Франкенштейн

           Ihadmoneywithmeandgainedthefriendshipofthevillagersbydistributingit;orIbroughtwithmesomefoodthatIhadkilled,which,aftertakingasmallpart,Ialwayspresentedtothosewhohadprovidedmewithfireandutensilsforcooking.

           Mylife,asitpassedthus,wasindeedhatefultome,anditwasduringsleepalonethatIcouldtastejoy.Oblessedsleep!Often,whenmostmiserable,Isanktorepose,andmydreamslulledmeeventorapture.Thespiritsthatguardedmehadprovidedthesemoments,orratherhours,ofhappinessthatImightretainstrengthtofulfilmypilgrimage.Deprivedofthisrespite,Ishouldhavesunkundermyhardships.DuringthedayIwassustainedandinspiritedbythehopeofnight,forinsleepIsawmyfriends,mywife,andmybelovedcountry;againIsawthebenevolentcountenanceofmyfather,heardthesilvertonesofmyElizabeth’svoice,andbeheldClervalenjoyinghealthandyouth.Often,whenweariedbyatoilsomemarch,IpersuadedmyselfthatIwasdreaminguntilnightshouldcomeandthatIshouldthenenjoyrealityinthearmsofmydearestfriends.WhatagonizingfondnessdidIfeelforthem!HowdidIclingtotheirdearforms,assometimestheyhauntedevenmywakinghours,andpersuademyselfthattheystilllived!Atsuchmomentsvengeance,thatburnedwithinme,diedinmyheart,andIpursuedmypathtowardsthedestructionofthedaemonmoreasataskenjoinedbyheaven,asthemechanicalimpulseofsomepowerofwhichIwasunconscious,thanastheardentdesireofmysoul.WhathisfeelingswerewhomIpursuedIcannotknow.Sometimes,indeed,heleftmarksinwritingonthebarksofthetreesorcutinstonethatguidedmeandinstigatedmyfury."Myreignisnotyetover"—thesewordswerelegibleinoneoftheseinscriptions—"youlive,andmypoweriscomplete.Followme;Iseektheeverlastingicesofthenorth,whereyouwillfeelthemiseryofcoldandfrost,towhichIamimpassive.