Chapter 5

           ItwasonadrearynightofNovemberthatIbeheldtheaccomplishmentofmytoils.Withananxietythatalmostamountedtoagony,Icollectedtheinstrumentsoflifearoundme,thatImightinfuseasparkofbeingintothelifelessthingthatlayatmyfeet.Itwasalreadyoneinthemorning;therainpattereddismallyagainstthepanes,andmycandlewasnearlyburntout,when,bytheglimmerofthehalf-extinguishedlight,Isawthedullyelloweyeofthecreatureopen;itbreathedhard,andaconvulsivemotionagitateditslimbs.

           HowcanIdescribemyemotionsatthiscatastrophe,orhowdelineatethewretchwhomwithsuchinfinitepainsandcareIhadendeavouredtoform?Hislimbswereinproportion,andIhadselectedhisfeaturesasbeautiful.Beautiful!GreatGod!Hisyellowskinscarcelycoveredtheworkofmusclesandarteriesbeneath;hishairwasofalustrousblack,andflowing;histeethofapearlywhiteness;buttheseluxuriancesonlyformedamorehorridcontrastwithhiswateryeyes,thatseemedalmostofthesamecolourasthedun-whitesocketsinwhichtheywereset,hisshrivelledcomplexionandstraightblacklips.

           Thedifferentaccidentsoflifearenotsochangeableasthefeelingsofhumannature.Ihadworkedhardfornearlytwoyears,forthesolepurposeofinfusinglifeintoaninanimatebody.ForthisIhaddeprivedmyselfofrestandhealth.Ihaddesireditwithanardourthatfarexceededmoderation;butnowthatIhadfinished,thebeautyofthedreamvanished,andbreathlesshorroranddisgustfilledmyheart.UnabletoenduretheaspectofthebeingIhadcreated,Irushedoutoftheroomandcontinuedalongtimetraversingmybed-chamber,unabletocomposemymindtosleep.AtlengthlassitudesucceededtothetumultIhadbeforeendured,andIthrewmyselfonthebedinmyclothes,endeavouringtoseekafewmomentsofforgetfulness.