English reader · Project Gutenberg #84
Chapter 17
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. English-only reading by default; you can also choose two-column reading in English and Chinese.
Chapter summary
This reading unit corresponds to Chapter 17 in the Project Gutenberg #84 edition of Frankenstein.
Modern reader note
English
The being finished speaking and fixed his looks upon me in the expectation of a reply. But I was bewildered, perplexed, and unable to arrange my ideas sufficiently to understand the full extent of his proposition. He continued,
“You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede.”
The latter part of his tale had kindled anew in me the anger that had died away while he narrated his peaceful life among the cottagers, and as he said this I could no longer suppress the rage that burned within me.
“I do refuse it,” I replied; “and no torture shall ever extort a consent from me. You may render me the most miserable of men, but you shall never make me base in my own eyes. Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world. Begone! I have answered you; you may torture me, but I will never consent.”
“You are in the wrong,” replied the fiend; “and instead of threatening, I am content to reason with you. I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me? You would not call it murder if you could precipitate me into one of those ice-rifts and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands. Shall I respect man when he condemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness, and instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of gratitude at his acceptance. But that cannot be; the human senses are insurmountable barriers to our union. Yet mine shall not be the submission of abject slavery. I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred. Have a care; I will work at your destruction, nor finish until I desolate your heart, so that you shall curse the hour of your birth.”
A fiendish rage animated him as he said this; his face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold; but presently he calmed himself and proceeded—
“I intended to reason. This passion is detrimental to me, for you do not reflect that you are the cause of its excess. If any being felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them a hundred and a hundredfold; for that one creature’s sake I would make peace with the whole kind! But I now indulge in dreams of bliss that cannot be realised. What I ask of you is reasonable and moderate; I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself; the gratification is small, but it is all that I can receive, and it shall content me. It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another. Our lives will not be happy, but they will be harmless and free from the misery I now feel. Oh! My creator, make me happy; let me feel gratitude towards you for one benefit! Let me see that I excite the sympathy of some existing thing; do not deny me my request!”
I was moved. I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent, but I felt that there was some justice in his argument. His tale and the feelings he now expressed proved him to be a creature of fine sensations, and did I not as his maker owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow? He saw my change of feeling and continued,
“If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again; I will go to the vast wilds of South America. My food is not that of man; I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment. My companion will be of the same nature as myself and will be content with the same fare. We shall make our bed of dried leaves; the sun will shine on us as on man and will ripen our food. The picture I present to you is peaceful and human, and you must feel that you could deny it only in the wantonness of power and cruelty. Pitiless as you have been towards me, I now see compassion in your eyes; let me seize the favourable moment and persuade you to promise what I so ardently desire.”
“You propose,” replied I, “to fly from the habitations of man, to dwell in those wilds where the beasts of the field will be your only companions. How can you, who long for the love and sympathy of man, persevere in this exile? You will return and again seek their kindness, and you will meet with their detestation; your evil passions will be renewed, and you will then have a companion to aid you in the task of destruction. This may not be; cease to argue the point, for I cannot consent.”
“How inconstant are your feelings! But a moment ago you were moved by my representations, and why do you again harden yourself to my complaints? I swear to you, by the earth which I inhabit, and by you that made me, that with the companion you bestow, I will quit the neighbourhood of man and dwell, as it may chance, in the most savage of places. My evil passions will have fled, for I shall meet with sympathy! My life will flow quietly away, and in my dying moments I shall not curse my maker.”
His words had a strange effect upon me. I compassionated him and sometimes felt a wish to console him, but when I looked upon him, when I saw the filthy mass that moved and talked, my heart sickened and my feelings were altered to those of horror and hatred. I tried to stifle these sensations; I thought that as I could not sympathise with him, I had no right to withhold from him the small portion of happiness which was yet in my power to bestow.
“You swear,” I said, “to be harmless; but have you not already shown a degree of malice that should reasonably make me distrust you? May not even this be a feint that will increase your triumph by affording a wider scope for your revenge?”
“How is this? I must not be trifled with, and I demand an answer. If I have no ties and no affections, hatred and vice must be my portion; the love of another will destroy the cause of my crimes, and I shall become a thing of whose existence everyone will be ignorant. My vices are the children of a forced solitude that I abhor, and my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal. I shall feel the affections of a sensitive being and become linked to the chain of existence and events from which I am now excluded.”
I paused some time to reflect on all he had related and the various arguments which he had employed. I thought of the promise of virtues which he had displayed on the opening of his existence and the subsequent blight of all kindly feeling by the loathing and scorn which his protectors had manifested towards him. His power and threats were not omitted in my calculations; a creature who could exist in the ice-caves of the glaciers and hide himself from pursuit among the ridges of inaccessible precipices was a being possessing faculties it would be vain to cope with. After a long pause of reflection I concluded that the justice due both to him and my fellow creatures demanded of me that I should comply with his request. Turning to him, therefore, I said,
“I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe for ever, and every other place in the neighbourhood of man, as soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany you in your exile.”
“I swear,” he cried, “by the sun, and by the blue sky of heaven, and by the fire of love that burns my heart, that if you grant my prayer, while they exist you shall never behold me again. Depart to your home and commence your labours; I shall watch their progress with unutterable anxiety; and fear not but that when you are ready I shall appear.”
Saying this, he suddenly quitted me, fearful, perhaps, of any change in my sentiments. I saw him descend the mountain with greater speed than the flight of an eagle, and quickly lost among the undulations of the sea of ice.
His tale had occupied the whole day, and the sun was upon the verge of the horizon when he departed. I knew that I ought to hasten my descent towards the valley, as I should soon be encompassed in darkness; but my heart was heavy, and my steps slow. The labour of winding among the little paths of the mountain and fixing my feet firmly as I advanced perplexed me, occupied as I was by the emotions which the occurrences of the day had produced. Night was far advanced when I came to the halfway resting-place and seated myself beside the fountain. The stars shone at intervals as the clouds passed from over them; the dark pines rose before me, and every here and there a broken tree lay on the ground; it was a scene of wonderful solemnity and stirred strange thoughts within me. I wept bitterly, and clasping my hands in agony, I exclaimed, “Oh! stars and clouds and winds, ye are all about to mock me; if ye really pity me, crush sensation and memory; let me become as nought; but if not, depart, depart, and leave me in darkness.”
