25. Eve laments over the corpse of AdamCodex Vindob. 2980, Folio 82r, 144 x 119 mm. Placed before l. 3016 and illustrates ll. 2986-3015.
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Nobody can fully describe the lament which Eve and the children began. In great distress Seth and the poor woman embraced Adam's corpse. "Alas!" was uttered many times. The poor woman moaned as she lay on top of Adam in tears and did nothing but lament bitterly. She cried out aloud: "Alas the day which today dawned on my sorrow! It would not seem calamitous to me, if I, Adam, my dear lord, were dead with you, for I have lost in you all the joy that I ever knew. You were always my most valued treasure and comfort, for you often freed me from sorrow. Who is now to comfort me, Adam, my lord, now that I have lost you? You were so good and pure that I weep for you with just cause. Your death will be death to me. My heart must be destroyed by anguish for evermore. I know not where to turn, since you, Adam, my lord, have been vanquished, wherefore I must disregard life and from now on do nothing but mourn." (2986-3015, Translation by Halford, 1984, p. 285)Analysis
"There is no mention of a sarcophagus in the text, as Adam is buried with Abel by the angels (3207-3281). The illustrator, however, perhaps felt unequal to showing Seth and Eve lying on top of the corpse during her lament." (Halford, 1980, p. 32)Bibliography
Halford, M-B. Illustration and Text in Lutwin's Eva und Adam: Codex Vindob. 2980, Goppinger Arbeiten zur Germanistik, 303; Stuttgart: Kummerle Verlag, 1980.Halford, M-b. Lutwin's Eva und Adam, Goppingen Arbeiten zur Germanistik, Goppingen: Kummerle Verlag, 1984.