Frank. In vain do I seek a respite from these dreadful
thoughts -- where'er I turn my eyes I expect to behold the
supernatural Being! -- to see him spring from each woody recess
-- but on, on to Agatha, and repose.
Felix. A traveller! and surely I know his air and manner.
(Comes forward on R.H.)
Frank. Good stranger, can you direct me to the habitation
of old De Lacey?
Felix. Better than most persons, I trust.
Frank. How! Felix De Lacey!
Felix. The same! the same! Frankenstein! your hand, my
friend -- 'tis long since we have met.
Frank. Your strange and sudden disappearance from
Paris--
Felix. Makes as strange a story, with which I shall not
now detain you. Come to our humble cottage. Egad! I'm overjoyed
to see you!
Frank. And Agatha?
Felix. Has still a warm corner of her heart for you. Come,
we have only to cross the wood.
Hammerpan. (Without, R.H.) Any good Christians in
the neighbourhood?
Felix. What have we here!
Enter Hammerpan, 2 E. R.H., with a long pole, tinker's
utensils, fire kettle, etc.
Ham. Real Christians! human beings! Oh, good gentlemen,
have you seen it?
Felix. It! -- what? (Crosses to him.)
Ham. Ah! that's it! As I live, an hour ago, I saw it in
the forest!
Felix. What do you mean by it?
Ham. My hair stood on end like mustard and cress, and so
will yours when you see it!
Felix. Get you gone! you are tipsy!
Ham. I wish I was. As I take it, you are Master Felix, of
the Valley of the Lake; we've done business together before
now.
Felix. I know you not!
Ham. I mended your kettle t'other day. You did me a good turn --
one good turn deserves another -- I'll put you on your guard --
the very devil is abroad.
Frank. (Aside.) How!
Felix. (Laughs.) Ha! ha! ha! You romancing
tinker!
Ham. You may laugh, but the other gentleman don't laugh.
You may perceive he believes it. (To Frankenstein.) I saw
it -- I saw it with this one eye.
Felix. One eye!
Ham. Yes, I've lost the other -- a little boy threw a
pebble at it, and I've been stone blind ever since, gentlemen. He
was ten feet six long, (holds his pole high up.) with a
head of black lanky locks down to his very elbows.
Frank. 'Tis the demon! (Apart to himself.) What did
this strange object! (To Hammerpan.)
Ham. It didn't speak to me, nor I to it. I saw it at first
in the forest picking acorns and berries -- and then, after it
had dispersed our tribe, like a ferret among the rats -- it took
a drink of our broth, and burnt its fingers in our fire.
Frank. And what became of this creature?
Ham. I wasn't curious enough to inquire. My wife was in
fits at the sight of the devil -- so I was obliged to keep my one
eye upon her.
Felix. Your one eye has been pretty well employed. Come,
come, gipsy, we'll cross the wood, and see if this man mountain
is to be met.
Ham. The good genius of wandering tinkers forbid!
Felix. (To Frankenstein.) And now, my friend, we'll
on to the cottage.
Frank. So, so! (Apart.) I will follow ye!
[Exeunt Hammerpan and Felix, R.H.
Frank. So! the peasants have already been terrified by the
ungainly form! Ambitious experimentalist! The consciousness of
the crime I have committed eternally haunts me! I have indeed
drawn a horrible curse on my head! He may be malignant, and
delight in murder and wretchedness! a whole country may execrate
me as its pest! Every thought that bears towards my baneful
project causes my lips to quiver and heart to palpitate. I must
now to the cottage of Felix. Agatha, fairest Agatha, instead of
smiles, your lover will meet you with dark and hopeless
despondency.
[Exit Frankenstein, R.H.