These were wild and miserable thoughts, but I cannot describe to you how the eternal twinkling of the stars weighed upon me and how I listened to every blast of wind as if it were a dull ugly siroc on its way to consume me.
Morning dawned before I arrived at the village of Chamounix; I took no rest, but returned immediately to Geneva. Even in my own heart I could give no expression to my sensations—they weighed on me with a mountain’s weight and their excess destroyed my agony beneath them. Thus I returned home, and entering the house, presented myself to the family. My haggard and wild appearance awoke intense alarm, but I answered no question, scarcely did I speak. I felt as if I were placed under a ban—as if I had no right to claim their sympathies—as if never more might I enjoy companionship with them. Yet even thus I loved them to adoration; and to save them, I resolved to dedicate myself to my most abhorred task. The prospect of such an occupation made every other circumstance of existence pass before me like a dream, and that thought only had to me the reality of life.
中文
那个生命讲完以后，盯着我，等待回答。可我心乱如麻，一时根本无法把纷乱想法整理清楚，也无法真正理解它要求的全部后果。它继续说道：
“你必须为我创造一个女性同类，让我能和她一起生活，彼此交换维持生命所必需的同情。只有你能够做到这件事，我把它当作自己的权利向你要求，你不能拒绝。”
“听到它这样说，刚才在它讲述同小屋居民和平相处经历时渐渐消退的愤怒，又重新在我心中燃起。我再也无法压住怒火。
“我拒绝，”我回答，“任何折磨都不可能从我这里逼出同意。你可以让我成为世上最悲惨的人，却永远不能让我在自己眼里变得卑鄙。我难道还要创造另一个和你一样的生命，让你们合在一起的恶意毁灭整个世界吗？滚开！我已经回答你了。你可以折磨我，但我永远不会同意。”
恶魔回答：“你错了。我不想威胁，只想和你讲道理。我之所以恶毒，是因为我痛苦。全人类不是都在躲避我、憎恨我吗？你这个创造者，甚至恨不得把我撕成碎片，然后庆祝胜利。记住这一点，再告诉我：为什么我应该比人类怜悯我更多地去怜悯他们？假如你能把我推进冰裂缝，毁掉这具你亲手造出的身体，你不会把那称为谋杀。既然人类谴责我，我为什么要尊重人类？如果有人愿意和我交换善意，我会含着感激的眼泪，把一切好处都回报给他。可这不可能发生；人类的感官是横在我们之间无法跨越的障碍。但我不会像卑贱奴隶一样屈服。我会为自己的伤害复仇；如果无法激起爱，我就制造恐惧。尤其是你——因为你既是我的创造者，也是我最大的敌人——我发誓对你怀有永不熄灭的仇恨。小心吧。我会一步步摧毁你，直到让你的心彻底荒芜，让你诅咒自己出生的那一刻。”
说这些话时，一种恶魔般的怒火控制着它；脸部扭曲得可怕，人眼几乎无法直视。可过了一会儿，它重新平静下来，继续说道：
“我本来是想讲道理的。这样发怒对我没有好处，因为你没有想过，正是你造成我这种过度激情。如果有任何生命对我抱有一点善意，我会用一百倍、一千倍的善意回报。只为了这一个生命，我都愿意同整个人类和解！可现在，我只是在幻想永远无法实现的幸福。我向你提出的要求既合理又有限：我要一个和我不同性别、却同我一样丑陋的生命。这样的满足并不大，却已经是我能够得到的全部，我会因此满足。不错，我们仍会是怪物，被整个世界排斥；但正因为这样，我们会更加依恋彼此。我们的生活也许不幸福，却会无害，而且不再承受我现在这种痛苦。啊，我的创造者，让我幸福一次吧；至少让我因为你做过一件好事而心怀感激！让我知道，这个世界上还有一个生命能够同情我；请不要拒绝我的要求！”
我被它打动了。想到答应以后可能产生的后果，我仍然发抖；但我又觉得，它的理由确实有某种公正。它的故事和刚才流露的感情证明，它拥有细腻感受。既然我是它的制造者，难道不应该尽自己能力，给它一点可能获得的幸福吗？它看出我态度开始改变，又继续说道：
“如果你同意，那么从此以后，你和任何其他人类都不会再看见我们。我会前往南美洲辽阔的荒野。我的食物不同于人类；我不会杀羊或小山羊满足食欲，橡子和浆果已经足够。我的伴侣和我天性相同，也会满足于同样食物。我们会睡在干树叶上；太阳照耀人类时也会照耀我们，并使食物成熟。我描绘的是一种和平而有人性的生活。只有滥用力量和故意残忍的人，才会拒绝这样的要求。你过去对我无情，可现在我在你眼中看见了怜悯。让我抓住这个机会，说服你答应我如此热烈渴望的事情吧。”
我回答：“你打算逃离人类居住地，住在荒野里，只有田野里的野兽作伴。可你这样渴望人类的爱和同情，真的能坚持这种流亡吗？你迟早会回来，再次寻求人类善意；然后又会遭到憎恶。你邪恶的激情会重新出现，而这一次，你还有一个伙伴帮助毁灭。绝不能这样。不要再争辩了，我不能答应。”
“你的感情多么反复无常！就在刚才，你还被我的陈述打动，为什么现在又让自己对我的诉求变得冷酷？我以脚下生活的大地，也以创造我的你起誓：只要得到你给予的伴侣，我会离开人类附近，去最荒凉的地方生活。我的邪恶激情会消失，因为我将得到同情。我的生命会安静流逝，临死时也不会诅咒自己的创造者。”
它的话对我产生了奇怪影响。我同情它，有时甚至想安慰它；可每当看见它，看到那团肮脏的东西会移动、会说话，我的心就一阵恶心，感情立刻变成恐惧和憎恨。我努力压住这些感觉，想到：既然我无法真正同情它，也没有权利把自己仍有能力给予的一点幸福完全扣留。
我说：“你发誓会保持无害，可你难道没有表现出足以让人合理怀疑你的恶意吗？这会不会又是一种欺骗，只是为了给你更大的复仇空间，从而让你的胜利更彻底？”
