Frankenstein; or, the modern prometheus — Page 5

我也意识到，在从事那项阴森工作的过程中，我将常常失去所有的自制力，无法掩藏那些折磨我的强烈情感。

I was aware also that I should often lose all self-command, all capacity of hiding the harrowing sensations that would possess me during the progress of my unearthly occupation.

在从事这项工作期间，我必须远离所有我爱的人。

I must absent myself from all I loved while thus employed.

一旦开始，便会迅速完成，之后我便能平静而幸福地回到家人身边。

Once commenced, it would quickly be achieved, and I might be restored to my family in peace and happiness.

我的承诺一旦履行，那怪物便会永远离去。

My promise fulfilled, the monster would depart for ever.

或者（这是我痴心的幻想）在此期间或许会发生某种意外，将他毁灭，永远终结我的奴役。

Or (so my fond fancy imaged) some accident might meanwhile occur to destroy him and put an end to my slavery for ever.

这些想法决定了我对父亲的回答。

These feelings dictated my answer to my father.

我表达了想去英格兰游历的愿望，但隐瞒了这一请求的真实原因，以一种不引起任何怀疑的借口掩盖了我真实的意图，同时以诚挚的热情坚持这一愿望，轻易地使父亲答应了我。

I expressed a wish to visit England, but concealing the true reasons of this request, I clothed my desires under a guise which excited no suspicion, while I urged my desire with an earnestness that easily induced my father to comply.

经历了如此漫长的一段吞噬一切、其强度和影响近乎疯狂的忧郁之后，他很高兴地发现，我竟然能够对这样一次旅行的想法感到期待。

After so long a period of an absorbing melancholy that resembled madness in its intensity and effects, he was glad to find that I was capable of taking pleasure in the idea of such a journey,

他希望在我归来之前，风景的变换与多样的消遣能让我完全恢复如初。

and he hoped that change of scene and varied amusement would, before my return, have restored me entirely to myself.

我离开的时间长短由我自己决定；预计的期限是几个月，最多一年。

The duration of my absence was left to my own choice; a few months, or at most a year, was the period contemplated.

他出于慈父之心，采取了一项预防措施，以确保我有一位同伴相随。

One paternal kind precaution he had taken to ensure my having a companion.