from Frankenstein
"Abhorred monster I find that thou art! The tortures
of hell are too mild a vengeance for thy crimes. Wretched
devil! you reproach me with your creation; come on, then,
that I may extinguish the spark which I so negligently bestowed."
My rage was without bounds; I sprang on him, impelled by all
the feelings which can arm one being against the existence
of another. He easily eluded me, and said "Be calm I
entreat you to hear me, before you give vent to your hatred
on my devoted head. Have 1 not suffered enough that you seek
to increase my misery? Life, although it may only be an accumulation
of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it. Remember,
thou hast made me more powerful than thyself; my height is
superior to thine; my joints more supple. But 1 will not be
tempted to set myself in opposition to thee. 1 am thy creature,
and 1 will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and
king, if thou wilt also perform thy pan, the which thou owest
me, Oh, Frankenstein, be not equitable to every other, and
trample upon me alone, to whom thy justice, and even thy clemency
and affection, is most due. Remember, that 1 am thy creature;
1 ought to be thy Adam; but 1 am rather the fallen angel,
whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Everywhere 1 see
bliss, from which 1 alone am irrevocably excluded. 1 was benevolent
and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and 1 shall
again be virtuous."
- Mary Shelley
'My dear Bysshe, let me conjure you by the remembrance of
our day of happiness to grant my last wish, Do not take your
innocent child from Eliza who has been more than 1 have, who
has watched over her with such unceasing care. Do not refuse
my last request 1 never could refuse you & if you had
never left me 1 might have lived, but as it is I freely forgive
you & may you enjoy that happiness which you have deprived
me of. There is your beautiful boy. Oh, be careful of him,
& his love may prove one day a rich reward. As you form
his infant mind so will you reap the fruits hereafter. Now
comes the sad task of saying farewell – oh! I must be
quick. God bless and watch over you all. You dear Bysshe &
you dear Eliza. May all happiness attend ye both is the last
wish of her who loved ye more than all others.
- Harriet Westbrook writing to her sister Eliza
'I know not how to address you, I cannot call you friend
for though 1 love you, you do not feel even interest for me;
fate has ordained that the slightest accident that should
befall you should be agony to me; but were I to float by your
window drowned all you would say would be "Ah viola"
... '
- Claire Clairemont writing to Byron
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