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Letter from Harriet Shelley to Eliza Westbrook. Shelley and her parents.

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London, December 1816. To you, my dear sister.

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I leave all my things and they more properly belong to you than anyone.

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And you will preserve them for I don't see. God bless you both, my dearest and much beloved sister.

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Saturday evening. When you read this letter, I shall be no more an inhabitant of this miserable world.

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Do you not regret the loss of one who could never be anything but a source of vexation and misery to you,

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or longing to me, too wretched to accept myself, lowered in the opinion of everyone.

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Why should I drag on a miserable existence, embittered by past recollections and not one ray of hope to rest on for the future?

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The remembrance of all your kindness, which I have so unwisely repaid, has often made my heart ache.

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I know that you will forgive me because it is not in your nature to be unkind or severe to any dear,

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amiable woman that I had never left you over, that I had always taken your advice.

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I might have lived long and happy, but weak and unsteady have rushed on my own destruction.

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I have not written to Bush. Oh, no.

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What would it avail? My wishes or my prayers would not be attended to by him.

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And yet I should see this. Perhaps he might grant my last request to let Anthony remain with you.

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Always, dear, lovely child. With you. She will enjoy much happiness with him.

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None. My dear Bish, let me conjure you by the remembrance of our days of happiness to grant my last wish.

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Do not take your innocent child from Eliza, who has been more than I have and who has watched over her with such unceasing care.

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Do not refuse my last request. I never could refuse you.

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And if you had never left me, I might have lived. But as it is, I freely forgive you.

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I may you enjoy that happiness which you have deprived me of. There is your beautiful boy.

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Oh, be careful of him. And his life may prove one day a rich reward as you form his infant mind.

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So you will reap the fruits hereafter. Now comes the sad task of saying farewell.

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Oh, I must be quick. God bless and watch over you.

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You, dear Bish. And you, dear Eliza. May all happiness attend you both.

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It is the last wish of her who loved me more than all others. My children.

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I dare not trust myself that they are too young to regret me.

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And you will be kind to them for their own sakes, more than for mine. My parents do not regret me.

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I was unworthy of your love and care. Be happy.

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All of you. So shall my spirit find rest and forgiveness.

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God bless you all. Is the last prayer of the unfortunate Harriet.

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Ask.