It was on a dreary1 night of November that I beheld2 the accomplishment3 of my toils4. With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet. It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally5 against the panes7, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer8 of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated9 its limbs.
How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe10, or how delineate the wretch11 whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries12 beneath; his hair was of a lustrous13 black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid14 contrast with his watery15 eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets16 in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion17 and straight black lips.
The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human nature. I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room and continued a long time traversing my bed-chamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep. At length lassitude succeeded to the tumult18 I had before endured, and I threw myself on the bed in my clothes, endeavouring to seek a few moments of forgetfulness. But it was in vain; I slept, indeed, but I was disturbed by the wildest dreams. I thought I saw Elizabeth, in the bloom of health, walking in the streets of Ingolstadt. Delighted and surprised, I embraced her, but as I imprinted19 the first kiss on her lips, they became livid with the hue20 of death; her features appeared to change, and I thought that I held the corpse21 of my dead mother in my arms; a shroud22 enveloped23 her form, and I saw the grave-worms crawling in the folds of the flannel24. I started from my sleep with horror; a cold dew covered my forehead, my teeth chattered25, and every limb became convulsed; when, by the dim and yellow light of the moon, as it forced its way through the window shutters26, I beheld the wretch — the miserable27 monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed28 on me. His jaws29 opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped and rushed downstairs. I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited, where I remained during the rest of the night, walking up and down in the greatest agitation30, listening attentively32, catching33 and fearing each sound as if it were to announce the approach of the demoniacal corpse to which I had so miserably34 given life.
Oh! No mortal could support the horror of that countenance35. A mummy again endued36 with animation37 could not be so hideous38 as that wretch. I had gazed on him while unfinished; he was ugly then, but when those muscles and joints39 were rendered capable of motion, it became a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived.
I passed the night wretchedly. Sometimes my pulse beat so quickly and hardly that I felt the palpitation of every artery40; at others, I nearly sank to the ground through languor41 and extreme weakness. Mingled42 with this horror, I felt the bitterness of disappointment; dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me; and the change was so rapid, the overthrow43 so complete!
Morning, dismal6 and wet, at length dawned and discovered to my sleepless44 and aching eyes the church of Ingolstadt, its white steeple and clock, which indicated the sixth hour. The porter opened the gates of the court, which had that night been my asylum45, and I issued into the streets, pacing them with quick steps, as if I sought to avoid the wretch whom I feared every turning of the street would present to my view. I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited, but felt impelled46 to hurry on, although drenched47 by the rain which poured from a black and comfortless sky.
I continued walking in this manner for some time, endeavouring by bodily exercise to ease the load that weighed upon my mind. I traversed the streets without any clear conception of where I was or what I was doing. My heart palpitated in the sickness of fear, and I hurried on with irregular steps, not daring to look about me:
Like one who, on a lonely road,
?Doth walk in fear and dread48,
And, having once turned round, walks on,
?And turns no more his head;
Because he knows a frightful49 fiend
?Doth close behind him tread.
[Coleridge’s “Ancient Mariner50.”]
Continuing thus, I came at length opposite to the inn at which the various diligences and carriages usually stopped. Here I paused, I knew not why; but I remained some minutes with my eyes fixed on a coach that was coming towards me from the other end of the street. As it drew nearer I observed that it was the Swiss diligence; it stopped just where I was standing51, and on the door being opened, I perceived Henry Clerval, who, on seeing me, instantly sprung out. “My dear Frankenstein,” exclaimed he, “how glad I am to see you! How fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting!”
Nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval; his presence brought back to my thoughts my father, Elizabeth, and all those scenes of home so dear to my recollection. I grasped his hand, and in a moment forgot my horror and misfortune; I felt suddenly, and for the first time during many months, calm and serene52 joy. I welcomed my friend, therefore, in the most cordial manner, and we walked towards my college. Clerval continued talking for some time about our mutual53 friends and his own good fortune in being permitted to come to Ingolstadt. “You may easily believe,” said he, “how great was the difficulty to persuade my father that all necessary knowledge was not comprised in the noble art of bookkeeping; and, indeed, I believe I left him incredulous to the last, for his constant answer to my unwearied entreaties54 was the same as that of the Dutch schoolmaster in The Vicar of Wakefield: ‘I have ten thousand florins a year without Greek, I eat heartily55 without Greek.’ But his affection for me at length overcame his dislike of learning, and he has permitted me to undertake a voyage of discovery to the land of knowledge.”
“It gives me the greatest delight to see you; but tell me how you left my father, brothers, and Elizabeth.”
“Very well, and very happy, only a little uneasy that they hear from you so seldom. By the by, I mean to lecture you a little upon their account myself. But, my dear Frankenstein,” continued he, stopping short and gazing full in my face, “I did not before remark how very ill you appear; so thin and pale; you look as if you had been watching for several nights.”
“You have guessed right; I have lately been so deeply engaged in one occupation that I have not allowed myself sufficient rest, as you see; but I hope, I sincerely hope, that all these employments are now at an end and that I am at length free.”