“这算什么？不要拿我取乐。我要求一个明确回答。如果我没有任何联系，也没有任何感情，那么仇恨和邪恶当然会成为我的命运。另一个生命的爱会消除我犯罪的原因，我也会成为一个没有任何人知道存在的生命。我的恶习，是我被迫承受、而我自己厌恶的孤独所生的孩子；一旦和同类一起生活，我的美德也必然会出现。我会拥有一个有感情生命的情绪，也会重新连接到那个如今把我排除在外的存在与事件链条中。”
我沉默很久，回想它讲过的全部经历，也衡量各种论点。我想到它刚获得生命时表现出的善良倾向，也想到这些善意后来怎样被保护者们的厌恶与蔑视一步步摧毁。我也不能忽略它的力量和威胁：一个能生活在冰川冰洞里，又能隐藏在无法攀登的悬崖山脊间、躲过追捕的生命，拥有我根本无法抗衡的能力。经过长时间思考，我终于认定：无论从它应得的公正，还是从我对其他同类的责任来看，我都应该答应它的要求。于是我转向它，说道：
“我答应你的要求，但条件是你必须郑重起誓：只要我把愿意陪你流亡的女性交给你，你就永远离开欧洲，也离开任何靠近人类居住地的地方。”
它喊道：“我以太阳、蓝色天空，以及在我心中燃烧的爱之火发誓：只要你答应我的请求，在这些东西仍存在期间，你将永远不会再看见我。回家去，开始工作吧。我会用无法形容的焦虑注视进展。等你准备好时，不用担心，我一定会出现。”
说完，它突然离开，或许是担心我改变主意。我看着它以比鹰飞行还快的速度冲下山去，很快消失在冰海起伏不平的冰面之间。
它的故事占用了整整一天。离开时，太阳已经落到地平线边缘。我知道应该赶紧下到山谷，因为黑暗很快会包围我；可心情沉重，脚步缓慢。山间小路弯曲狭窄，我必须每一步都小心落脚，而白天发生的事情又让情绪不断翻涌，因此下山格外艰难。直到深夜，我才来到半山腰的休息处，在泉水旁坐下。云层移动时，星星偶尔露出来；黑松林立在眼前，地面上到处躺着折断的树木。整个景象庄严得惊人，也激起许多奇怪念头。我痛哭起来，痛苦地握紧双手喊道：“啊，星星、云和风！你们都在嘲笑我。如果真的怜悯我，就毁掉我的感觉和记忆，让我什么都不剩；否则就离开，离开，把我一个人留在黑暗里。”
这些念头疯狂又悲惨，可我无法形容，那些永恒闪烁的星光怎样压在心上；每一阵风吹来时，我都仿佛听见一种沉闷丑陋的热风，正朝我而来，要把我吞没。
天亮前，我终于抵达沙莫尼村。我没有休息，立刻返回日内瓦。即使在自己心里，我也无法表达当时感受；那些情绪像一座山压在身上，重量大到反而让痛苦失去尖锐感觉。就这样，我回到家，走进房间，出现在家人面前。憔悴而狂乱的样子让他们极度惊慌，可我不回答任何问题，几乎也不说话。我觉得自己像被判了禁令，没有资格要求他们同情，也仿佛从此再无权享受和他们相伴的快乐。可即使如此，我仍然爱他们到了近乎崇拜的程度；为了救他们，我决定把自己献给那件最厌恶的工作。面对这个任务，生活中其他一切都像梦一样从眼前飘过，只有这件事，成了我唯一真实的现实。
English
The being finished speaking and fixed his looks upon me in the expectation of a reply. But I was bewildered, perplexed, and unable to arrange my ideas sufficiently to understand the full extent of his proposition. He continued,
中文
那个生命讲完以后，盯着我，等待回答。可我心乱如麻，一时根本无法把纷乱想法整理清楚，也无法真正理解它要求的全部后果。它继续说道：
English
The being finished speaking and fixed his looks upon me in the expectation of a reply. But I was bewildered, perplexed, and unable to arrange my ideas sufficiently to understand the full extent of his proposition. He continued,
中文
那个生命讲完以后，盯着我，等待回答。可我心乱如麻，一时根本无法把纷乱想法整理清楚，也无法真正理解它要求的全部后果。它继续说道：
English
“You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede.”
中文
“你必须为我创造一个女性同类，让我能和她一起生活，彼此交换维持生命所必需的同情。只有你能够做到这件事，我把它当作自己的权利向你要求，你不能拒绝。”
English
“You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede.”
中文
“你必须为我创造一个女性同类，让我能和她一起生活，彼此交换维持生命所必需的同情。只有你能够做到这件事，我把它当作自己的权利向你要求，你不能拒绝。”
English
The latter part of his tale had kindled anew in me the anger that had died away while he narrated his peaceful life among the cottagers, and as he said this I could no longer suppress the rage that burned within me.
中文
“听到它这样说，刚才在它讲述同小屋居民和平相处经历时渐渐消退的愤怒，又重新在我心中燃起。我再也无法压住怒火。
English
The latter part of his tale had kindled anew in me the anger that had died away while he narrated his peaceful life among the cottagers, and as he said this I could no longer suppress the rage that burned within me.
中文
“听到它这样说，刚才在它讲述同小屋居民和平相处经历时渐渐消退的愤怒，又重新在我心中燃起。我再也无法压住怒火。
English
“I do refuse it,” I replied; “and no torture shall ever extort a consent from me. You may render me the most miserable of men, but you shall never make me base in my own eyes. Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world. Begone! I have answered you; you may torture me, but I will never consent.”
