[Asgivenintheoriginaledition。]
TheauthoroftheseTravels,Mr。LemuelGulliver,ismyancientandintimatefriend;thereislikewisesomerelationbetweenusonthemother'sside。Aboutthreeyearsago,Mr。GullivergrowingwearyoftheconcourseofcuriouspeoplecomingtohimathishouseinRedriff,madeasmallpurchaseofland,withaconvenienthouse,nearNewark,inNottinghamshire,hisnativecountry;wherehenowlivesretired,yetingoodesteemamonghisneighbours。
AlthoughMr。GulliverwasborninNottinghamshire,wherehisfatherdwelt,yetIhaveheardhimsayhisfamilycamefromOxfordshire;toconfirmwhich,IhaveobservedinthechurchyardatBanburyinthatcounty,severaltombsandmonumentsoftheGullivers。
BeforehequittedRedriff,heleftthecustodyofthefollowingpapersinmyhands,withthelibertytodisposeofthemasI
shouldthinkfit。Ihavecarefullyperusedthemthreetimes。
Thestyleisveryplainandsimple;andtheonlyfaultIfindis,thattheauthor,afterthemanneroftravellers,isalittletoocircumstantial。Thereisanairoftruthapparentthroughthewhole;andindeedtheauthorwassodistinguishedforhisveracity,thatitbecameasortofproverbamonghisneighboursatRedriff,whenanyoneaffirmedathing,tosay,itwasastrueasifMr。Gulliverhadspokenit。
Bytheadviceofseveralworthypersons,towhom,withtheauthor'spermission,Icommunicatedthesepapers,Inowventuretosendthemintotheworld,hopingtheymaybe,atleastforsometime,abetterentertainmenttoouryoungnoblemen,thanthecommonscribblesofpoliticsandparty。
Thisvolumewouldhavebeenatleasttwiceaslarge,ifIhadnotmadeboldtostrikeoutinnumerablepassagesrelatingtothewindsandtides,aswellastothevariationsandbearingsintheseveralvoyages,togetherwiththeminutedescriptionsofthemanagementoftheshipinstorms,inthestyleofsailors;
likewisetheaccountoflongitudesandlatitudes;whereinIhavereasontoapprehend,thatMr。Gullivermaybealittledissatisfied。ButIwasresolvedtofittheworkasmuchaspossibletothegeneralcapacityofreaders。However,ifmyownignoranceinseaaffairsshallhaveledmetocommitsomemistakes,Ialoneamanswerableforthem。Andifanytravellerhathacuriositytoseethewholeworkatlarge,asitcamefromthehandsoftheauthor,Iwillbereadytogratifyhim。
Asforanyfurtherparticularsrelatingtotheauthor,thereaderwillreceivesatisfactionfromthefirstpagesofthebook。
RICHARDSYMPSON。
ALETTERFROMCAPTAINGULLIVERTOHISCOUSINSYMPSON。
WRITTENINTHEYEAR1727。
Ihopeyouwillbereadytoownpublicly,wheneveryoushallbecalledtoit,thatbyyourgreatandfrequenturgencyyouprevailedonmetopublishaverylooseanduncorrectaccountofmytravels,withdirectionstohiresomeyounggentlemanofeitheruniversitytoputtheminorder,andcorrectthestyle,asmycousinDampierdid,bymyadvice,inhisbookcalled"AVoyageroundtheworld。"ButIdonotrememberIgaveyoupowertoconsentthatanythingshouldbeomitted,andmuchlessthatanythingshouldbeinserted;therefore,astothelatter,Idohererenounceeverythingofthatkind;particularlyaparagraphabouthermajestyQueenAnne,ofmostpiousandgloriousmemory;
