To Mrs. Saville, England
August 5th, 17-
So strange an accident has happened to us that I cannot forbear recording1 it, although it is very probable that you will see me before these papers can come into your possession.
Last Monday (July 31st) we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship on all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea-room in which she floated. Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were compassed round by a very thick fog. We accordingly lay to, hoping that some change would take place in the atmosphere and weather.
About two o’clock the mist cleared away, and we beheld2, stretched out in every direction, vast and irregular plains of ice, which seemed to have no end. Some of my comrades groaned3, and my own mind began to grow watchful5 with anxious thoughts, when a strange sight suddenly attracted our attention and diverted our solicitude6 from our own situation. We perceived a low carriage, fixed7 on a sledge8 and drawn9 by dogs, pass on towards the north, at the distance of half a mile; a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently10 of gigantic stature11, sat in the sledge and guided the dogs. We watched the rapid progress of the traveller with our telescopes until he was lost among the distant inequalities of the ice. This appearance excited our unqualified wonder. We were, as we believed, many hundred miles from any land; but this apparition12 seemed to denote that it was not, in reality, so distant as we had supposed. Shut in, however, by ice, it was impossible to follow his track, which we had observed with the greatest attention. About two hours after this occurrence we heard the ground sea, and before night the ice broke and freed our ship. We, however, lay to until the morning, fearing to encounter in the dark those large loose masses which float about after the breaking up of the ice. I profited of this time to rest for a few hours.
In the morning, however, as soon as it was light, I went upon deck and found all the sailors busy on one side of the vessel13, apparently talking to someone in the sea. It was, in fact, a sledge, like that we had seen before, which had drifted towards us in the night on a large fragment of ice. Only one dog remained alive; but there was a human being within it whom the sailors were persuading to enter the vessel. He was not, as the other traveller seemed to be, a savage14 inhabitant of some undiscovered island, but a European. When I appeared on deck the master said, “Here is our captain, and he will not allow you to perish on the open sea.”
On perceiving me, the stranger addressed me in English, although with a foreign accent. “Before I come on board your vessel,” said he, “will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?”
You may conceive my astonishment15 on hearing such a question addressed to me from a man on the brink16 of destruction and to whom I should have supposed that my vessel would have been a resource which he would not have exchanged for the most precious wealth the earth can afford. I replied, however, that we were on a voyage of discovery towards the northern pole.
Upon hearing this he appeared satisfied and consented to come on board. Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man who thus capitulated for his safety, your surprise would have been boundless17. His limbs were nearly frozen, and his body dreadfully emaciated18 by fatigue19 and suffering. I never saw a man in so wretched a condition. We attempted to carry him into the cabin, but as soon as he had quitted the fresh air he fainted. We accordingly brought him back to the deck and restored him to animation20 by rubbing him with brandy and forcing him to swallow a small quantity. As soon as he showed signs of life we wrapped him up in blankets and placed him near the chimney of the kitchen stove. By slow degrees he recovered and ate a little soup, which restored him wonderfully.
Two days passed in this manner before he was able to speak, and I often feared that his sufferings had deprived him of understanding. When he had in some measure recovered, I removed him to my own cabin and attended on him as much as my duty would permit. I never saw a more interesting creature: his eyes have generally an expression of wildness, and even madness, but there are moments when, if anyone performs an act of kindness towards him or does him the most trifling21 service, his whole countenance22 is lighted up, as it were, with a beam of benevolence23 and sweetness that I never saw equalled. But he is generally melancholy24 and despairing, and sometimes he gnashes his teeth, as if impatient of the weight of woes25 that oppresses him.
When my guest was a little recovered I had great trouble to keep off the men, who wished to ask him a thousand questions; but I would not allow him to be tormented26 by their idle curiosity, in a state of body and mind whose restoration evidently depended upon entire repose27. Once, however, the lieutenant28 asked why he had come so far upon the ice in so strange a vehicle.
His countenance instantly assumed an aspect of the deepest gloom, and he replied, “To seek one who fled from me.”
“And did the man whom you pursued travel in the same fashion?”
“Yes.”
