Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
is your duty as a magistrate, and I believe and hope that your feelings `
` as a man will not revolt from the execution of those functions on this `
` occasion." This address caused a considerable change in the `
` physiognomy of my own auditor. He had heard my story with that half `
` kind of belief that is given to a tale of spirits and supernatural `
` events; but when he was called upon to act officially in consequence, `
` the whole tide of his incredulity returned. He, however, answered `
` mildly, "I would willingly afford you every aid in your pursuit, but `
` the creature of whom you speak appears to have powers which would put `
` all my exertions to defiance. Who can follow an animal which can `
` traverse the sea of ice and inhabit caves and dens where no man would `
` venture to intrude? Besides, some months have elapsed since the `
` commission of his crimes, and no one can conjecture to what place he `
` has wandered or what region he may now inhabit." `
` `
` "I do not doubt that he hovers near the spot which I inhabit, and if he `
` has indeed taken refuge in the Alps, he may be hunted like the chamois `
` and destroyed as a beast of prey. But I perceive your thoughts; you do `
` not credit my narrative and do not intend to pursue my enemy with the `
` punishment which is his desert." As I spoke, rage sparkled in my eyes; `
` the magistrate was intimidated. "You are mistaken," said he. "I will `
` exert myself, and if it is in my power to seize the monster, be assured `
` that he shall suffer punishment proportionate to his crimes. But I `
` fear, from what you have yourself described to be his properties, that `
` this will prove impracticable; and thus, while every proper measure is `
` pursued, you should make up your mind to disappointment." `
` `
` "That cannot be; but all that I can say will be of little avail. My `
` revenge is of no moment to you; yet, while I allow it to be a vice, I `
` confess that it is the devouring and only passion of my soul. My rage `
` is unspeakable when I reflect that the murderer, whom I have turned `
` loose upon society, still exists. You refuse my just demand; I have `
` but one resource, and I devote myself, either in my life or death, to `
` his destruction." `
` `
` I trembled with excess of agitation as I said this; there was a frenzy `
` in my manner, and something, I doubt not, of that haughty fierceness `
` which the martyrs of old are said to have possessed. But to a Genevan `
` magistrate, whose mind was occupied by far other ideas than those of `
` devotion and heroism, this elevation of mind had much the appearance of `
` madness. He endeavoured to soothe me as a nurse does a child and `
` reverted to my tale as the effects of delirium. `
` `
` "Man," I cried, "how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom! Cease; `
` you know not what it is you say." `
` `
` I broke from the house angry and disturbed and retired to meditate on `
` some other mode of action. `
` `
` `
` Chapter 24 `
` `
` My present situation was one in which all voluntary thought was `
` swallowed up and lost. I was hurried away by fury; revenge alone `
` endowed me with strength and composure; it moulded my feelings and `
` allowed me to be calculating and calm at periods when otherwise `
` delirium or death would have been my portion. `
` `
` My first resolution was to quit Geneva forever; my country, which, when `
` I was happy and beloved, was dear to me, now, in my adversity, became `
` hateful. I provided myself with a sum of money, together with a few `
` jewels which had belonged to my mother, and departed. And now my `
` wanderings began which are to cease but with life. I have traversed a `
` vast portion of the earth and have endured all the hardships which `
` travellers in deserts and barbarous countries are wont to meet. How I `
` have lived I hardly know; many times have I stretched my failing limbs `
` upon the sandy plain and prayed for death. But revenge kept me alive; `
` I dared not die and leave my adversary in being. `
` `
` When I quitted Geneva my first labour was to gain some clue by which I `
` might trace the steps of my fiendish enemy. But my plan was unsettled, `
` and I wandered many hours round the confines of the town, uncertain `
` what path I should pursue. As night approached I found myself at the `
` entrance of the cemetery where William, Elizabeth, and my father `
` reposed. I entered it and approached the tomb which marked their `
` graves. Everything was silent except the leaves of the trees, which `
` were gently agitated by the wind; the night was nearly dark, and the `
` scene would have been solemn and affecting even to an uninterested `
` observer. The spirits of the departed seemed to flit around and to `
` cast a shadow, which was felt but not seen, around the head of the `
` mourner. `
` `
` The deep grief which this scene had at first excited quickly gave way `
` to rage and despair. They were dead, and I lived; their murderer also `
