

I’m not interfering in anything. I merely make a fundamental protest. Mrs. Lilith, why hasn’t he created you hot and cold running-water? Why haven’t you a gas-cooker? And this is supposed to be a new world? Why, you have to work like a galley-slave!

You’re quite right, Ally.

Nonsense. Tell me, Lilith—is there anything you lack? Aren’t you happy?

This isn’t a question of happiness, it’s a question of principles. To the devil with happiness if we only have progress! Things would have looked different here, Mrs. Lilith, if I had had a say in the matter! When I think what a position you would have had———

Go and say that to your own wife, but leave mine alone!

As if I’d got one! One has a wife and home and everything you can think of, and the other has nothing. Is that any sort of equality? I deny fundamentally that Adam had the right to create me! There now.

But just wait———

Truth does not wait. Truth will not be suppressed.

But I’ll explain to you———

I know it all. I have eyes and a mind, haven’t I? And I am not going to have my mouth shut. To speak is my greatest right, sir!

Heyaya!

Heyaya!

What’s that, Adam?

That’s——— Oh, that’s nothing. Only an echo, you know.

Who are those two?

They’re nothing, I tell you. They were just an experiment. It didn’t quite succeed, and———

And what were they meant to be?

Oh, a kind of Superman.

Superman? And why Superman? And who created them?

I did.

Now that really does beat all! I fundamentally protest against there being such a thing as a Superman! It’s a privileged class! It’s reaction!

Heyaya!

Look Ally, how tall she is! It isn’t really pretty, is it?

Tall! Why shouldn’t she be tall? She doesn’t have to slave at home and toil and moil like you, Mrs. Lilith! Of course! a Superman! scandalous!

Heyaya! Haliho!

I say, he is beautiful!

Damn you, shameless scoundrel! (He picks up a stone to throw.) Get along with you, good-for-nothing!

Adam, why aren’t you like him?

And why am I not like him? Why is that fellow a Superman and I the poor devil I am? Do you know, Mrs. Lilith, he did that out of jealousy, so that I shouldn’t be handsomer than he is himself. And must you be content with his bristly chin? Couldn’t he find ​you anyone better and younger than he is himself? I pity you, my little lady, for having had to take him.

He is queer like that sometimes, Ally——— (She begins to cry.) Oh, I’m so unhappy———

Look here, I’ve had enough of this! I forbid you to interfere with my family life!

What! Are you trying to order me about?

No, no, my dear fellow, not a bit of it; but I’ll create you a wife. Set up for yourself and be happy. Alter Ego, I will give you a mate; now are you satisfied at last?

What, satisfied? It’s my simple right to have a mate. I’d like to see you deny my right to have a mate! Why should I be satisfied when I’m only getting what I have a right to? No, indeed, that’s not enough for me. Now then, make haste!

What do you think, Lilith; shall I create him a wife?

I don’t know. I wish I were as tall as that one up in the mountains.

That’s true. Make her a little taller, nice and tall. Now then, begin!

I’ll just wash my hands.

Oh, never mind that; she can be a brunette. Quick now! I tell you, I don’t want a domestic fowl. She must be interesting, she must be slim and tall———

Wait a minute, not so fast! Woman, be rational, be serene, be chaste———

No, no! What next! I don’t want a nursery governess!

What colour shall her dress be? Mauve?

Let her be temperamental! Let her be stunning! Let her be beautiful!

Terra-cotta! Or—stripes! Ally, say let her be striped!

Be strong! Be weighty!

I don’t want her like a pumpkin! I want her a bit pale and with large eyes———

Then she must have a black dress. Cut narrow at the neck, you know.

Of course, cut low. And a skin like dull ivory.

Let her not be such a silly as to sit at home like me!

Lilith, don’t put your word in!

Don’t you put your word in, either! Let her be rather thin———

Look here, am I creating her or are you?

And is she to be my wife or yours? Let her be awfully deep!

She’d be a fool to be a slave like me! I never have a good time at all, and I don’t go out anywhere———

And she’s not to be dull. And let her have slim fingers, by Jove!

Let her not be wilful!

No, don’t say that! I want her to have an alto voice, and soul, and a long neck.

Let her be honest!

That would be silly of her! What would she gain by that?

Let her be obedient!

Oh no, I don’t want that! Let her be what she would like herself!

That’s going too far! Now we don’t know what she’ll be like at all.

That doesn’t matter. I don’t place any restrictions on my wife. Let her be what will please her herself.

No, look here, old fellow! A creator has got to make people as they ought to be and not just as he’d like them to be. That’d be a pretty state of affairs!

And it’d be a pretty sort of freedom if anybody could lay down what one was to be like! I definitely want her to be what she would like herself! Why must you meddle at all in my domestic affairs?

Look here, I think I’ve the right to know what I’m creating!

That would be a nice look-out! If a creator knew what he was making, he’d just leave it all. Leave off interfering and create!

And what if I create something—Suppose something frightful comes to birth under my hand?

Then it will be for me to blame you for it. A creator must put up with these things. Now, get on with it! What a job you’re making of it!

I’m not going to quarrel with you. Have it as you please. (He breathes on the clay.) Arise, woman! Do as pleases you!

I’m curious to see what really———

I say, she is ripping!

Why did you wake me? I was dreaming such a glorious purple dream!

We have wakened you into life.—Oh, we’ve forgotten to give you a name. What shall we call you?

Call me Enigma.

What are you saying to her? Introduce me!

This is Alter Ego, Enigma.

Do not call me Enigma; I am Chimæra. It is a strange thing. Whoever looks on me feels that there is something mysterious within me. Everyone tells me so.

Good morning, ma’am.

You are a darling! Why do you wear such dreadful clothes? We must make friends, mustn’t we? Do you scorn men?

