Act I, Scene II
SCENE SECOND.
(2nd Grooves.) A nearer view of the outside of the Pavilion,
appropriated as Frankenstein's study -- practicable door, and
transparent window above (dark.)
Enter FRANKENSTEIN from the Pavilion.
Frank.
It comes -- it comes! 'tis nigh -- the moment that shall crown my
patient labours, that shall gild my toilsome studies with the
brightest joy that e'er was yet attained by mortal man. What
monarch's power, what general's valour, or what hero's fame, will
rank with that of Frankenstein? What can their choicest efforts
accomplish, but to destroy? 'Tis mine, mine only, to create, to
breathe the breath of life into a mass of putrifying mortality;
'tis mine to call into existence a form conceived in my own
notions of perfection! How vain, how worthless is the noblest
fame compared to mine? Frankenstein shall be the first of men!
And this triumph is at hand; but a few moments and it is
accomplished! Burst not, high swelling heart, with his
o'erwhelming tide of joy!
Enter JULIO, R.
Julio.
Ah, my dear sir, I have not seen you before, today; I am so glad
to meet with you.
Frank. (abstractedly)
'Tis well, boy. Good even to you.
Julio.
{8} There are such doings in the palace; such feastings, and such
merry-makings, and all, as they say, for you.
Frank.
Why that is better; 'tis as it should be. Doubt not, I will be
with ye. Let the full bowl high sparkle, let the joyous note
swell loud; I will be there, exulting in my triumph.
Julio.
Aye, but moreover than all that I could -- but I don't think I
shall, because it was told to me as a very great secret -- I
could tell you of something that would make you so happy.
Frank.
I shall, I must be happy; the secret is my own. Leave me, boy;
leave me.
Julio.
Nay, now you do not love your poor Julio; I'm sure I know not how
I have offended you; but you never spoke to me thus harshly
before.
Frank. (embraces him)
Nay, my pretty pupil, my affectionate Julio, I must love thee
ever. I am disturbed by intense study, and for a few moments I
would be alone.
Julio.
If you are sure you love me, I will leave you; but if I had
offended you, I would not leave you till you had forgiven me, I
would not, indeed; we shall see you anon. I shall know where to
find you, by my pretty aunt Rosaura's side. Oh, if you did but
know what I could tell you! (he runs off, R.)
Frank.
The time is come, the glorious moment is arrived. Now,
Frankenstein achieve the mighty work, gain that best of victories
-- a victory over the grave!
(Exit into the pavilion.
Enter STRUTT, with a ladder, and LISETTA,
L.
Strut.
Well, now, do you know, Lisetta, I'm going to do a great deal
more for you than I dare to do for myself. I'm dying to know what
my master is about yonder, but if he should catch me peeping,
what a jolly thump of the head I shall get to be sure; and then,
Lisetta, you have it in your power to break my heart, and that's
a great deal worse.
Liset.
Well, now, without any more ado, you put the ladder against the
window, and hold it fast, whilst I mount up and see what he is
about.
Strut.
Fie, for shame, Lisetta, what are you thinking about? I'll get up
the ladder, and I'll report all that I see to you below.
Liset.
Well, just as you please, only I'd rather peep myself, {9}
because you know, seeing is believing. (STRUTT places the
ladder against the window of the pavilion, mounts it, and peeps
in -- a faint glimmering of light is seen through the window)
Well, now, what can you see?
Strut.
Why, I can see a little fire, and a great deal of smoke.
Liset.
And I suppose all your boasted discoveries will end in smoke.
Strut.
Oh! now I can see better; and would you believe it, Lisetta, from
all I can see, I really do think, at least it seems so to me,
that my master is making a man.
Liset.
Making a man! What is not he alone?
Strut.
Yes, quite alone. (a strong and sudden flash of light is now
seen at the window -- STRUTT slides down the ladder) Oh,
lord! that's too much for me! he's raising the devil -- he's
blown off the top of the pavilion! Run, run, Lisetta, or the old
gentleman will have you!
Liset.
Nay, then the devil take the hindmost, I say!
(They run off, R.
Act
Scene