中文
“我拒绝，”我回答，“任何折磨都不可能从我这里逼出同意。你可以让我成为世上最悲惨的人，却永远不能让我在自己眼里变得卑鄙。我难道还要创造另一个和你一样的生命，让你们合在一起的恶意毁灭整个世界吗？滚开！我已经回答你了。你可以折磨我，但我永远不会同意。”
English
“I do refuse it,” I replied; “and no torture shall ever extort a consent from me. You may render me the most miserable of men, but you shall never make me base in my own eyes. Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world. Begone! I have answered you; you may torture me, but I will never consent.”
中文
“我拒绝，”我回答，“任何折磨都不可能从我这里逼出同意。你可以让我成为世上最悲惨的人，却永远不能让我在自己眼里变得卑鄙。我难道还要创造另一个和你一样的生命，让你们合在一起的恶意毁灭整个世界吗？滚开！我已经回答你了。你可以折磨我，但我永远不会同意。”
English
“You are in the wrong,” replied the fiend; “and instead of threatening, I am content to reason with you. I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me? You would not call it murder if you could precipitate me into one of those ice-rifts and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands. Shall I respect man when he condemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness, and instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of gratitude at his acceptance. But that cannot be; the human senses are insurmountable barriers to our union. Yet mine shall not be the submission of abject slavery. I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred. Have a care; I will work at your destruction, nor finish until I desolate your heart, so that you shall curse the hour of your birth.”
中文
恶魔回答：“你错了。我不想威胁，只想和你讲道理。我之所以恶毒，是因为我痛苦。全人类不是都在躲避我、憎恨我吗？你这个创造者，甚至恨不得把我撕成碎片，然后庆祝胜利。记住这一点，再告诉我：为什么我应该比人类怜悯我更多地去怜悯他们？假如你能把我推进冰裂缝，毁掉这具你亲手造出的身体，你不会把那称为谋杀。既然人类谴责我，我为什么要尊重人类？如果有人愿意和我交换善意，我会含着感激的眼泪，把一切好处都回报给他。可这不可能发生；人类的感官是横在我们之间无法跨越的障碍。但我不会像卑贱奴隶一样屈服。我会为自己的伤害复仇；如果无法激起爱，我就制造恐惧。尤其是你——因为你既是我的创造者，也是我最大的敌人——我发誓对你怀有永不熄灭的仇恨。小心吧。我会一步步摧毁你，直到让你的心彻底荒芜，让你诅咒自己出生的那一刻。”
English
“You are in the wrong,” replied the fiend; “and instead of threatening, I am content to reason with you. I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me? You would not call it murder if you could precipitate me into one of those ice-rifts and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands. Shall I respect man when he condemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness, and instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of gratitude at his acceptance. But that cannot be; the human senses are insurmountable barriers to our union. Yet mine shall not be the submission of abject slavery. I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred. Have a care; I will work at your destruction, nor finish until I desolate your heart, so that you shall curse the hour of your birth.”
中文
恶魔回答：“你错了。我不想威胁，只想和你讲道理。我之所以恶毒，是因为我痛苦。全人类不是都在躲避我、憎恨我吗？你这个创造者，甚至恨不得把我撕成碎片，然后庆祝胜利。记住这一点，再告诉我：为什么我应该比人类怜悯我更多地去怜悯他们？假如你能把我推进冰裂缝，毁掉这具你亲手造出的身体，你不会把那称为谋杀。既然人类谴责我，我为什么要尊重人类？如果有人愿意和我交换善意，我会含着感激的眼泪，把一切好处都回报给他。可这不可能发生；人类的感官是横在我们之间无法跨越的障碍。但我不会像卑贱奴隶一样屈服。我会为自己的伤害复仇；如果无法激起爱，我就制造恐惧。尤其是你——因为你既是我的创造者，也是我最大的敌人——我发誓对你怀有永不熄灭的仇恨。小心吧。我会一步步摧毁你，直到让你的心彻底荒芜，让你诅咒自己出生的那一刻。”
English
A fiendish rage animated him as he said this; his face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold; but presently he calmed himself and proceeded—
中文
说这些话时，一种恶魔般的怒火控制着它；脸部扭曲得可怕，人眼几乎无法直视。可过了一会儿，它重新平静下来，继续说道：
English
A fiendish rage animated him as he said this; his face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold; but presently he calmed himself and proceeded—
中文
说这些话时，一种恶魔般的怒火控制着它；脸部扭曲得可怕，人眼几乎无法直视。可过了一会儿，它重新平静下来，继续说道：
English
“I intended to reason. This passion is detrimental to me, for you do not reflect that you are the cause of its excess. If any being felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them a hundred and a hundredfold; for that one creature’s sake I would make peace with the whole kind! But I now indulge in dreams of bliss that cannot be realised. What I ask of you is reasonable and moderate; I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself; the gratification is small, but it is all that I can receive, and it shall content me. It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another. Our lives will not be happy, but they will be harmless and free from the misery I now feel. Oh! My creator, make me happy; let me feel gratitude towards you for one benefit! Let me see that I excite the sympathy of some existing thing; do not deny me my request!”
中文
“我本来是想讲道理的。这样发怒对我没有好处，因为你没有想过，正是你造成我这种过度激情。如果有任何生命对我抱有一点善意，我会用一百倍、一千倍的善意回报。只为了这一个生命，我都愿意同整个人类和解！可现在，我只是在幻想永远无法实现的幸福。我向你提出的要求既合理又有限：我要一个和我不同性别、却同我一样丑陋的生命。这样的满足并不大，却已经是我能够得到的全部，我会因此满足。不错，我们仍会是怪物，被整个世界排斥；但正因为这样，我们会更加依恋彼此。我们的生活也许不幸福，却会无害，而且不再承受我现在这种痛苦。啊，我的创造者，让我幸福一次吧；至少让我因为你做过一件好事而心怀感激！让我知道，这个世界上还有一个生命能够同情我；请不要拒绝我的要求！”
English
“I intended to reason. This passion is detrimental to me, for you do not reflect that you are the cause of its excess. If any being felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them a hundred and a hundredfold; for that one creature’s sake I would make peace with the whole kind! But I now indulge in dreams of bliss that cannot be realised. What I ask of you is reasonable and moderate; I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself; the gratification is small, but it is all that I can receive, and it shall content me. It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another. Our lives will not be happy, but they will be harmless and free from the misery I now feel. Oh! My creator, make me happy; let me feel gratitude towards you for one benefit! Let me see that I excite the sympathy of some existing thing; do not deny me my request!”
