Читать книгу Франкенштейн, или Современный Прометей / Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. Уровень 2 - Мэри Шелли - Страница 13

“I hardly remember the first moments of my life. All the events of that period appear confused and indistinct. A strange multiplicity of sensations seized me. I saw, felt, heard, and smelt at the same time. I remember, a strong light pressed upon my nerves, so I shut my eyes. Darkness then came over me and troubled me. Then I opened my eyes again. I walked and descended.

Dark and opaque bodies surrounded me. The light became more and more oppressive to me, and I walked to look for a place where I could receive shade. This was the forest near Ingolstadt. Here I lay by the side of a brook, until I felt hunger and thirst. This roused me from my dormant state. I ate some berries which I found on the trees or on the ground. I drank from the brook and then slept.

It was dark when I awoke. I felt cold also, and half frightened. I was desolate. Before I quitted your apartment, I covered myself with some clothes. But these were insufficient to secure me from the dews of night. I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch. Pain invaded me on all sides. I sat down and wept.

Soon a gentle light gave me a sensation of pleasure. I beheld a radiant form rise from among the trees. It was the moon. It moved slowly, but it enlightened my path, and I again went out to look for berries.

I was still cold when under the tree I found a huge cloak. I sat down upon the ground. I felt hunger, and thirst, and darkness. Innumerable sounds rang in my ears. On all sides various scents saluted me. I could distinguish the bright moon, and I fixed my eyes on that with pleasure.

Some days and nights passed, when I began to distinguish my sensations. I began to observe the forms that surrounded me. Sometimes I tried to imitate the pleasant songs of the birds. Sometimes I wished to express my sensations, but the inarticulate sounds frightened me.

I remained in the forest. My sensations became distinct, and my mind received every day additional ideas. My eyes began to perceive objects in their right forms. I distinguished the insect from the herb, and one herb from another.

One day, I found a fire. Some beggars left it. I experienced warmth from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the fire, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought! I examined the materials of the fire. It was wood. I quickly collected some branches. When night came, I covered the fire carefully with dry wood and leaves and placed wet branches. Then I lay on the ground and slept.

It was morning when I awoke, and I uncovered the fire. I found some roasted offals. They tasted much more savoury than the berries I gathered from the trees. I tried, therefore, to roast my food. The nuts and roots were tasty.

Food, however, became scarce, and I often spent the whole day to search for a few acorns. I resolved to quit the place. I lamented the loss of the fire, I did not know how to reproduce it. I passed three days in rambles and at length discovered the open country[21]