althoughIdidreverenceandesteemhermorethananyofhumanspecies。Butyou,oryourinterpolator,oughttohaveconsidered,thatitwasnotmyinclination,sowasitnotdecenttopraiseanyanimalofourcompositionbeforemymasterHOUYHNHNM:Andbesides,thefactwasaltogetherfalse;fortomyknowledge,beinginEnglandduringsomepartofhermajesty'sreign,shedidgovernbyachiefminister;nayevenbytwosuccessively,thefirstwhereofwasthelordofGodolphin,andthesecondthelordofOxford;sothatyouhavemademesaythethingthatwasnot。Likewiseintheaccountoftheacademyofprojectors,andseveralpassagesofmydiscoursetomymasterHOUYHNHNM,youhaveeitheromittedsomematerialcircumstances,ormincedorchangedtheminsuchamanner,thatIdohardlyknowmyownwork。WhenIformerlyhintedtoyousomethingofthisinaletter,youwerepleasedtoanswerthatyouwereafraidofgivingoffence;thatpeopleinpowerwereverywatchfuloverthepress,andaptnotonlytointerpret,buttopunisheverythingwhichlookedlikeanINNUENDOasIthinkyoucallit。But,prayhowcouldthatwhichIspokesomanyyearsago,andataboutfivethousandleaguesdistance,inanotherreign,beappliedtoanyoftheYAHOOS,whonowaresaidtogoverntheherd;
especiallyatatimewhenIlittlethought,orfeared,theunhappinessoflivingunderthem?HavenotIthemostreasontocomplain,whenIseetheseveryYAHOOScarriedbyHOUYHNHNMSinavehicle,asiftheywerebrutes,andthosetherationalcreatures?Andindeedtoavoidsomonstrousanddetestableasightwasoneprincipalmotiveofmyretirementhither。
ThusmuchIthoughtpropertotellyouinrelationtoyourself,andtothetrustIreposedinyou。
Ido,inthenextplace,complainofmyowngreatwantofjudgment,inbeingprevaileduponbytheentreatiesandfalsereasoningofyouandsomeothers,verymuchagainstmyownopinion,tosuffermytravelstobepublished。PraybringtoyourmindhowoftenIdesiredyoutoconsider,whenyouinsistedonthemotiveofpublicgood,thattheYAHOOSwereaspeciesofanimalsutterlyincapableofamendmentbypreceptorexample:
andsoithasproved;for,insteadofseeingafullstopputtoallabusesandcorruptions,atleastinthislittleisland,asI
hadreasontoexpect;behold,afterabovesixmonthswarning,I
cannotlearnthatmybookhasproducedonesingleeffectaccordingtomyintentions。Idesiredyouwouldletmeknow,byaletter,whenpartyandfactionwereextinguished;judgeslearnedandupright;pleadershonestandmodest,withsometinctureofcommonsense,andSmithfieldblazingwithpyramidsoflawbooks;theyoungnobility'seducationentirelychanged;thephysiciansbanished;thefemaleYAHOOSaboundinginvirtue,honour,truth,andgoodsense;courtsandleveesofgreatministersthoroughlyweededandswept;wit,merit,andlearningrewarded;alldisgracersofthepressinproseandversecondemnedtoeatnothingbuttheirowncotton,andquenchtheirthirstwiththeirownink。These,andathousandotherreformations,Ifirmlycounteduponbyyourencouragement;asindeedtheywereplainlydeduciblefromthepreceptsdeliveredinmybook。Anditmustbeowned,thatsevenmonthswereasufficienttimetocorrecteveryviceandfollytowhichYAHOOS
aresubject,iftheirnatureshadbeencapableoftheleastdispositiontovirtueorwisdom。Yet,sofarhaveyoubeenfromansweringmyexpectationinanyofyourletters;thatonthecontraryyouareloadingourcarriereveryweekwithlibels,andkeys,andreflections,andmemoirs,andsecondparts;whereinI
seemyselfaccusedofreflectingupongreatstatefolk;ofdegradinghumannatureforsotheyhavestilltheconfidencetostyleit,andofabusingthefemalesex。Ifindlikewisethatthewritersofthosebundlesarenotagreedamongthemselves;forsomeofthemwillnotallowmetobetheauthorofmyowntravels;andothersmakemeauthorofbookstowhichIamwhollyastranger。
Ifindlikewisethatyourprinterhasbeensocarelessastoconfoundthetimes,andmistakethedates,ofmyseveralvoyagesandreturns;neitherassigningthetrueyear,northetruemonth,nordayofthemonth:andIheartheoriginalmanuscriptisalldestroyedsincethepublicationofmybook;neitherhaveIanycopyleft:however,Ihavesentyousomecorrections,whichyoumayinsert,ifeverthereshouldbeasecondedition:andyetI
