Франкенштейн

           Iwasbewildered,inacloudofwonderandhorror.ThedeathofWilliam,theexecutionofJustine,themurderofClerval,andlastlyofmywife;evenatthatmomentIknewnotthatmyonlyremainingfriendsweresafefromthemalignityofthefiend;myfatherevennowmightbewrithingunderhisgrasp,andErnestmightbedeadathisfeet.Thisideamademeshudderandrecalledmetoaction.IstartedupandresolvedtoreturntoGenevawithallpossiblespeed.

           Therewerenohorsestobeprocured,andImustreturnbythelake;butthewindwasunfavourable,andtherainfellintorrents.However,itwashardlymorning,andImightreasonablyhopetoarrivebynight.Ihiredmentorowandtookanoarmyself,forIhadalwaysexperiencedrelieffrommentaltormentinbodilyexercise.ButtheoverflowingmiseryInowfelt,andtheexcessofagitationthatIenduredrenderedmeincapableofanyexertion.Ithrewdowntheoar,andleaningmyheaduponmyhands,gavewaytoeverygloomyideathatarose.IfIlookedup,IsawsceneswhichwerefamiliartomeinmyhappiertimeandwhichIhadcontemplatedbutthedaybeforeinthecompanyofherwhowasnowbutashadowandarecollection.Tearsstreamedfrommyeyes.Therainhadceasedforamoment,andIsawthefishplayinthewatersastheyhaddoneafewhoursbefore;theyhadthenbeenobservedbyElizabeth.Nothingissopainfultothehumanmindasagreatandsuddenchange.Thesunmightshineorthecloudsmightlower,butnothingcouldappeartomeasithaddonethedaybefore.Afiendhadsnatchedfrommeeveryhopeoffuturehappiness;nocreaturehadeverbeensomiserableasIwas;sofrightfulaneventissingleinthehistoryofman.ButwhyshouldIdwellupontheincidentsthatfollowedthislastoverwhelmingevent?Minehasbeenataleofhorrors;Ihavereachedtheiracme,andwhatImustnowrelatecanbutbetedioustoyou.Knowthat,onebyone,myfriendsweresnatchedaway;Iwasleftdesolate.