“Then I fancy we have seen him, for the day before we picked you up we saw some dogs drawing a sledge, with a man in it, across the ice.”
This aroused the stranger’s attention, and he asked a multitude of questions concerning the route which the demon29, as he called him, had pursued. Soon after, when he was alone with me, he said, “I have, doubtless, excited your curiosity, as well as that of these good people; but you are too considerate to make inquiries30.”
“Certainly; it would indeed be very impertinent and inhuman31 in me to trouble you with any inquisitiveness32 of mine.”
“And yet you rescued me from a strange and perilous33 situation; you have benevolently34 restored me to life.”
Soon after this he inquired if I thought that the breaking up of the ice had destroyed the other sledge. I replied that I could not answer with any degree of certainty, for the ice had not broken until near midnight, and the traveller might have arrived at a place of safety before that time; but of this I could not judge. From this time a new spirit of life animated35 the decaying frame of the stranger. He manifested the greatest eagerness to be upon deck to watch for the sledge which had before appeared; but I have persuaded him to remain in the cabin, for he is far too weak to sustain the rawness of the atmosphere. I have promised that someone should watch for him and give him instant notice if any new object should appear in sight.
Such is my journal of what relates to this strange occurrence up to the present day. The stranger has gradually improved in health but is very silent and appears uneasy when anyone except myself enters his cabin. Yet his manners are so conciliating and gentle that the sailors are all interested in him, although they have had very little communication with him. For my own part, I begin to love him as a brother, and his constant and deep grief fills me with sympathy and compassion36. He must have been a noble creature in his better days, being even now in wreck37 so attractive and amiable38. I said in one of my letters, my dear Margaret, that I should find no friend on the wide ocean; yet I have found a man who, before his spirit had been broken by misery39, I should have been happy to have possessed40 as the brother of my heart.
I shall continue my journal concerning the stranger at intervals41, should I have any fresh incidents to record.
August 13th, 17-
My affection for my guest increases every day. He excites at once my admiration42 and my pity to an astonishing degree. How can I see so noble a creature destroyed by misery without feeling the most poignant43 grief? He is so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated, and when he speaks, although his words are culled44 with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence45. He is now much recovered from his illness and is continually on the deck, apparently watching for the sledge that preceded his own. Yet, although unhappy, he is not so utterly46 occupied by his own misery but that he interests himself deeply in the projects of others. He has frequently conversed48 with me on mine, which I have communicated to him without disguise. He entered attentively49 into all my arguments in favour of my eventual50 success and into every minute detail of the measures I had taken to secure it. I was easily led by the sympathy which he evinced to use the language of my heart, to give utterance51 to the burning ardour of my soul and to say, with all the fervour that warmed me, how gladly I would sacrifice my fortune, my existence, my every hope, to the furtherance of my enterprise. One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought, for the dominion52 I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes53 of our race. As I spoke54, a dark gloom spread over my listener’s countenance. At first I perceived that he tried to suppress his emotion; he placed his hands before his eyes, and my voice quivered and failed me as I beheld tears trickle55 fast from between his fingers; a groan4 burst from his heaving breast. I paused; at length he spoke, in broken accents: “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating56 draught57? Hear me; let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips!”
Such words, you may imagine, strongly excited my curiosity; but the paroxysm of grief that had seized the stranger overcame his weakened powers, and many hours of repose and tranquil58 conversation were necessary to restore his composure. Having conquered the violence of his feelings, he appeared to despise himself for being the slave of passion; and quelling59 the dark tyranny of despair, he led me again to converse47 concerning myself personally. He asked me the history of my earlier years. The tale was quickly told, but it awakened60 various trains of reflection. I spoke of my desire of finding a friend, of my thirst for a more intimate sympathy with a fellow mind than had ever fallen to my lot, and expressed my conviction that a man could boast of little happiness who did not enjoy this blessing61. “I agree with you,” replied the stranger; “we are unfashioned creatures, but half made up, if one wiser, better, dearer than ourselves — such a friend ought to be — do not lend his aid to perfectionate our weak and faulty natures. I once had a friend, the most noble of human creatures, and am entitled, therefore, to judge respecting friendship. You have hope, and the world before you, and have no cause for despair. But I— I have lost everything and cannot begin life anew.”