cannotstandtothem;butshallleavethatmattertomyjudiciousandcandidreaderstoadjustitastheyplease。
IhearsomeofourseaYAHOOSfindfaultwithmysea-language,asnotproperinmanyparts,nornowinuse。Icannothelpit。Inmyfirstvoyages,whileIwasyoung,Iwasinstructedbytheoldestmariners,andlearnedtospeakastheydid。ButIhavesincefoundthattheseaYAHOOSareapt,likethelandones,tobecomenew-fangledintheirwords,whichthelatterchangeeveryyear;insomuch,asIrememberuponeachreturntomyowncountrytheirolddialectwassoaltered,thatIcouldhardlyunderstandthenew。AndIobserve,whenanyYAHOOcomesfromLondonoutofcuriositytovisitmeatmyhouse,weneitherofusareabletodeliverourconceptionsinamannerintelligibletotheother。
IfthecensureoftheYAHOOScouldanywayaffectme,Ishouldhavegreatreasontocomplain,thatsomeofthemaresoboldastothinkmybookoftravelsamerefictionoutofmineownbrain,andhavegonesofarastodrophints,thattheHOUYHNHNMSandYAHOOShavenomoreexistencethantheinhabitantsofUtopia。
IndeedImustconfess,thatastothepeopleofLILLIPUT,BROBDINGRAGforsothewordshouldhavebeenspelt,andnoterroneouslyBROBDINGNAG,andLAPUTA,IhaveneveryetheardofanyYAHOOsopresumptuousastodisputetheirbeing,orthefactsIhaverelatedconcerningthem;becausethetruthimmediatelystrikeseveryreaderwithconviction。AndistherelessprobabilityinmyaccountoftheHOUYHNHNMSorYAHOOS,whenitismanifestastothelatter,therearesomanythousandseveninthiscountry,whoonlydifferfromtheirbrotherbrutesinHOUYHNHNMLAND,becausetheyuseasortofjabber,anddonotgonaked?Iwrotefortheiramendment,andnottheirapprobation。
Theunitedpraiseofthewholeracewouldbeoflessconsequencetome,thantheneighingofthosetwodegenerateHOUYHNHNMSI
keepinmystable;becausefromthese,degenerateastheyare,I
stillimproveinsomevirtueswithoutanymixtureofvice。
Dothesemiserableanimalspresumetothink,thatIamsodegeneratedastodefendmyveracity?YAHOOasIam,itiswellknownthroughallHOUYHNHNMLAND,that,bytheinstructionsandexampleofmyillustriousmaster,IwasableinthecompassoftwoyearsalthoughIconfesswiththeutmostdifficultytoremovethatinfernalhabitoflying,shuffling,deceiving,andequivocating,sodeeplyrootedintheverysoulsofallmyspecies;especiallytheEuropeans。
Ihaveothercomplaintstomakeuponthisvexatiousoccasion;butIforbeartroublingmyselforyouanyfurther。Imustfreelyconfess,thatsincemylastreturn,somecorruptionsofmyYAHOO
naturehaverevivedinmebyconversingwithafewofyourspecies,andparticularlythoseofmyownfamily,byanunavoidablenecessity;elseIshouldneverhaveattemptedsoabsurdaprojectasthatofreformingtheYAHOOraceinthiskingdom:ButIhavenowdonewithallsuchvisionaryschemesforever。
APRIL2,1727
Footnotes:
1Astangisapoleorperch;sixteenfeetandahalf。
2Anactofparliamenthasbeensincepassedbywhichsomebreachesoftrusthavebeenmadecapital。
3Britannia-SIRW。SCOTT。
4London-SIRW。SCOTT。
5ThisistherevisedtextadoptedbyDr。Hawksworth1766。
Theaboveparagraphintheoriginaleditions1726takesanotherform,commencing:-"ItoldhimthatshouldIhappentoliveinakingdomwherelotswereinvogue,"&c。ThenamesTribniaandLangdonannotmentioned,andthe"closestool"anditssignificationdonotoccur。
6Thisparagraphisnotintheoriginaleditions。
7TheoriginaleditionsandHawksworth'shaveRotherhithhere,thoughearlierinthework,RedriffissaidtohavebeenGulliver'shomeinEngland。