中文
“我本来是想讲道理的。这样发怒对我没有好处，因为你没有想过，正是你造成我这种过度激情。如果有任何生命对我抱有一点善意，我会用一百倍、一千倍的善意回报。只为了这一个生命，我都愿意同整个人类和解！可现在，我只是在幻想永远无法实现的幸福。我向你提出的要求既合理又有限：我要一个和我不同性别、却同我一样丑陋的生命。这样的满足并不大，却已经是我能够得到的全部，我会因此满足。不错，我们仍会是怪物，被整个世界排斥；但正因为这样，我们会更加依恋彼此。我们的生活也许不幸福，却会无害，而且不再承受我现在这种痛苦。啊，我的创造者，让我幸福一次吧；至少让我因为你做过一件好事而心怀感激！让我知道，这个世界上还有一个生命能够同情我；请不要拒绝我的要求！”
English
I was moved. I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent, but I felt that there was some justice in his argument. His tale and the feelings he now expressed proved him to be a creature of fine sensations, and did I not as his maker owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow? He saw my change of feeling and continued,
中文
我被它打动了。想到答应以后可能产生的后果，我仍然发抖；但我又觉得，它的理由确实有某种公正。它的故事和刚才流露的感情证明，它拥有细腻感受。既然我是它的制造者，难道不应该尽自己能力，给它一点可能获得的幸福吗？它看出我态度开始改变，又继续说道：
English
I was moved. I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent, but I felt that there was some justice in his argument. His tale and the feelings he now expressed proved him to be a creature of fine sensations, and did I not as his maker owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow? He saw my change of feeling and continued,
中文
我被它打动了。想到答应以后可能产生的后果，我仍然发抖；但我又觉得，它的理由确实有某种公正。它的故事和刚才流露的感情证明，它拥有细腻感受。既然我是它的制造者，难道不应该尽自己能力，给它一点可能获得的幸福吗？它看出我态度开始改变，又继续说道：
English
“If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again; I will go to the vast wilds of South America. My food is not that of man; I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment. My companion will be of the same nature as myself and will be content with the same fare. We shall make our bed of dried leaves; the sun will shine on us as on man and will ripen our food. The picture I present to you is peaceful and human, and you must feel that you could deny it only in the wantonness of power and cruelty. Pitiless as you have been towards me, I now see compassion in your eyes; let me seize the favourable moment and persuade you to promise what I so ardently desire.”
中文
“如果你同意，那么从此以后，你和任何其他人类都不会再看见我们。我会前往南美洲辽阔的荒野。我的食物不同于人类；我不会杀羊或小山羊满足食欲，橡子和浆果已经足够。我的伴侣和我天性相同，也会满足于同样食物。我们会睡在干树叶上；太阳照耀人类时也会照耀我们，并使食物成熟。我描绘的是一种和平而有人性的生活。只有滥用力量和故意残忍的人，才会拒绝这样的要求。你过去对我无情，可现在我在你眼中看见了怜悯。让我抓住这个机会，说服你答应我如此热烈渴望的事情吧。”
English
“If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again; I will go to the vast wilds of South America. My food is not that of man; I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment. My companion will be of the same nature as myself and will be content with the same fare. We shall make our bed of dried leaves; the sun will shine on us as on man and will ripen our food. The picture I present to you is peaceful and human, and you must feel that you could deny it only in the wantonness of power and cruelty. Pitiless as you have been towards me, I now see compassion in your eyes; let me seize the favourable moment and persuade you to promise what I so ardently desire.”
中文
“如果你同意，那么从此以后，你和任何其他人类都不会再看见我们。我会前往南美洲辽阔的荒野。我的食物不同于人类；我不会杀羊或小山羊满足食欲，橡子和浆果已经足够。我的伴侣和我天性相同，也会满足于同样食物。我们会睡在干树叶上；太阳照耀人类时也会照耀我们，并使食物成熟。我描绘的是一种和平而有人性的生活。只有滥用力量和故意残忍的人，才会拒绝这样的要求。你过去对我无情，可现在我在你眼中看见了怜悯。让我抓住这个机会，说服你答应我如此热烈渴望的事情吧。”
English
“You propose,” replied I, “to fly from the habitations of man, to dwell in those wilds where the beasts of the field will be your only companions. How can you, who long for the love and sympathy of man, persevere in this exile? You will return and again seek their kindness, and you will meet with their detestation; your evil passions will be renewed, and you will then have a companion to aid you in the task of destruction. This may not be; cease to argue the point, for I cannot consent.”
中文
我回答：“你打算逃离人类居住地，住在荒野里，只有田野里的野兽作伴。可你这样渴望人类的爱和同情，真的能坚持这种流亡吗？你迟早会回来，再次寻求人类善意；然后又会遭到憎恶。你邪恶的激情会重新出现，而这一次，你还有一个伙伴帮助毁灭。绝不能这样。不要再争辩了，我不能答应。”
English
“You propose,” replied I, “to fly from the habitations of man, to dwell in those wilds where the beasts of the field will be your only companions. How can you, who long for the love and sympathy of man, persevere in this exile? You will return and again seek their kindness, and you will meet with their detestation; your evil passions will be renewed, and you will then have a companion to aid you in the task of destruction. This may not be; cease to argue the point, for I cannot consent.”