As he said this his countenance became expressive62 of a calm, settled grief that touched me to the heart. But he was silent and presently retired63 to his cabin.
Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry64 sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth. Such a man has a double existence: he may suffer misery and be overwhelmed by disappointments, yet when he has retired into himself, he will be like a celestial65 spirit that has a halo around him, within whose circle no grief or folly66 ventures.
Will you smile at the enthusiasm I express concerning this divine wanderer? You would not if you saw him. You have been tutored and refined by books and retirement67 from the world, and you are therefore somewhat fastidious; but this only renders you the more fit to appreciate the extraordinary merits of this wonderful man. Sometimes I have endeavoured to discover what quality it is which he possesses that elevates him so immeasurably above any other person I ever knew. I believe it to be an intuitive discernment, a quick but never-failing power of judgment68, a penetration69 into the causes of things, unequalled for clearness and precision; add to this a facility of expression and a voice whose varied70 intonations71 are soul-subduing music.
August 19, 17-
Yesterday the stranger said to me, “You may easily perceive, Captain Walton, that I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes. I had determined72 at one time that the memory of these evils should die with me, but you have won me to alter my determination. You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently73 hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been. I do not know that the relation of my disasters will be useful to you; yet, when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course, exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me what I am, I imagine that you may deduce an apt moral from my tale, one that may direct you if you succeed in your undertaking74 and console you in case of failure. Prepare to hear of occurrences which are usually deemed marvellous. Were we among the tamer scenes of nature I might fear to encounter your unbelief, perhaps your ridicule75; but many things will appear possible in these wild and mysterious regions which would provoke the laughter of those unacquainted with the ever — varied powers of nature; nor can I doubt but that my tale conveys in its series internal evidence of the truth of the events of which it is composed.”
You may easily imagine that I was much gratified by the offered communication, yet I could not endure that he should renew his grief by a recital76 of his misfortunes. I felt the greatest eagerness to hear the promised narrative77, partly from curiosity and partly from a strong desire to ameliorate his fate if it were in my power. I expressed these feelings in my answer.
“I thank you,” he replied, “for your sympathy, but it is useless; my fate is nearly fulfilled. I wait but for one event, and then I shall repose in peace. I understand your feeling,” continued he, perceiving that I wished to interrupt him; “but you are mistaken, my friend, if thus you will allow me to name you; nothing can alter my destiny; listen to my history, and you will perceive how irrevocably it is determined.”
He then told me that he would commence his narrative the next day when I should be at leisure. This promise drew from me the warmest thanks. I have resolved every night, when I am not imperatively78 occupied by my duties, to record, as nearly as possible in his own words, what he has related during the day. If I should be engaged, I will at least make notes. This manuscript will doubtless afford you the greatest pleasure; but to me, who know him, and who hear it from his own lips — with what interest and sympathy shall I read it in some future day! Even now, as I commence my task, his full — toned voice swells79 in my ears; his lustrous80 eyes dwell on me with all their melancholy sweetness; I see his thin hand raised in animation, while the lineaments of his face are irradiated by the soul within.
Strange and harrowing must be his story, frightful81 the storm which embraced the gallant82 vessel on its course and wrecked83 it — thus!
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recording
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beheld
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groaned
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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solicitude
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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sledge
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| n.雪橇，大锤；v.用雪橇搬运，坐雪橇往 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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32
inquisitiveness
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| 好奇，求知欲 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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benevolently
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| adv.仁慈地，行善地 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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culled
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| v.挑选，剔除( cull的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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eventual
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| adj.最后的，结局的，最终的 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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trickle
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| vi.淌，滴，流出，慢慢移动，逐渐消散 | |
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intoxicating
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| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
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draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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quelling
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| v.（用武力）制止，结束，镇压( quell的现在分词 ) | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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intonations
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| n.语调，说话的抑扬顿挫( intonation的名词复数 )；（演奏或唱歌中的）音准 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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77
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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78
imperatively
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| adv.命令式地 | |
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79
swells
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| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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80
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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81
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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82
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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83
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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