EndPARTI。AVOYAGETOLILLIPUT。
CHAPTERI。
[Theauthorgivessomeaccountofhimselfandfamily。Hisfirstinducementstotravel。Heisshipwrecked,andswimsforhislife。GetssafeonshoreinthecountryofLilliput;ismadeaprisoner,andcarriedupthecountry。]
MyfatherhadasmallestateinNottinghamshire:Iwasthethirdoffivesons。HesentmetoEmanuelCollegeinCambridgeatfourteenyearsold,whereIresidedthreeyears,andappliedmyselfclosetomystudies;butthechargeofmaintainingme,althoughIhadaveryscantyallowance,beingtoogreatforanarrowfortune,IwasboundapprenticetoMr。JamesBates,aneminentsurgeoninLondon,withwhomIcontinuedfouryears。Myfathernowandthensendingmesmallsumsofmoney,Ilaidthemoutinlearningnavigation,andotherpartsofthemathematics,usefultothosewhointendtotravel,asIalwaysbelieveditwouldbe,sometimeorother,myfortunetodo。WhenIleftMr。
Bates,Iwentdowntomyfather:where,bytheassistanceofhimandmyuncleJohn,andsomeotherrelations,Igotfortypounds,andapromiseofthirtypoundsayeartomaintainmeatLeyden:
thereIstudiedphysictwoyearsandsevenmonths,knowingitwouldbeusefulinlongvoyages。
SoonaftermyreturnfromLeyden,Iwasrecommendedbymygoodmaster,Mr。Bates,tobesurgeontotheSwallow,CaptainAbrahamPannel,commander;withwhomIcontinuedthreeyearsandahalf,makingavoyageortwointotheLevant,andsomeotherparts。
WhenIcamebackIresolvedtosettleinLondon;towhichMr。
Bates,mymaster,encouragedme,andbyhimIwasrecommendedtoseveralpatients。ItookpartofasmallhouseintheOldJewry;
andbeingadvisedtoaltermycondition,ImarriedMrs。MaryBurton,seconddaughtertoMr。EdmundBurton,hosier,inNewgate-street,withwhomIreceivedfourhundredpoundsforaportion。
ButmygoodmasterBatesdyingintwoyearsafter,andIhavingfewfriends,mybusinessbegantofail;formyconsciencewouldnotsuffermetoimitatethebadpracticeoftoomanyamongmybrethren。Havingthereforeconsultedwithmywife,andsomeofmyacquaintance,Ideterminedtogoagaintosea。Iwassurgeonsuccessivelyintwoships,andmadeseveralvoyages,forsixyears,totheEastandWestIndies,bywhichIgotsomeadditiontomyfortune。MyhoursofleisureIspentinreadingthebestauthors,ancientandmodern,beingalwaysprovidedwithagoodnumberofbooks;andwhenIwasashore,inobservingthemannersanddispositionsofthepeople,aswellaslearningtheirlanguage;whereinIhadagreatfacility,bythestrengthofmymemory。
Thelastofthesevoyagesnotprovingveryfortunate,Igrewwearyofthesea,andintendedtostayathomewithmywifeandfamily。IremovedfromtheOldJewrytoFetterLane,andfromthencetoWapping,hopingtogetbusinessamongthesailors;butitwouldnotturntoaccount。Afterthreeyearsexpectationthatthingswouldmend,IacceptedanadvantageousofferfromCaptainWilliamPrichard,masteroftheAntelope,whowasmakingavoyagetotheSouthSea。WesetsailfromBristol,May4,1699,andourvoyagewasatfirstveryprosperous。
Itwouldnotbeproper,forsomereasons,totroublethereaderwiththeparticularsofouradventuresinthoseseas;letitsufficetoinformhim,thatinourpassagefromthencetotheEastIndies,weweredrivenbyaviolentstormtothenorth-westofVanDiemen'sLand。Byanobservation,wefoundourselvesinthelatitudeof30degrees2minutessouth。Twelveofourcrewweredeadbyimmoderatelabourandillfood;therestwereinaveryweakcondition。Onthe5thofNovember,whichwasthebeginningofsummerinthoseparts,theweatherbeingveryhazy,theseamenspiedarockwithinhalfacable'slengthoftheship;