` lived, and to destroy him I must drag out my weary existence. I knelt `
` on the grass and kissed the earth and with quivering lips exclaimed, `
` "By the sacred earth on which I kneel, by the shades that wander near `
` me, by the deep and eternal grief that I feel, I swear; and by thee, O `
` Night, and the spirits that preside over thee, to pursue the daemon who `
` caused this misery, until he or I shall perish in mortal conflict. For `
` this purpose I will preserve my life; to execute this dear revenge will `
` I again behold the sun and tread the green herbage of earth, which `
` otherwise should vanish from my eyes forever. And I call on you, `
` spirits of the dead, and on you, wandering ministers of vengeance, to `
` aid and conduct me in my work. Let the cursed and hellish monster `
` drink deep of agony; let him feel the despair that now torments me." I `
` had begun my adjuration with solemnity and an awe which almost assured `
` me that the shades of my murdered friends heard and approved my `
` devotion, but the furies possessed me as I concluded, and rage choked `
` my utterance. `
` `
` I was answered through the stillness of night by a loud and fiendish `
` laugh. It rang on my ears long and heavily; the mountains re-echoed `
` it, and I felt as if all hell surrounded me with mockery and laughter. `
` Surely in that moment I should have been possessed by frenzy and have `
` destroyed my miserable existence but that my vow was heard and that I `
` was reserved for vengeance. The laughter died away, when a well-known `
` and abhorred voice, apparently close to my ear, addressed me in an `
` audible whisper, "I am satisfied, miserable wretch! You have `
` determined to live, and I am satisfied." `
` `
` I darted towards the spot from which the sound proceeded, but the devil `
` eluded my grasp. Suddenly the broad disk of the moon arose and shone `
` full upon his ghastly and distorted shape as he fled with more than `
` mortal speed. `
` `
` I pursued him, and for many months this has been my task. Guided by a `
` slight clue, I followed the windings of the Rhone, but vainly. The `
` blue Mediterranean appeared, and by a strange chance, I saw the fiend `
` enter by night and hide himself in a vessel bound for the Black Sea. I `
` took my passage in the same ship, but he escaped, I know not how. `
` `
` Amidst the wilds of Tartary and Russia, although he still evaded me, I `
` have ever followed in his track. Sometimes the peasants, scared by `
` this horrid apparition, informed me of his path; sometimes he himself, `
` who feared that if I lost all trace of him I should despair and die, `
` left some mark to guide me. The snows descended on my head, and I saw `
` the print of his huge step on the white plain. To you first entering `
` on life, to whom care is new and agony unknown, how can you understand `
` what I have felt and still feel? Cold, want, and fatigue were the `
` least pains which I was destined to endure; I was cursed by some devil `
` and carried about with me my eternal hell; yet still a spirit of good `
` followed and directed my steps and when I most murmured would suddenly `
` extricate me from seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Sometimes, `
` when nature, overcome by hunger, sank under the exhaustion, a repast `
` was prepared for me in the desert that restored and inspirited me. The `
` fare was, indeed, coarse, such as the peasants of the country ate, but `
` I will not doubt that it was set there by the spirits that I had `
` invoked to aid me. Often, when all was dry, the heavens cloudless, and `
` I was parched by thirst, a slight cloud would bedim the sky, shed the `
` few drops that revived me, and vanish. `
` `
` I followed, when I could, the courses of the rivers; but the daemon `
` generally avoided these, as it was here that the population of the `
` country chiefly collected. In other places human beings were seldom `
` seen, and I generally subsisted on the wild animals that crossed my `
` path. I had money with me and gained the friendship of the villagers `
` by distributing it; or I brought with me some food that I had killed, `
` which, after taking a small part, I always presented to those who had `
` provided me with fire and utensils for cooking. `
` `
` My life, as it passed thus, was indeed hateful to me, and it was during `
` sleep alone that I could taste joy. O blessed sleep! Often, when most `
` miserable, I sank to repose, and my dreams lulled me even to rapture. `
` The spirits that guarded me had provided these moments, or rather `
` hours, of happiness that I might retain strength to fulfil my `
` pilgrimage. Deprived of this respite, I should have sunk under my `
` hardships. During the day I was sustained and inspirited by the hope `
` of night, for in sleep I saw my friends, my wife, and my beloved `
` country; again I saw the benevolent countenance of my father, heard the `
` silver tones of my Elizabeth's voice, and beheld Clerval enjoying `
` health and youth. Often, when wearied by a toilsome march, I persuaded `