I? No. Why should I?

Because you are a woman, dear heart. I will tell you so many things when we are alone.

But I love Adam.

How naïve you are! I must kiss you!

No, I’m afraid of you! Adam, let’s go home.

I won’t take him away from you, dear child. It is extraordinary what a power I have over men. The experiences I’ve been through already———

Why, you’re only just born!

I am so tired! I should like to go far, far away somewhere, to new worlds, in quest of new impressions. . . . Haven’t you a looking-glass? I adore the simple life. It’s so delightfully secluded here. . . . I could spend the whole day gazing at a single blade of grass.

This is a stupendous woman!

Adam, let’s go home!

All right. Lilith, run along.

Do you believe in Fate? Do you believe that some people are destined for each other from the beginning? They are drawn to each other—at first sight——— It is an extraordinary thing that whoever loves me must die.

Why?

I don’t know. There is something fatal about me. It has a terrible influence on everyone. It’s frightfully boring here, don’t you think so? I could dance wildly! Oh, I do want something so badly!

What?

I don’t know. Something great; I feel an unsatisfied longing within me. Who can understand me?

I can!

Who can bind Elsa? Who can master me?

I can!

That’s not true!

Come home, Adam; leave them!

Let me alone! I say that he can’t master her!

And that you can? Do you think you understand her?

Did I create her or did you?

I did! I said, let her be what she would like herself.

That’s not creating!

It most certainly is! That is creating the new woman!

Adam, do come!

Oh, go to——— There, there, don’t cry, Lilith. This is really past all bearing.

Take me ho—o—o—ome!

I’m coming, confound it all! We’ll settle this matter later, sir!

Is that his wife? Why ever did he marry her?

I don’t know. I———

But he’s an awfully interesting man, isn’t he? There’s something extraordinary about his eyes, something green, something irresistible———

I didn’t notice it; but I———

Didn’t you notice? He’s madly in love with me. Did you see how jealous Lilith is?

Of course, but I———

I, I! You men are always wanting to talk just about yourselves.

I love you, Elsa!

I am not Elsa, I am Laura. I could only love a poet. But all this belongs to him, doesn’t it?

To whom?

Laura, I love you!

I could only love a strong man. A man who would place all the riches of the world at my feet, you know, and say to me: “All this is thine, Marcelle, my queen!”

I worship you, Marcelle, my queen!

Silence! If you loved me you would not let a woman of Lilith’s sort be greater than I, Isolda, do you understand?

You are a thousand times greater, Isolda.

Why, didn’t you see how she looked at me? Such a haughty glance, as much as to say: “You are a mere beggar, everything here is mine!”

Did she say that?

Why, didn’t you hear? That’s what she said. And she went on: “Adam is master of everything here, and ​that suitor of yours is nothing, nothing, nothing.” I hate her!

What, did Lilith say that?

And Adam went on: “All this is mine. And, if I wish it, Zaïra too shall be mine.”—Zaïra, that’s myself. And all the while he looked at me with such a forceful, glowing glance.—Anyone can see he is a born ruler.

I’ll give him a ruler! I’ll show him whether I’m nothing! Adam, come out! Hi, you cowardly despot!

What do you want?

Tell me, who does all this belong to, everything there is?

No one. The world belongs to those who are to be. This is the Golden Age.

And who does it belong to at present?

At present it belongs to those who are.

In equal shares?

In equal shares.

Then show me how much of it is my share.

Your share is everywhere. Wait, I’ll just read it to you.

Leave your beastly notebook alone! Give me our share first and then you can read what you like. I’m going to do what I like too; do you see, Zaïra?

You don’t understand me. Everything is to be in common. The fundamental principle is that———

You have your principles and I have mine. And I’m not running after your wife.

Wait a bit; first we must come to an understanding—

I don’t want to come to an understanding. I want my half of the world, and then we can come to an understanding over the wall.

Only half? So little?

We must come to an understanding about how we are going to make the Golden Age. If you have better ideas, all right, I’ll give in. But that’s not possible, because it’s I who am right.

What d’you mean, right? I absolutely deny it; so there.

How can you deny what you don’t know?

I deny it on principle. Nego a limine. It would be a pretty kettle of fish if you were right and not I, wouldn’t it, Zaïra?

Wait a minute and don’t get excited. In our Golden Age there will be no———

I’m not asking you about your Golden Age. I shall make one of my own, and a far better one. Divide it up and stop talking!

I want that and that. This is ours.

And that heap of clay, too.

The clay of creation is mine!

I don’t want clay. I want flowers. I want clouds.

Up to here where I’m standing is all ours. Here is our frontier.

I won’t have the world torn in pieces like this!

I want what is beyond the horizon. I want that bluer side.

Yes, my lady, all that is yours. Are you content?

Oh, my feet do hurt so!

I’ll bring you a chair.

You’re not to go there! What do you want there?

Stay!

What do you want?

Why did you not understand me? The first moment I saw you I had a feeling that it was Fate. . . . Alter Ego is madly in love with me. Did you see how jealous he is about me?

Yes, perhaps———Wait a minute; I must go home!

I’m frightfully thrilled when anyone is jealous! I adore heroism.

But what’s he doing in my house?

Don’t think about it. Life is so intoxicating! Love and heed nothing. . . . Come, let us flee!

Excuse me, I—I have the clay here—and Lilith—and the cannon—I can’t go away from here. Let go of me, please!

Are you afraid that he’ll take something of yours? How small-minded you are!

Small-minded? Woman, that was such a great thought of mine. . . . Everything to be owned in common—everything to belong to all———

Adam, he’s trying to take our chair!

Put down our chair! (He flies to the house.) That’s our chair, you brigand!

I want it! I want it!

You thief, that’s our chair! Ours!! Ours!!!