butthewindwassostrong,thatweweredrivendirectlyuponit,andimmediatelysplit。Sixofthecrew,ofwhomIwasone,havingletdowntheboatintothesea,madeashifttogetclearoftheshipandtherock。Werowed,bymycomputation,aboutthreeleagues,tillwewereabletoworknolonger,beingalreadyspentwithlabourwhilewewereintheship。Wethereforetrustedourselvestothemercyofthewaves,andinabouthalfanhourtheboatwasoversetbyasuddenflurryfromthenorth。
Whatbecameofmycompanionsintheboat,aswellasofthosewhoescapedontherock,orwereleftinthevessel,Icannottell;
butconcludetheywerealllost。Formyownpart,Iswamasfortunedirectedme,andwaspushedforwardbywindandtide。I
oftenletmylegsdrop,andcouldfeelnobottom;butwhenIwasalmostgone,andabletostrugglenolonger,Ifoundmyselfwithinmydepth;andbythistimethestormwasmuchabated。Thedeclivitywassosmall,thatIwalkednearamilebeforeIgottotheshore,whichIconjecturedwasabouteighto'clockintheevening。Ithenadvancedforwardnearhalfamile,butcouldnotdiscoveranysignofhousesorinhabitants;atleastIwasinsoweakacondition,thatIdidnotobservethem。Iwasextremelytired,andwiththat,andtheheatoftheweather,andabouthalfapintofbrandythatIdrankasIlefttheship,Ifoundmyselfmuchinclinedtosleep。Ilaydownonthegrass,whichwasveryshortandsoft,whereIsleptsounderthaneverIrememberedtohavedoneinmylife,and,asIreckoned,aboutninehours;forwhenIawaked,itwasjustday-light。Iattemptedtorise,butwasnotabletostir:for,asIhappenedtolieonmyback,I
foundmyarmsandlegswerestronglyfastenedoneachsidetotheground;andmyhair,whichwaslongandthick,tieddowninthesamemanner。Ilikewisefeltseveralslenderligaturesacrossmybody,frommyarm-pitstomythighs。Icouldonlylookupwards;
thesunbegantogrowhot,andthelightoffendedmyeyes。I
heardaconfusednoiseaboutme;butinthepostureIlay,couldseenothingexceptthesky。InalittletimeIfeltsomethingalivemovingonmyleftleg,whichadvancinggentlyforwardovermybreast,camealmostuptomychin;when,bendingmyeyesdownwardsasmuchasIcould,Iperceivedittobeahumancreaturenotsixincheshigh,withabowandarrowinhishands,andaquiverathisback。Inthemeantime,IfeltatleastfortymoreofthesamekindasIconjecturedfollowingthefirst。Iwasintheutmostastonishment,androaredsoloud,thattheyallranbackinafright;andsomeofthem,asIwasafterwardstold,werehurtwiththefallstheygotbyleapingfrommysidesupontheground。However,theysoonreturned,andoneofthem,whoventuredsofarastogetafullsightofmyface,liftinguphishandsandeyesbywayofadmiration,criedoutinashrillbutdistinctvoice,HEKINAHDEGUL:theothersrepeatedthesamewordsseveraltimes,butthenIknewnotwhattheymeant。Ilayallthiswhile,asthereadermaybelieve,ingreatuneasiness。Atlength,strugglingtogetloose,Ihadthefortunetobreakthestrings,andwrenchoutthepegsthatfastenedmyleftarmtotheground;for,byliftingituptomyface,Idiscoveredthemethodstheyhadtakentobindme,andatthesametimewithaviolentpull,whichgavemeexcessivepain,Ialittleloosenedthestringsthattieddownmyhairontheleftside,sothatIwasjustabletoturnmyheadabouttwoinches。Butthecreaturesranoffasecondtime,beforeIcouldseizethem;whereupontherewasagreatshoutinaveryshrillaccent,andafteritceasedIheardoneofthemcryaloudTOLGO
PHONAC;wheninaninstantIfeltaboveahundredarrowsdischargedonmylefthand,which,prickedmelikesomanyneedles;andbesides,theyshotanotherflightintotheair,aswedobombsinEurope,whereofmany,Isuppose,fellonmybody,thoughIfeltthemnot,andsomeonmyface,whichI
