Act I, Scene IV
SCENE FOUR.
-- Outside of the Pavilion. (As before.)
FRANKENSTEIN, in great agitation, rushes from the
pavilion, locking the door after him.
Frank. (after a pause of much terror)
Have all my dreams of greatness ended here? Is this the boasted
wonder of my science, is this the offspring of long years of
toilsome study and noisome labour? Is my fairest model of
perfection come to this -- a hideous monster, a loathsome mass of
animated putrefaction, whom but to gaze on chills with horror,
even me, his maker? How, how shall I secrete him, how destroy --
? Heaven! to think that in the very moment of fruition, when all
my toils were ended and I should glory in their noble
consummation, my first, my dearest, only wish, is to annihilate
what I have made! Horrible object, wretched produce of my
ill-directed efforts! never must thou meet another eye than mine,
never must thou gaze upon a human being, whom thy fell aspect
sure would kill with terror! (a tremendous crash is heard, the
MONSTER breaks through the door of the pavilion) Ah! he is
here! I have endued him with a giant's strength, and he will use
it to pluck down ruin on his maker's head. (music -- the
MONSTER approaches him with gestures of conciliation) Hence!
avoid me! do not approach me, wretch! thy horrid contact would
spread a pestilence throughout my veins; touch me, and I will
straightway strike thee back to nothingness! (the MONSTER
still approaches him with friendly gestures -- FRANKENSTEIN {11}
endeavours to stab him with his dagger, which the MONSTER strikes
from his hand -- whilst the MONSTER is taking up the dagger, and
admiring its form, FRANKENSTEIN steals off, L. -- the MONSTER,
perceiving him gone, rushes off, as if in pursuit, but in an
opposite direction, R.)
Act
Scene
