Act II, Scene IV
SCENE FOUR.
-- A tremendous range of craggy precipices, near the summit of
Mount Etna. On the R. a conspicuous pillar of rock stands on a
lofty elevation -- the only approach to the stage is from the
depths below.
The MONSTER, with gigantic strides, ascends from below
with EMMELINE and the CHILD -- she is overcome with fatigue and
terror and unable to speak -- the MONSTER gains the elevation,
and with a cord that is round his waist, binds EMMELINE to the
pillar of rock -- he returns to the CHILD -- EMMELINE sinks on
her knees in supplication -- FRANKENSTEIN with great difficulty
ascends from below -- he perceives his CHILD in the MONSTER's
power -- he is about to rush on him; the MONSTER defies him, and
FRANKENSTEIN, recollecting his former defeats, abandons his
threatening gestures and assumes one of entreaty.
Frank.
Demon of cruelty, art thou still insatiate with the blood of
innocence? how many victims does it require to content thy rage?
I do implore thee; I, thy creator, who gave thee life, who endued
thee with that matchless strength I cannot hope to master, I, on
my knees, entreat thee but to spare that innocent. If fury and
the thirst of blood be in thy hellish nature, on me, on me glut
thy fell appetite, but oh, if in thy human frame there dwells one
spark of human sympathy or feeling, spare, spare that unoffending
child!
(The MONSTER points to his wound, expresses that he
would willingly have served FRANKENSTEIN and befriended him, but
that all his overtures were repelled with scorn and abhorrence --
then, with malignant exultation seizes on the CHILD, and whirls
it aloft, as if about to dash it down the rock -- EMMELINE
screams, FRANKENSTEIN, with a cry of horror, covers his eyes --
at this moment a thought occurs to EMMELINE, she pulls from under
her dress a small flageolet, and begins to play an air, its
effect on the MONSTER is instantaneous -- he is at once
astonished and delighted, he places the CHILD on the ground, his
feelings become more powerfully affected by the music, and his
attention absorbed by it -- the CHILD escapes to its father --
EMMELINE continues to play, FRANKENSTEIN intently to watch its
effect on the MONSTER. {23} As the air proceeds his feelings
become more powerfully excited, he is moved to tears; afterwards,
on the music assuming a lively character, he is worked up to a
paroxysm of delight, and on its again becoming mournful, is quite
subdued, till he lays down exhausted at the foot of the rock to
which EMMELINE is attached. -- STRUTT now ascends with RITZBERG,
and a number of PEASANTS variously armed, and furnished with
strong cords.)
Strut.
There he is! that's him! that's my gentleman! and luckily for us,
he seems in a bit a of snooze -- now's our time or never. On him,
my lads, and bind him fast, and then we shall be all right.
(with RITZBERG and others, he immediately falls on the
MONSTER, and they bind him stoutly with cords -- FRANKENSTEIN has
meantime released EMMELINE -- the MONSTER makes prodigious
exertions of strength to burst his bonds, but he is overpowered
by the number of his adversaries.) Away, away, sir, and place
the lady and child in safety. I'll take care, and accommodate
this gentleman with snug quarters.
Frank.
Faithful creature! Eternal Providence, receive my thanks; and if
it be thy pleasure to inflict on me an added punishment, oh! on
this guilty head alone direct thy wrath; spare those who are most
dear to me, those whose innocence may challenge thy compassion!
(with EMMELINE and the CHILD he commences the descent, and
disappears.)
Strut.
Now I think the best thing we can do is to fasten my gentleman to
this pinnacle of rock; the cool air of this exalted region may
give him an appetite; but he will stand very little chance of
getting it gratified, unless the lava should flow from the
volcano, and that may be a kind of cordial for him. (they are
binding him to the rock, R., the MONSTER making a furious
resistance, in the course of which he hurls one of the PEASANTS
to the depths below) That's right, make a tight job of it,
whilst you are about it; for if he once gets loose, he'll play
the devil with you all; he'd crack you like so many walnuts.
There, I think he'll do now; there's not much fear of his
troubling us again for one while. If he gets away from here, and
finds his way down to terra firma again, I'll give him leave to
drink hob-and-nob with me, in the cup I have filled to celebrate
his overthrow. (they descend the precipice leaving the MONSTER
attached to the pinnacle of rock -- when they are gone, he
redoubles his efforts to escape from his bonds, and at length
succeeds -- he surveys the chasm, and is afraid to venture down
it -- he firmly attaches to the pinnacle one end
{24} of the cord by which he was bound -- and by means of this
lowers himself down the chasm.)
Act
Scene
