Франкенштейн

           Thedeepgriefwhichthisscenehadatfirstexcitedquicklygavewaytorageanddespair.Theyweredead,andIlived;theirmurdereralsolived,andtodestroyhimImustdragoutmywearyexistence.Ikneltonthegrassandkissedtheearthandwithquiveringlipsexclaimed,"BythesacredearthonwhichIkneel,bytheshadesthatwandernearme,bythedeepandeternalgriefthatIfeel,Iswear;andbythee,ONight,andthespiritsthatpresideoverthee,topursuethedaemonwhocausedthismisery,untilheorIshallperishinmortalconflict.ForthispurposeIwillpreservemylife;toexecutethisdearrevengewillIagainbeholdthesunandtreadthegreenherbageofearth,whichotherwiseshouldvanishfrommyeyesforever.AndIcallonyou,spiritsofthedead,andonyou,wanderingministersofvengeance,toaidandconductmeinmywork.Letthecursedandhellishmonsterdrinkdeepofagony;lethimfeelthedespairthatnowtormentsme."Ihadbegunmyadjurationwithsolemnityandanawewhichalmostassuredmethattheshadesofmymurderedfriendsheardandapprovedmydevotion,butthefuriespossessedmeasIconcluded,andragechokedmyutterance.

           Iwasansweredthroughthestillnessofnightbyaloudandfiendishlaugh.Itrangonmyearslongandheavily;themountainsre-echoedit,andIfeltasifallhellsurroundedmewithmockeryandlaughter.SurelyinthatmomentIshouldhavebeenpossessedbyfrenzyandhavedestroyedmymiserableexistencebutthatmyvowwasheardandthatIwasreservedforvengeance.Thelaughterdiedaway,whenawell-knownandabhorredvoice,apparentlyclosetomyear,addressedmeinanaudiblewhisper,"Iamsatisfied,miserablewretch!Youhavedeterminedtolive,andIamsatisfied."

           Idartedtowardsthespotfromwhichthesoundproceeded,butthedevileludedmygrasp.Suddenlythebroaddiskofthemoonaroseandshonefulluponhisghastlyanddistortedshapeashefledwithmorethanmortalspeed.