The Modern Prometheus modern design twist on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein | Page 28

The Modern Prometheus

a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more
horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of
the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were
set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.

The different accidents of life are not so changeable as
the feelings of human nature. I had worked hard for nearly two
years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate
body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had
desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but
now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished,
and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable
to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out
of the room and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep. At length
lassitude succeeded to the tumult I had before endured, and I
threw myself on the bed in my clothes, endeavouring to seek
a few moments of forgetfulness. But it was in vain; I slept,
indeed, but I was disturbed by the wildest dreams. I thought I
saw Elizabeth, in the bloom of health, walking in the streets of
Ingolstadt. Delighted and surprised, I embraced her, but as I
imprinted the first kiss on her lips, they became livid with the
hue of death; her features appeared to change, and I thought
that I held the corpse of my dead mother in my arms; a shroud
enveloped her form, and I saw the grave-worms crawling in
the folds of the flannel. I started from my sleep with horror; a
cold dew covered my forehead, my teeth chattered, and every
limb became convulsed; when, by the dim and yellow light of
the moon, as it forced its way through the window shutters, I
beheld the wretch—the miserable monster whom I had created.
He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may
be called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered
some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks.
He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was
stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped and

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