中文
我回答：“你打算逃离人类居住地，住在荒野里，只有田野里的野兽作伴。可你这样渴望人类的爱和同情，真的能坚持这种流亡吗？你迟早会回来，再次寻求人类善意；然后又会遭到憎恶。你邪恶的激情会重新出现，而这一次，你还有一个伙伴帮助毁灭。绝不能这样。不要再争辩了，我不能答应。”
English
“How inconstant are your feelings! But a moment ago you were moved by my representations, and why do you again harden yourself to my complaints? I swear to you, by the earth which I inhabit, and by you that made me, that with the companion you bestow, I will quit the neighbourhood of man and dwell, as it may chance, in the most savage of places. My evil passions will have fled, for I shall meet with sympathy! My life will flow quietly away, and in my dying moments I shall not curse my maker.”
中文
“你的感情多么反复无常！就在刚才，你还被我的陈述打动，为什么现在又让自己对我的诉求变得冷酷？我以脚下生活的大地，也以创造我的你起誓：只要得到你给予的伴侣，我会离开人类附近，去最荒凉的地方生活。我的邪恶激情会消失，因为我将得到同情。我的生命会安静流逝，临死时也不会诅咒自己的创造者。”
English
“How inconstant are your feelings! But a moment ago you were moved by my representations, and why do you again harden yourself to my complaints? I swear to you, by the earth which I inhabit, and by you that made me, that with the companion you bestow, I will quit the neighbourhood of man and dwell, as it may chance, in the most savage of places. My evil passions will have fled, for I shall meet with sympathy! My life will flow quietly away, and in my dying moments I shall not curse my maker.”
中文
“你的感情多么反复无常！就在刚才，你还被我的陈述打动，为什么现在又让自己对我的诉求变得冷酷？我以脚下生活的大地，也以创造我的你起誓：只要得到你给予的伴侣，我会离开人类附近，去最荒凉的地方生活。我的邪恶激情会消失，因为我将得到同情。我的生命会安静流逝，临死时也不会诅咒自己的创造者。”
English
His words had a strange effect upon me. I compassionated him and sometimes felt a wish to console him, but when I looked upon him, when I saw the filthy mass that moved and talked, my heart sickened and my feelings were altered to those of horror and hatred. I tried to stifle these sensations; I thought that as I could not sympathise with him, I had no right to withhold from him the small portion of happiness which was yet in my power to bestow.
中文
它的话对我产生了奇怪影响。我同情它，有时甚至想安慰它；可每当看见它，看到那团肮脏的东西会移动、会说话，我的心就一阵恶心，感情立刻变成恐惧和憎恨。我努力压住这些感觉，想到：既然我无法真正同情它，也没有权利把自己仍有能力给予的一点幸福完全扣留。
English
His words had a strange effect upon me. I compassionated him and sometimes felt a wish to console him, but when I looked upon him, when I saw the filthy mass that moved and talked, my heart sickened and my feelings were altered to those of horror and hatred. I tried to stifle these sensations; I thought that as I could not sympathise with him, I had no right to withhold from him the small portion of happiness which was yet in my power to bestow.
中文
它的话对我产生了奇怪影响。我同情它，有时甚至想安慰它；可每当看见它，看到那团肮脏的东西会移动、会说话，我的心就一阵恶心，感情立刻变成恐惧和憎恨。我努力压住这些感觉，想到：既然我无法真正同情它，也没有权利把自己仍有能力给予的一点幸福完全扣留。
English
“You swear,” I said, “to be harmless; but have you not already shown a degree of malice that should reasonably make me distrust you? May not even this be a feint that will increase your triumph by affording a wider scope for your revenge?”
中文
我说：“你发誓会保持无害，可你难道没有表现出足以让人合理怀疑你的恶意吗？这会不会又是一种欺骗，只是为了给你更大的复仇空间，从而让你的胜利更彻底？”
English
“You swear,” I said, “to be harmless; but have you not already shown a degree of malice that should reasonably make me distrust you? May not even this be a feint that will increase your triumph by affording a wider scope for your revenge?”
中文
我说：“你发誓会保持无害，可你难道没有表现出足以让人合理怀疑你的恶意吗？这会不会又是一种欺骗，只是为了给你更大的复仇空间，从而让你的胜利更彻底？”
English
“How is this? I must not be trifled with, and I demand an answer. If I have no ties and no affections, hatred and vice must be my portion; the love of another will destroy the cause of my crimes, and I shall become a thing of whose existence everyone will be ignorant. My vices are the children of a forced solitude that I abhor, and my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal. I shall feel the affections of a sensitive being and become linked to the chain of existence and events from which I am now excluded.”
中文
“这算什么？不要拿我取乐。我要求一个明确回答。如果我没有任何联系，也没有任何感情，那么仇恨和邪恶当然会成为我的命运。另一个生命的爱会消除我犯罪的原因，我也会成为一个没有任何人知道存在的生命。我的恶习，是我被迫承受、而我自己厌恶的孤独所生的孩子；一旦和同类一起生活，我的美德也必然会出现。我会拥有一个有感情生命的情绪，也会重新连接到那个如今把我排除在外的存在与事件链条中。”
English
“How is this? I must not be trifled with, and I demand an answer. If I have no ties and no affections, hatred and vice must be my portion; the love of another will destroy the cause of my crimes, and I shall become a thing of whose existence everyone will be ignorant. My vices are the children of a forced solitude that I abhor, and my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal. I shall feel the affections of a sensitive being and become linked to the chain of existence and events from which I am now excluded.”
