26 ноя 2008 г.
аудирование: рассказы

Rappaccini's Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (3): ТРАНСКРИПТ

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Several weeks later, Giovanni went to visit Pietro Baglioni, a friend of his father's. Professor Baglioni taught medicine at the university. During the visit, Giovanni asked about Doctor Rappaccini. "He is a great scientist," Professor Baglioni replied. "But he is also a dangerous man."

"Why?" asked Giovanni.

The older man shook his head slowly. "Because Rappaccini cares more about science than he does about people. He has created many terrible poisons from the plants in his garden. He thinks he can cure sickness with these poisons.

It is true that several times he has cured a very sick person that everyone thought would die. But Rappaccini's medicine has also killed many people. I think he would sacrifice any life, even his own, for one of his experiments."

"But what about his daughter?" Giovanni said. "I'm sure he loves her."

The old professor smiled at the young man. "So," he said, "You have heard about Beatrice Rappaccini. People say she is very beautiful. But few men in Padua have ever seen her. She never leaves here father's garden."

Giovanni left professor Baglione's house as the sun was setting. On his way home, he stopped at a flower shop where he bought some fresh flowers. He returned to his room and sat by the window.

Very little sunlight was left. The garden was quiet. The purple flowers on Giovanni's favorite plant seemed to glow in the evening's fading light.