Esquisse d'après Frankenstein

About

By the sacred earth on which I kneel, by the shadows that wander around me, by the deep and eternal sorrow I feel, I swear; and by you, O Night, and by the spirits who reign over you, to pursue the demon who has unleashed this suffering, until either he or I perish in mortal combat.

For this, I wish to continue living: to carry out this dear vengeance, I will still gaze upon the sun and tread the green grass of the earth, which otherwise would disappear forever from my sight.

And I call upon your help, O spirits of words, and yours, wandering ministers of Vengeance, to guide me in my work.

May the cursed and infernal monster drink deeply of suffering; may he know the despair that tortures me today!


Mary Shelley, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818, rev. 1831)