Frankenstein; or, the modern prometheus — Page 13
One or two stiff gales and the springing of a leak are accidents which experienced navigators scarcely remember to record, and I shall be well content if nothing worse happen to us during our voyage.
Ein oder zwei steife Stürme und das Aufspringen eines Lecks sind Zufälle, die erfahrene Seefahrer kaum der Aufzeichnung für wert halten, und ich werde mich glücklich schätzen, wenn uns während unserer Reise nichts Schlimmeres widerfährt.
Adieu, my dear Margaret.
Adieu, meine liebe Margaret.
Be assured that for my own sake, as well as yours, I will not rashly encounter danger.
Sei versichert, dass ich um meiner selbst willen ebenso wie um deinetwillen der Gefahr nicht leichtfertig entgegentreten werde.
I will be cool, persevering, and prudent.
Ich werde besonnen, ausdauernd und umsichtig sein.
But success _shall_ crown my endeavours.
Aber der Erfolg _wird_ meine Bemühungen krönen.
Wherefore not?
Warum nicht?
Thus far I have gone, tracing a secure way over the pathless seas, the very stars themselves being witnesses and testimonies of my triumph.
So weit bin ich gegangen und habe einen sicheren Weg über die weglosen Meere gebahnt, wobei die Sterne selbst Zeugen und Zeugnisse meines Triumphs sind.
Why not still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element?
Warum nicht weiter über das ungezähmte und doch gefügige Element voranschreiten?
What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?
Was kann das entschlossene Herz und den gefestigten Willen des Menschen aufhalten?
My swelling heart involuntarily pours itself out thus.
Mein übervolles Herz ergießt sich unwillkürlich auf diese Weise.
But I must finish.
Aber ich muss schließen.
Heaven bless my beloved sister!
Der Himmel segne meine geliebte Schwester!
R.W.
R.W.
Letter 4
Brief 4
_To Mrs. Saville, England._
_An Mrs. Saville, England._
August 5th, 17—.
5. August, 17—.
So strange an accident has happened to us that I cannot forbear recording it, although it is very probable that you will see me before these papers can come into your possession.
Ein so seltsamer Zufall hat sich uns ereignet, dass ich nicht umhin kann, ihn aufzuzeichnen, obwohl es sehr wahrscheinlich ist, dass Sie mich sehen werden, bevor diese Papiere in Ihren Besitz gelangen können.
Last Monday (July 31st) we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship on all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea-room in which she floated.
Letzten Montag (31. Juli) waren wir fast von Eis umgeben, das das Schiff von allen Seiten einschloss und ihm kaum den Seeraum ließ, in dem es trieb.
Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were compassed round by a very thick fog.
Unsere Lage war einigermaßen gefährlich, zumal wir von einem sehr dichten Nebel umgeben waren.
We accordingly lay to, hoping that some change would take place in the atmosphere and weather.
Wir brachten das Schiff dementsprechend bei, in der Hoffnung, dass sich eine Veränderung in der Atmosphäre und im Wetter einstellen würde.
Vocabulary
- Ein
- The indefinite article 'a' or 'an' in German.
- oder
- Conjunction meaning 'or' used to present alternatives.
- zwei
- The number two in German.
- steife
- Adjective meaning 'stiff' or 'rigid' in form.
- Stürme
- Plural of storm; violent weather disturbances at sea.
- und
- Conjunction meaning 'and' connecting words or clauses.
- das
- The definite article 'the' for neuter nouns.
- eines
- Genitive form of 'ein'; 'of a' or 'one's'.
- sind
- Third person plural present of 'sein' (to be).
- Zufälle
- Plural of chance; incidents occurring by accident or fate.
- die
- The definite article 'the' for feminine and plural nouns.
- erfahrene
- Adjective meaning 'experienced' or 'seasoned' in profession.
- Seefahrer
- Noun meaning 'seafarer' or 'sailor' who travels seas.
- kaum
- Adverb meaning 'hardly' or 'scarcely' with minimal occurrence.
- der
- The definite article 'the' for masculine nouns.
- Aufzeichnung
- Noun meaning 'record' or 'note' documenting important information.
- für
- Preposition meaning 'for' indicating purpose or beneficiary.
- wert
- Adjective meaning 'worthy' or 'deserving' of something.
- halten
- Verb meaning 'to hold' or 'to consider' something.
- ich
- First person singular pronoun 'I' in German.
- werde
- First person singular future auxiliary of 'werden'.
- mich
- Accusative form of 'ich'; 'me' as direct object.
- glücklich
- Adjective meaning 'happy' or 'fortunate' in circumstances.
- schätzen
- Verb meaning 'to estimate' or 'to value' highly.
- wenn
- Conjunction meaning 'if' or 'when' introducing conditions.
- uns
- Dative/accusative form of 'wir'; 'us' as object.
- während
- Preposition meaning 'during' or 'while' a time period.
- unserer
- Possessive adjective 'our' in genitive or dative form.
- Reise
- Noun meaning 'journey' or 'trip' to distant places.
- nichts
- Pronoun meaning 'nothing' or 'not anything' whatsoever.
- Schlimmeres
- Adjective comparative 'worse' or 'more serious' conditions.
- meine
- Possessive adjective 'my' for feminine or plural nouns.
- liebe
- Adjective meaning 'dear' or 'beloved' expressing affection.
- Sei
- Imperative form of 'sein'; 'be' commanding action.
- dass
- Conjunction meaning 'that' introducing subordinate clauses.
- um
- Preposition meaning 'around' or 'for the sake of'.
- meiner
- Possessive adjective 'my' in genitive form.
- selbst
- Pronoun meaning 'self' emphasizing one's own person.
- ebenso
- Adverb meaning 'equally' or 'just as' comparatively.
- wie
- Conjunction meaning 'as' or 'like' in comparisons.
- Gefahr
- Noun meaning 'danger' or 'peril' threatening safety.
- nicht
- Adverb meaning 'not' negating verbs and adjectives.
- Ich
- First person singular pronoun 'I' at sentence beginning.
- sein
- Infinitive verb meaning 'to be' fundamental in German.
- Aber
- Conjunction meaning 'but' introducing contrasting statements.
- Erfolg
- Noun meaning 'success' or 'achievement' of goals.
- _wird_
- Future auxiliary 'will' indicating future tense formation.
- Bemühungen
- Plural noun meaning 'efforts' or 'endeavors' undertaken.
- Warum
- Interrogative adverb meaning 'why' requesting explanation.
- So
- Adverb meaning 'so' or 'thus' indicating manner.
- weit
- Adverb meaning 'far' or 'distant' in space.
- bin
- First person singular present of 'sein' (am).
- gegangen
- Past participle of 'gehen'; 'gone' or 'walked'.
- habe
- First person singular present of 'haben' (have).
- einen
- Accusative form of 'ein'; masculine 'a' or 'one'.
- sicheren
- Adjective meaning 'safe' or 'secure' from danger.
- Weg
- Noun meaning 'way' or 'path' for travel.
- über
- Preposition meaning 'over' or 'across' in space.
- Meere
- Plural of 'meer'; 'seas' or 'oceans' bodies.
- Sterne
- Plural noun meaning 'stars' celestial navigation objects.
- Zeugen
- Noun meaning 'witnesses' or 'testimony' to events.
- meines
- Possessive adjective 'my' in genitive or neuter form.
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