` myself that I was dreaming until night should come and that I should `
` then enjoy reality in the arms of my dearest friends. What agonizing `
` fondness did I feel for them! How did I cling to their dear forms, as `
` sometimes they haunted even my waking hours, and persuade myself that `
` they still lived! At such moments vengeance, that burned within me, `
` died in my heart, and I pursued my path towards the destruction of the `
` daemon more as a task enjoined by heaven, as the mechanical impulse of `
` some power of which I was unconscious, than as the ardent desire of my `
` soul. What his feelings were whom I pursued I cannot know. Sometimes, `
` indeed, he left marks in writing on the barks of the trees or cut in `
` stone that guided me and instigated my fury. "My reign is not yet `
` over"--these words were legible in one of these inscriptions--"you `
` live, and my power is complete. Follow me; I seek the everlasting ices `
` of the north, where you will feel the misery of cold and frost, to `
` which I am impassive. You will find near this place, if you follow not `
` too tardily, a dead hare; eat and be refreshed. Come on, my enemy; we `
` have yet to wrestle for our lives, but many hard and miserable hours `
` must you endure until that period shall arrive." `
` `
` Scoffing devil! Again do I vow vengeance; again do I devote thee, `
` miserable fiend, to torture and death. Never will I give up my search `
` until he or I perish; and then with what ecstasy shall I join my `
` Elizabeth and my departed friends, who even now prepare for me the `
` reward of my tedious toil and horrible pilgrimage! `
` `
` As I still pursued my journey to the northward, the snows thickened and `
` the cold increased in a degree almost too severe to support. The `
` peasants were shut up in their hovels, and only a few of the most hardy `
` ventured forth to seize the animals whom starvation had forced from `
` their hiding-places to seek for prey. The rivers were covered with `
` ice, and no fish could be procured; and thus I was cut off from my `
` chief article of maintenance. The triumph of my enemy increased with `
` the difficulty of my labours. One inscription that he left was in `
` these words: "Prepare! Your toils only begin; wrap yourself in furs `
` and provide food, for we shall soon enter upon a journey where your `
` sufferings will satisfy my everlasting hatred." `
` `
` My courage and perseverance were invigorated by these scoffing words; I `
` resolved not to fail in my purpose, and calling on heaven to support `
`
` as a man will not revolt from the execution of those functions on this `
` occasion." This address caused a considerable change in the `
` physiognomy of my own auditor. He had heard my story with that half `
` kind of belief that is given to a tale of spirits and supernatural `
` events; but when he was called upon to act officially in consequence, `
` the whole tide of his incredulity returned. He, however, answered `
` mildly, "I would willingly afford you every aid in your pursuit, but `
` the creature of whom you speak appears to have powers which would put `
` all my exertions to defiance. Who can follow an animal which can `
` traverse the sea of ice and inhabit caves and dens where no man would `
` venture to intrude? Besides, some months have elapsed since the `
` commission of his crimes, and no one can conjecture to what place he `
` has wandered or what region he may now inhabit." `
` `
` "I do not doubt that he hovers near the spot which I inhabit, and if he `
` has indeed taken refuge in the Alps, he may be hunted like the chamois `
` and destroyed as a beast of prey. But I perceive your thoughts; you do `
` not credit my narrative and do not intend to pursue my enemy with the `
` punishment which is his desert." As I spoke, rage sparkled in my eyes; `
` the magistrate was intimidated. "You are mistaken," said he. "I will `
` exert myself, and if it is in my power to seize the monster, be assured `
` that he shall suffer punishment proportionate to his crimes. But I `
` fear, from what you have yourself described to be his properties, that `
` this will prove impracticable; and thus, while every proper measure is `
` pursued, you should make up your mind to disappointment." `
` `
` "That cannot be; but all that I can say will be of little avail. My `
` revenge is of no moment to you; yet, while I allow it to be a vice, I `
` confess that it is the devouring and only passion of my soul. My rage `
` is unspeakable when I reflect that the murderer, whom I have turned `
` loose upon society, still exists. You refuse my just demand; I have `
` but one resource, and I devote myself, either in my life or death, to `
` his destruction." `
` `
` I trembled with excess of agitation as I said this; there was a frenzy `
` in my manner, and something, I doubt not, of that haughty fierceness `
` which the martyrs of old are said to have possessed. But to a Genevan `
` magistrate, whose mind was occupied by far other ideas than those of `