I trembled excessively; I could not endure to think of, and far less to allude56 to, the occurrences of the preceding night. I walked with a quick pace, and we soon arrived at my college. I then reflected, and the thought made me shiver, that the creature whom I had left in my apartment might still be there, alive and walking about. I dreaded57 to behold58 this monster, but I feared still more that Henry should see him. Entreating59 him, therefore, to remain a few minutes at the bottom of the stairs, I darted60 up towards my own room. My hand was already on the lock of the door before I recollected61 myself. I then paused, and a cold shivering came over me. I threw the door forcibly open, as children are accustomed to do when they expect a spectre to stand in waiting for them on the other side; but nothing appeared. I stepped fearfully in: the apartment was empty, and my bedroom was also freed from its hideous guest. I could hardly believe that so great a good fortune could have befallen me, but when I became assured that my enemy had indeed fled, I clapped my hands for joy and ran down to Clerval.
We ascended62 into my room, and the servant presently brought breakfast; but I was unable to contain myself. It was not joy only that possessed63 me; I felt my flesh tingle64 with excess of sensitiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly. I was unable to remain for a single instant in the same place; I jumped over the chairs, clapped my hands, and laughed aloud. Clerval at first attributed my unusual spirits to joy on his arrival, but when he observed me more attentively, he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account, and my loud, unrestrained, heartless laughter frightened and astonished him.
“My dear Victor,” cried he, “what, for God’s sake, is the matter? Do not laugh in that manner. How ill you are! What is the cause of all this?”
“Do not ask me,” cried I, putting my hands before my eyes, for I thought I saw the dreaded spectre glide65 into the room; “HE can tell. Oh, save me! Save me!” I imagined that the monster seized me; I struggled furiously and fell down in a fit.
Poor Clerval! What must have been his feelings? A meeting, which he anticipated with such joy, so strangely turned to bitterness. But I was not the witness of his grief, for I was lifeless and did not recover my senses for a long, long time.
This was the commencement of a nervous fever which confined me for several months. During all that time Henry was my only nurse. I afterwards learned that, knowing my father’s advanced age and unfitness for so long a journey, and how wretched my sickness would make Elizabeth, he spared them this grief by concealing66 the extent of my disorder67. He knew that I could not have a more kind and attentive31 nurse than himself; and, firm in the hope he felt of my recovery, he did not doubt that, instead of doing harm, he performed the kindest action that he could towards them.
But I was in reality very ill, and surely nothing but the unbounded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life. The form of the monster on whom I had bestowed68 existence was forever before my eyes, and I raved69 incessantly70 concerning him. Doubtless my words surprised Henry; he at first believed them to be the wanderings of my disturbed imagination, but the pertinacity71 with which I continually recurred72 to the same subject persuaded him that my disorder indeed owed its origin to some uncommon73 and terrible event.
By very slow degrees, and with frequent relapses that alarmed and grieved my friend, I recovered. I remember the first time I became capable of observing outward objects with any kind of pleasure, I perceived that the fallen leaves had disappeared and that the young buds were shooting forth74 from the trees that shaded my window. It was a divine spring, and the season contributed greatly to my convalescence75. I felt also sentiments of joy and affection revive in my bosom76; my gloom disappeared, and in a short time I became as cheerful as before I was attacked by the fatal passion.
“Dearest Clerval,” exclaimed I, “how kind, how very good you are to me. This whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, has been consumed in my sick room. How shall I ever repay you? I feel the greatest remorse77 for the disappointment of which I have been the occasion, but you will forgive me.”
“You will repay me entirely78 if you do not discompose yourself, but get well as fast as you can; and since you appear in such good spirits, I may speak to you on one subject, may I not?”
I trembled. One subject! What could it be? Could he allude to an object on whom I dared not even think? “Compose yourself,” said Clerval, who observed my change of colour, “I will not mention it if it agitates79 you; but your father and cousin would be very happy if they received a letter from you in your own handwriting. They hardly know how ill you have been and are uneasy at your long silence.”
“Is that all, my dear Henry? How could you suppose that my first thought would not fly towards those dear, dear friends whom I love and who are so deserving of my love?”
“If this is your present temper, my friend, you will perhaps be glad to see a letter that has been lying here some days for you; it is from your cousin, I believe.”
收听单词发音 |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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toils
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| 网 | |
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dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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arteries
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| n.动脉( artery的名词复数 )；干线，要道 | |
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13
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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14
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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imprinted
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| v.盖印（imprint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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flannel
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| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
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chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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27
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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28
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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29
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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30
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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31
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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32
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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35
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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36
endued
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| v.授予，赋予（特性、才能等）( endue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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38
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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39
joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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40
artery
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| n.干线，要道；动脉 | |
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languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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43
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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drenched
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| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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51
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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52
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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53
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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54
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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raved
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| v.胡言乱语( rave的过去式和过去分词 )；愤怒地说；咆哮；痴心地说 | |
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incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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pertinacity
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| n.执拗，顽固 | |
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recurred
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| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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convalescence
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| n.病后康复期 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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agitates
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| 搅动( agitate的第三人称单数 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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