中文
“这算什么？不要拿我取乐。我要求一个明确回答。如果我没有任何联系，也没有任何感情，那么仇恨和邪恶当然会成为我的命运。另一个生命的爱会消除我犯罪的原因，我也会成为一个没有任何人知道存在的生命。我的恶习，是我被迫承受、而我自己厌恶的孤独所生的孩子；一旦和同类一起生活，我的美德也必然会出现。我会拥有一个有感情生命的情绪，也会重新连接到那个如今把我排除在外的存在与事件链条中。”
English
I paused some time to reflect on all he had related and the various arguments which he had employed. I thought of the promise of virtues which he had displayed on the opening of his existence and the subsequent blight of all kindly feeling by the loathing and scorn which his protectors had manifested towards him. His power and threats were not omitted in my calculations; a creature who could exist in the ice-caves of the glaciers and hide himself from pursuit among the ridges of inaccessible precipices was a being possessing faculties it would be vain to cope with. After a long pause of reflection I concluded that the justice due both to him and my fellow creatures demanded of me that I should comply with his request. Turning to him, therefore, I said,
中文
我沉默很久，回想它讲过的全部经历，也衡量各种论点。我想到它刚获得生命时表现出的善良倾向，也想到这些善意后来怎样被保护者们的厌恶与蔑视一步步摧毁。我也不能忽略它的力量和威胁：一个能生活在冰川冰洞里，又能隐藏在无法攀登的悬崖山脊间、躲过追捕的生命，拥有我根本无法抗衡的能力。经过长时间思考，我终于认定：无论从它应得的公正，还是从我对其他同类的责任来看，我都应该答应它的要求。于是我转向它，说道：
English
I paused some time to reflect on all he had related and the various arguments which he had employed. I thought of the promise of virtues which he had displayed on the opening of his existence and the subsequent blight of all kindly feeling by the loathing and scorn which his protectors had manifested towards him. His power and threats were not omitted in my calculations; a creature who could exist in the ice-caves of the glaciers and hide himself from pursuit among the ridges of inaccessible precipices was a being possessing faculties it would be vain to cope with. After a long pause of reflection I concluded that the justice due both to him and my fellow creatures demanded of me that I should comply with his request. Turning to him, therefore, I said,
中文
我沉默很久，回想它讲过的全部经历，也衡量各种论点。我想到它刚获得生命时表现出的善良倾向，也想到这些善意后来怎样被保护者们的厌恶与蔑视一步步摧毁。我也不能忽略它的力量和威胁：一个能生活在冰川冰洞里，又能隐藏在无法攀登的悬崖山脊间、躲过追捕的生命，拥有我根本无法抗衡的能力。经过长时间思考，我终于认定：无论从它应得的公正，还是从我对其他同类的责任来看，我都应该答应它的要求。于是我转向它，说道：
English
“I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe for ever, and every other place in the neighbourhood of man, as soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany you in your exile.”
中文
“我答应你的要求，但条件是你必须郑重起誓：只要我把愿意陪你流亡的女性交给你，你就永远离开欧洲，也离开任何靠近人类居住地的地方。”
English
“I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe for ever, and every other place in the neighbourhood of man, as soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany you in your exile.”
中文
“我答应你的要求，但条件是你必须郑重起誓：只要我把愿意陪你流亡的女性交给你，你就永远离开欧洲，也离开任何靠近人类居住地的地方。”
English
“I swear,” he cried, “by the sun, and by the blue sky of heaven, and by the fire of love that burns my heart, that if you grant my prayer, while they exist you shall never behold me again. Depart to your home and commence your labours; I shall watch their progress with unutterable anxiety; and fear not but that when you are ready I shall appear.”
中文
它喊道：“我以太阳、蓝色天空，以及在我心中燃烧的爱之火发誓：只要你答应我的请求，在这些东西仍存在期间，你将永远不会再看见我。回家去，开始工作吧。我会用无法形容的焦虑注视进展。等你准备好时，不用担心，我一定会出现。”
English
“I swear,” he cried, “by the sun, and by the blue sky of heaven, and by the fire of love that burns my heart, that if you grant my prayer, while they exist you shall never behold me again. Depart to your home and commence your labours; I shall watch their progress with unutterable anxiety; and fear not but that when you are ready I shall appear.”
中文
它喊道：“我以太阳、蓝色天空，以及在我心中燃烧的爱之火发誓：只要你答应我的请求，在这些东西仍存在期间，你将永远不会再看见我。回家去，开始工作吧。我会用无法形容的焦虑注视进展。等你准备好时，不用担心，我一定会出现。”
English
Saying this, he suddenly quitted me, fearful, perhaps, of any change in my sentiments. I saw him descend the mountain with greater speed than the flight of an eagle, and quickly lost among the undulations of the sea of ice.
中文
说完，它突然离开，或许是担心我改变主意。我看着它以比鹰飞行还快的速度冲下山去，很快消失在冰海起伏不平的冰面之间。
English
Saying this, he suddenly quitted me, fearful, perhaps, of any change in my sentiments. I saw him descend the mountain with greater speed than the flight of an eagle, and quickly lost among the undulations of the sea of ice.
中文
说完，它突然离开，或许是担心我改变主意。我看着它以比鹰飞行还快的速度冲下山去，很快消失在冰海起伏不平的冰面之间。
English
His tale had occupied the whole day, and the sun was upon the verge of the horizon when he departed. I knew that I ought to hasten my descent towards the valley, as I should soon be encompassed in darkness; but my heart was heavy, and my steps slow. The labour of winding among the little paths of the mountain and fixing my feet firmly as I advanced perplexed me, occupied as I was by the emotions which the occurrences of the day had produced. Night was far advanced when I came to the halfway resting-place and seated myself beside the fountain. The stars shone at intervals as the clouds passed from over them; the dark pines rose before me, and every here and there a broken tree lay on the ground; it was a scene of wonderful solemnity and stirred strange thoughts within me. I wept bitterly, and clasping my hands in agony, I exclaimed, “Oh! stars and clouds and winds, ye are all about to mock me; if ye really pity me, crush sensation and memory; let me become as nought; but if not, depart, depart, and leave me in darkness.”