` devotion and heroism, this elevation of mind had much the appearance of `
` madness. He endeavoured to soothe me as a nurse does a child and `
` reverted to my tale as the effects of delirium. `
` `
` "Man," I cried, "how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom! Cease; `
` you know not what it is you say." `
` `
` I broke from the house angry and disturbed and retired to meditate on `
` some other mode of action. `
` `
` `
` Chapter 24 `
` `
` My present situation was one in which all voluntary thought was `
` swallowed up and lost. I was hurried away by fury; revenge alone `
` endowed me with strength and composure; it moulded my feelings and `
` allowed me to be calculating and calm at periods when otherwise `
` delirium or death would have been my portion. `
` `
` My first resolution was to quit Geneva forever; my country, which, when `
` I was happy and beloved, was dear to me, now, in my adversity, became `
` hateful. I provided myself with a sum of money, together with a few `
` jewels which had belonged to my mother, and departed. And now my `
` wanderings began which are to cease but with life. I have traversed a `
` vast portion of the earth and have endured all the hardships which `
` travellers in deserts and barbarous countries are wont to meet. How I `
` have lived I hardly know; many times have I stretched my failing limbs `
` upon the sandy plain and prayed for death. But revenge kept me alive; `
` I dared not die and leave my adversary in being. `
` `
` When I quitted Geneva my first labour was to gain some clue by which I `
` might trace the steps of my fiendish enemy. But my plan was unsettled, `
` and I wandered many hours round the confines of the town, uncertain `
` what path I should pursue. As night approached I found myself at the `
` entrance of the cemetery where William, Elizabeth, and my father `
` reposed. I entered it and approached the tomb which marked their `
` graves. Everything was silent except the leaves of the trees, which `
` were gently agitated by the wind; the night was nearly dark, and the `
` scene would have been solemn and affecting even to an uninterested `
` observer. The spirits of the departed seemed to flit around and to `
` cast a shadow, which was felt but not seen, around the head of the `
` mourner. `
` `
` The deep grief which this scene had at first excited quickly gave way `
` to rage and despair. They were dead, and I lived; their murderer also `
` lived, and to destroy him I must drag out my weary existence. I knelt `
` on the grass and kissed the earth and with quivering lips exclaimed, `
` "By the sacred earth on which I kneel, by the shades that wander near `
` me, by the deep and eternal grief that I feel, I swear; and by thee, O `
` Night, and the spirits that preside over thee, to pursue the daemon who `
` caused this misery, until he or I shall perish in mortal conflict. For `
` this purpose I will preserve my life; to execute this dear revenge will `
` I again behold the sun and tread the green herbage of earth, which `
` otherwise should vanish from my eyes forever. And I call on you, `
` spirits of the dead, and on you, wandering ministers of vengeance, to `
` aid and conduct me in my work. Let the cursed and hellish monster `
` drink deep of agony; let him feel the despair that now torments me." I `
` had begun my adjuration with solemnity and an awe which almost assured `
` me that the shades of my murdered friends heard and approved my `
` devotion, but the furies possessed me as I concluded, and rage choked `
` my utterance. `
` `
` I was answered through the stillness of night by a loud and fiendish `
` laugh. It rang on my ears long and heavily; the mountains re-echoed `
` it, and I felt as if all hell surrounded me with mockery and laughter. `
` Surely in that moment I should have been possessed by frenzy and have `
` destroyed my miserable existence but that my vow was heard and that I `
` was reserved for vengeance. The laughter died away, when a well-known `
` and abhorred voice, apparently close to my ear, addressed me in an `
` audible whisper, "I am satisfied, miserable wretch! You have `
` determined to live, and I am satisfied." `
` `
` I darted towards the spot from which the sound proceeded, but the devil `
` eluded my grasp. Suddenly the broad disk of the moon arose and shone `
` full upon his ghastly and distorted shape as he fled with more than `
` mortal speed. `
` `
` I pursued him, and for many months this has been my task. Guided by a `
` slight clue, I followed the windings of the Rhone, but vainly. The `
` blue Mediterranean appeared, and by a strange chance, I saw the fiend `
` enter by night and hide himself in a vessel bound for the Black Sea. I `
` took my passage in the same ship, but he escaped, I know not how. `
` `
` Amidst the wilds of Tartary and Russia, although he still evaded me, I `
` have ever followed in his track. Sometimes the peasants, scared by `
` this horrid apparition, informed me of his path; sometimes he himself, `
