Франкенштейн
Walton, in continuation
Inthemeantimehetoldmethatmyfriendhadcertainlynotmanyhourstolive.
Hissentencewaspronounced,andIcouldonlygrieveandbepatient.Isatbyhisbed,watchinghim;hiseyeswereclosed,andIthoughtheslept;butpresentlyhecalledtomeinafeeblevoice,andbiddingmecomenear,said,"Alas!ThestrengthIreliedonisgone;IfeelthatIshallsoondie,andhe,myenemyandpersecutor,maystillbeinbeing.Thinknot,Walton,thatinthelastmomentsofmyexistenceIfeelthatburninghatredandardentdesireofrevengeIonceexpressed;butIfeelmyselfjustifiedindesiringthedeathofmyadversary.DuringtheselastdaysIhavebeenoccupiedinexaminingmypastconduct;nordoIfinditblamable.InafitofenthusiasticmadnessIcreatedarationalcreatureandwasboundtowardshimtoassure,asfaraswasinmypower,hishappinessandwell-being.
"Thiswasmyduty,buttherewasanotherstillparamounttothat.Mydutiestowardsthebeingsofmyownspecieshadgreaterclaimstomyattentionbecausetheyincludedagreaterproportionofhappinessormisery.Urgedbythisview,Irefused,andIdidrightinrefusing,tocreateacompanionforthefirstcreature.Heshowedunparalleledmalignityandselfishnessinevil;hedestroyedmyfriends;hedevotedtodestructionbeingswhopossessedexquisitesensations,happiness,andwisdom;nordoIknowwherethisthirstforvengeancemayend.Miserablehimselfthathemayrendernootherwretched,heoughttodie.Thetaskofhisdestructionwasmine,butIhavefailed.