中文
它的故事占用了整整一天。离开时，太阳已经落到地平线边缘。我知道应该赶紧下到山谷，因为黑暗很快会包围我；可心情沉重，脚步缓慢。山间小路弯曲狭窄，我必须每一步都小心落脚，而白天发生的事情又让情绪不断翻涌，因此下山格外艰难。直到深夜，我才来到半山腰的休息处，在泉水旁坐下。云层移动时，星星偶尔露出来；黑松林立在眼前，地面上到处躺着折断的树木。整个景象庄严得惊人，也激起许多奇怪念头。我痛哭起来，痛苦地握紧双手喊道：“啊，星星、云和风！你们都在嘲笑我。如果真的怜悯我，就毁掉我的感觉和记忆，让我什么都不剩；否则就离开，离开，把我一个人留在黑暗里。”
English
His tale had occupied the whole day, and the sun was upon the verge of the horizon when he departed. I knew that I ought to hasten my descent towards the valley, as I should soon be encompassed in darkness; but my heart was heavy, and my steps slow. The labour of winding among the little paths of the mountain and fixing my feet firmly as I advanced perplexed me, occupied as I was by the emotions which the occurrences of the day had produced. Night was far advanced when I came to the halfway resting-place and seated myself beside the fountain. The stars shone at intervals as the clouds passed from over them; the dark pines rose before me, and every here and there a broken tree lay on the ground; it was a scene of wonderful solemnity and stirred strange thoughts within me. I wept bitterly, and clasping my hands in agony, I exclaimed, “Oh! stars and clouds and winds, ye are all about to mock me; if ye really pity me, crush sensation and memory; let me become as nought; but if not, depart, depart, and leave me in darkness.”
中文
它的故事占用了整整一天。离开时，太阳已经落到地平线边缘。我知道应该赶紧下到山谷，因为黑暗很快会包围我；可心情沉重，脚步缓慢。山间小路弯曲狭窄，我必须每一步都小心落脚，而白天发生的事情又让情绪不断翻涌，因此下山格外艰难。直到深夜，我才来到半山腰的休息处，在泉水旁坐下。云层移动时，星星偶尔露出来；黑松林立在眼前，地面上到处躺着折断的树木。整个景象庄严得惊人，也激起许多奇怪念头。我痛哭起来，痛苦地握紧双手喊道：“啊，星星、云和风！你们都在嘲笑我。如果真的怜悯我，就毁掉我的感觉和记忆，让我什么都不剩；否则就离开，离开，把我一个人留在黑暗里。”
English
These were wild and miserable thoughts, but I cannot describe to you how the eternal twinkling of the stars weighed upon me and how I listened to every blast of wind as if it were a dull ugly siroc on its way to consume me.
中文
这些念头疯狂又悲惨，可我无法形容，那些永恒闪烁的星光怎样压在心上；每一阵风吹来时，我都仿佛听见一种沉闷丑陋的热风，正朝我而来，要把我吞没。
English
These were wild and miserable thoughts, but I cannot describe to you how the eternal twinkling of the stars weighed upon me and how I listened to every blast of wind as if it were a dull ugly siroc on its way to consume me.
中文
这些念头疯狂又悲惨，可我无法形容，那些永恒闪烁的星光怎样压在心上；每一阵风吹来时，我都仿佛听见一种沉闷丑陋的热风，正朝我而来，要把我吞没。
English
Morning dawned before I arrived at the village of Chamounix; I took no rest, but returned immediately to Geneva. Even in my own heart I could give no expression to my sensations—they weighed on me with a mountain’s weight and their excess destroyed my agony beneath them. Thus I returned home, and entering the house, presented myself to the family. My haggard and wild appearance awoke intense alarm, but I answered no question, scarcely did I speak. I felt as if I were placed under a ban—as if I had no right to claim their sympathies—as if never more might I enjoy companionship with them. Yet even thus I loved them to adoration; and to save them, I resolved to dedicate myself to my most abhorred task. The prospect of such an occupation made every other circumstance of existence pass before me like a dream, and that thought only had to me the reality of life.
中文
天亮前，我终于抵达沙莫尼村。我没有休息，立刻返回日内瓦。即使在自己心里，我也无法表达当时感受；那些情绪像一座山压在身上，重量大到反而让痛苦失去尖锐感觉。就这样，我回到家，走进房间，出现在家人面前。憔悴而狂乱的样子让他们极度惊慌，可我不回答任何问题，几乎也不说话。我觉得自己像被判了禁令，没有资格要求他们同情，也仿佛从此再无权享受和他们相伴的快乐。可即使如此，我仍然爱他们到了近乎崇拜的程度；为了救他们，我决定把自己献给那件最厌恶的工作。面对这个任务，生活中其他一切都像梦一样从眼前飘过，只有这件事，成了我唯一真实的现实。
English
Morning dawned before I arrived at the village of Chamounix; I took no rest, but returned immediately to Geneva. Even in my own heart I could give no expression to my sensations—they weighed on me with a mountain’s weight and their excess destroyed my agony beneath them. Thus I returned home, and entering the house, presented myself to the family. My haggard and wild appearance awoke intense alarm, but I answered no question, scarcely did I speak. I felt as if I were placed under a ban—as if I had no right to claim their sympathies—as if never more might I enjoy companionship with them. Yet even thus I loved them to adoration; and to save them, I resolved to dedicate myself to my most abhorred task. The prospect of such an occupation made every other circumstance of existence pass before me like a dream, and that thought only had to me the reality of life.
中文
天亮前，我终于抵达沙莫尼村。我没有休息，立刻返回日内瓦。即使在自己心里，我也无法表达当时感受；那些情绪像一座山压在身上，重量大到反而让痛苦失去尖锐感觉。就这样，我回到家，走进房间，出现在家人面前。憔悴而狂乱的样子让他们极度惊慌，可我不回答任何问题，几乎也不说话。我觉得自己像被判了禁令，没有资格要求他们同情，也仿佛从此再无权享受和他们相伴的快乐。可即使如此，我仍然爱他们到了近乎崇拜的程度；为了救他们，我决定把自己献给那件最厌恶的工作。面对这个任务，生活中其他一切都像梦一样从眼前飘过，只有这件事，成了我唯一真实的现实。