` who feared that if I lost all trace of him I should despair and die, `
` left some mark to guide me. The snows descended on my head, and I saw `
` the print of his huge step on the white plain. To you first entering `
` on life, to whom care is new and agony unknown, how can you understand `
` what I have felt and still feel? Cold, want, and fatigue were the `
` least pains which I was destined to endure; I was cursed by some devil `
` and carried about with me my eternal hell; yet still a spirit of good `
` followed and directed my steps and when I most murmured would suddenly `
` extricate me from seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Sometimes, `
` when nature, overcome by hunger, sank under the exhaustion, a repast `
` was prepared for me in the desert that restored and inspirited me. The `
` fare was, indeed, coarse, such as the peasants of the country ate, but `
` I will not doubt that it was set there by the spirits that I had `
` invoked to aid me. Often, when all was dry, the heavens cloudless, and `
` I was parched by thirst, a slight cloud would bedim the sky, shed the `
` few drops that revived me, and vanish. `
` `
` I followed, when I could, the courses of the rivers; but the daemon `
` generally avoided these, as it was here that the population of the `
` country chiefly collected. In other places human beings were seldom `
` seen, and I generally subsisted on the wild animals that crossed my `
` path. I had money with me and gained the friendship of the villagers `
` by distributing it; or I brought with me some food that I had killed, `
` which, after taking a small part, I always presented to those who had `
` provided me with fire and utensils for cooking. `
` `
` My life, as it passed thus, was indeed hateful to me, and it was during `
` sleep alone that I could taste joy. O blessed sleep! Often, when most `
` miserable, I sank to repose, and my dreams lulled me even to rapture. `
` The spirits that guarded me had provided these moments, or rather `
` hours, of happiness that I might retain strength to fulfil my `
` pilgrimage. Deprived of this respite, I should have sunk under my `
` hardships. During the day I was sustained and inspirited by the hope `
` of night, for in sleep I saw my friends, my wife, and my beloved `
` country; again I saw the benevolent countenance of my father, heard the `
` silver tones of my Elizabeth's voice, and beheld Clerval enjoying `
` health and youth. Often, when wearied by a toilsome march, I persuaded `
` myself that I was dreaming until night should come and that I should `
` then enjoy reality in the arms of my dearest friends. What agonizing `
` fondness did I feel for them! How did I cling to their dear forms, as `
` sometimes they haunted even my waking hours, and persuade myself that `
` they still lived! At such moments vengeance, that burned within me, `
` died in my heart, and I pursued my path towards the destruction of the `
` daemon more as a task enjoined by heaven, as the mechanical impulse of `
` some power of which I was unconscious, than as the ardent desire of my `
` soul. What his feelings were whom I pursued I cannot know. Sometimes, `
` indeed, he left marks in writing on the barks of the trees or cut in `
` stone that guided me and instigated my fury. "My reign is not yet `
` over"--these words were legible in one of these inscriptions--"you `
` live, and my power is complete. Follow me; I seek the everlasting ices `
` of the north, where you will feel the misery of cold and frost, to `
` which I am impassive. You will find near this place, if you follow not `
` too tardily, a dead hare; eat and be refreshed. Come on, my enemy; we `
` have yet to wrestle for our lives, but many hard and miserable hours `
` must you endure until that period shall arrive." `
` `
` Scoffing devil! Again do I vow vengeance; again do I devote thee, `
` miserable fiend, to torture and death. Never will I give up my search `
` until he or I perish; and then with what ecstasy shall I join my `
` Elizabeth and my departed friends, who even now prepare for me the `
` reward of my tedious toil and horrible pilgrimage! `
` `
` As I still pursued my journey to the northward, the snows thickened and `
` the cold increased in a degree almost too severe to support. The `
` peasants were shut up in their hovels, and only a few of the most hardy `
` ventured forth to seize the animals whom starvation had forced from `
` their hiding-places to seek for prey. The rivers were covered with `
` ice, and no fish could be procured; and thus I was cut off from my `
` chief article of maintenance. The triumph of my enemy increased with `
` the difficulty of my labours. One inscription that he left was in `
` these words: "Prepare! Your toils only begin; wrap yourself in furs `
` and provide food, for we shall soon enter upon a journey where your `
` sufferings will satisfy my everlasting hatred." `
` `
` My courage and perseverance were invigorated by these scoffing words; I `
` resolved not to fail in my purpose, and calling on heaven to support `
`