I collected the instruments of life around me, 
that I might infuse a spark 
into the lifeless thing at my feet. 
It was already one in the morning: 
rain pattered dismally against the panes, 
and my lamp was nearly burnt out, when, 
by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, 
I saw the dull, yellow eye of the creature open; 
it breathed hard. 
How to describe my emotions...? 
How delineate the wretch? 
Yellow skin scarcely covering muscles, arteries; 
hair a lustrous black, and flowing; 
teeth all pearly whiteness. 
I had chosen these features as beautiful. 
Beautiful! Great God!