105
" He is a seemingly arbitrary man, this is because he knows what he is talking about better than any one else. He is a philosopher and a metaphysician, and one of the most advanced scientist of his day, and he has, I believe an absolutely open mind. This, with an iron nerve, a temper of ice-brook, and indomitable resolution, self-command, and toleration exalted from virtues to blessings, and the kindliest and truest heart that beats, these form his equipment for the noble work that he is doing for mankind, work both in theory and practice, for his views are as wide as his all-embracing sympathy. "
― Bram Stoker , Dracula
106
" «Vieni, sorella. Vieni a noi. Su, vieni, vieni!» Impaurito io mi volgo a mia povera Madam Mina, e il mio cuore per felicità è balzato come fiamma; perché, oh, il terrore in suoi dolci occhi, la repulsione, l'orrore! E la convinzione, per me, che era ancora speranza. Dio sia ringraziato, non era ancora, non ancora, di quelle. Ho preso un pezzo dell'ostia avanzando verso di loro e il fuoco. Esse arretrano davanti a me, ridendo il loro basso, orrido riso. Io attizzo il fuoco e più non temo loro, perché sapevo che dietro nostre protezioni siamo sani e salvi. Esse non potevano accostare me mentre così armato, né Madam Mina mentre che rimaneva dentro il cerchio, che essa non poteva lasciare non più che quelle potevano entrare. I cavalli avevano cessato di gemere, e ancora giacevano a terra; la neve cadeva soffice su di essi, ed essi diventavano più bianchi e più bianchi. Sapevo che per le povere bestie era finito il terrore. E così siamo rimasti finché il rosso dell'alba è filtrato tra il biancore di neve. Ero desolato e intimorito, e pieno di tristi presentimenti; ma quando il bel sole ha cominciato a salire sull'orizzonte, la vita è in me tornata. Al primo venire dell'alba, le orride figure dissolvono nel turbine di nebbia e neve, spire di trasparente tenebra che va via verso il castello e sono perdute "
― Bram Stoker , Dracula
119
" Everything is grey—except the green grass, which seems like emerald amongst it; grey earthy rock; grey clouds, tinged with the sunburst at the far edge, hang over the grey sea, into which the sand-points stretch like grey fingers. The sea is tumbling in over the shallows and the sandy flats with a roar, muffled in the sea-mists drifting inland. The horizon is lost in a grey mist. All is vastness; the clouds are piled up like giant rocks, and there is a “brool” over the sea that sounds like some presage of doom. Dark figures are on the beach here and there, sometimes half shrouded in the mist, and seem “men like trees walking.” The fishing-boats are racing for home, and rise and dip in the ground swell as they sweep into the harbour, bending to the scuppers. "
― Bram Stoker , Dracula
120
" Some day soon the Angel of Death will sound his trumpet for me. But don’t ye dooal an’ greet, my deary!”—for he saw that I was crying—“if he should come this very night I’d not refuse to answer his call. For life be, after all, only a waitin’ for somethin’ else than what we’re doin’; and death be all that we can rightly depend on. But I’m content, for it’s comin’ to me, my deary, and comin’ quick. It may be comin’ while we be lookin’ and wonderin’. Maybe it’s in that wind out over the sea that’s bringin’ with it loss and wreck, and sore distress, and sad hearts. Look! look!” he cried suddenly. “There’s something in that wind and in the hoast beyont that sounds, and looks, and tastes, and smells like death. It’s in the air; I feel it comin’. Lord, make me answer cheerful when my call comes!” He held up his arms devoutly, and raised his hat. His mouth moved as though he were praying. After a few minutes’ silence, he got up, shook hands with me, and blessed me, and said good-bye, and hobbled off. "
― Bram Stoker , Dracula