Frank. ( Within.) It lives! it lives!
Fritz. (Speaks through music.) Oh, dear! oh, dear!
oh, dear!
(Fritz, greatly alarmed, jumps down hastily, totters
tremblingly down the stairs in vast hurry; when in front on
stage, having fallen flat in fright, with difficulty
speaks.)
Fritz. There's a hob -- hob-goblin, seven-and-twenty feet
high! Oh, my nerves; I feel as if I had just come out of strong
fits, and nobody to throw cold water in my face -- if my legs
won't lap under me, I'll just make my escape. (Crosses to
L.H.) Oh, my poor nerves!
Exit Fritz, crawling off L.H.
(Music. -- Frankenstein rushes from the laboratory, without
lamp, fastens the door in apparent dread, and hastens down the
stairs, watching the entrance of the laboratory.)
Frank. It lives! I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature
open, it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its
limbs. What a wretch have I formed, his legs are in proportion
and I had selected his features as beautiful -- beautiful! Ah,
horror! his cadaverous skin scarcely covers the work of muscles
and arteries beneath, his hair lustrous, black, and flowing --
his teeth of pearly whiteness -- but these luxuriances only form
more horrible contrasts with the deformities of the monster.
(He listens at the foot of the staircase.) What have I
accomplished? the beauty of my dream has vanished! and breathless
horror and disgust now fill my heart. For this I have deprived
myself of rest and health, have worked my brain to madness; and
when I looked to reap my great reward, a flash breaks in
upon my
darkened soul, and tells me my attempt was impious, and that the
fruition will be fatal to my peace for ever. (He again
listens.) All is still! The dreadful spectre of a human form
-- no mortal could withstand the horror of that countenance -- a
mummy embued with animation could not be so hideous as the wretch
I have endowed with life! -- miserable and impious being that I
am! Elizabeth! brother! Agatha! -- fairest Agatha! never more
dare I look upon your virtuous faces. Lost! lost! lost!
(Music. -- Frankenstein sinks on a chair; sudden combustion
heard, and smoke issues, the door of laboratory breaks to pieces
with a loud crash -- red fire within. -- The Monster discovered
at door entrance in smoke, which evaporates -- the red flame
continues visible. The Monster advances forward, breaks through
the balustrade or railing of gallery immediately facing the door
of laboratory, jumps on the table beneath, and from thence leaps
on the stage, stands in attitude before Frankenstein, who had
started up in terror; they gaze for a moment at each
other.)
Frank. The horrid corpse to which I have given life!
(Music. -- The Monster looks at Frankenstein most intently,
approaches him with gestures of conciliation. Frankenstein
retreats round to R.H., the Monster pursuing him.)
Frank. Fiend! dare not to approach me -- avaunt, or dread
the fierce vengeance of my arm.
(Music. -- Frankenstein takes the sword from off nail 3 E.,
points with it at Monster, who snatches the sword, snaps it in
two and throws it on stage. The Monster then seizes Frankenstein
-- loud thunder heard -- throws him violently on the floor,
ascends the staircase, opens the large window on L.H. 3 E., and
disappears through the casement. Frankenstein remains motionless
on the ground. -- Thunder and lightning until the drop
falls.
END OF ACT I.