immediatelycoveredwithmylefthand。Whenthisshowerofarrowswasover,Ifellagroaningwithgriefandpain;andthenstrivingagaintogetloose,theydischargedanothervolleylargerthanthefirst,andsomeofthemattemptedwithspearstostickmeinthesides;butbygoodluckIhadonabuffjerkin,whichtheycouldnotpierce。Ithoughtitthemostprudentmethodtoliestill,andmydesignwastocontinuesotillnight,when,mylefthandbeingalreadyloose,Icouldeasilyfreemyself:andasfortheinhabitants,IhadreasontobelieveI
mightbeamatchforthegreatestarmytheycouldbringagainstme,iftheywereallofthesamesizewithhimthatIsaw。Butfortunedisposedotherwiseofme。WhenthepeopleobservedIwasquiet,theydischargednomorearrows;but,bythenoiseIheard,Iknewtheirnumbersincreased;andaboutfouryardsfromme,overagainstmyrightear,Iheardaknockingforaboveanhour,likethatofpeopleatwork;whenturningmyheadthatway,aswellasthepegsandstringswouldpermitme,Isawastageerectedaboutafootandahalffromtheground,capableofholdingfouroftheinhabitants,withtwoorthreeladderstomountit:fromwhenceoneofthem,whoseemedtobeapersonofquality,mademealongspeech,whereofIunderstoodnotonesyllable。ButIshouldhavementioned,thatbeforetheprincipalpersonbeganhisoration,hecriedoutthreetimes,LANGRODEHUL
SANthesewordsandtheformerwereafterwardsrepeatedandexplainedtome;whereupon,immediately,aboutfiftyoftheinhabitantscameandcutthestringsthatfastenedtheleftsideofmyhead,whichgavemethelibertyofturningittotheright,andofobservingthepersonandgestureofhimthatwastospeak。
Heappearedtobeofamiddleage,andtallerthananyoftheotherthreewhoattendedhim,whereofonewasapagethathelduphistrain,andseemedtobesomewhatlongerthanmymiddlefinger;theothertwostoodoneoneachsidetosupporthim。Heactedeverypartofanorator,andIcouldobservemanyperiodsofthreatenings,andothersofpromises,pity,andkindness。I
answeredinafewwords,butinthemostsubmissivemanner,liftingupmylefthand,andbothmyeyestothesun,ascallinghimforawitness;andbeingalmostfamishedwithhunger,havingnoteatenamorselforsomehoursbeforeIlefttheship,Ifoundthedemandsofnaturesostronguponme,thatIcouldnotforbearshowingmyimpatienceperhapsagainstthestrictrulesofdecencybyputtingmyfingerfrequentlytomymouth,tosignifythatIwantedfood。TheHURGOforsotheycallagreatlord,asIafterwardslearntunderstoodmeverywell。Hedescendedfromthestage,andcommandedthatseveralladdersshouldbeappliedtomysides,onwhichaboveahundredoftheinhabitantsmountedandwalkedtowardsmymouth,ladenwithbasketsfullofmeat,whichhadbeenprovidedandsentthitherbytheking'sorders,uponthefirstintelligencehereceivedofme。Iobservedtherewasthefleshofseveralanimals,butcouldnotdistinguishthembythetaste。Therewereshoulders,legs,andloins,shapedlikethoseofmutton,andverywelldressed,butsmallerthanthewingsofalark。Iatethembytwoorthreeatamouthful,andtookthreeloavesatatime,aboutthebignessofmusketbullets。
Theysuppliedmeasfastastheycould,showingathousandmarksofwonderandastonishmentatmybulkandappetite。Ithenmadeanothersign,thatIwanteddrink。Theyfoundbymyeatingthatasmallquantitywouldnotsufficeme;andbeingamostingeniouspeople,theyslungup,withgreatdexterity,oneoftheirlargesthogsheads,thenrolledittowardsmyhand,andbeatoutthetop;
Idrankitoffatadraught,whichImightwelldo,foritdidnotholdhalfapint,andtastedlikeasmallwineofBurgundy,butmuchmoredelicious。Theybroughtmeasecondhogshead,whichIdrankinthesamemanner,andmadesignsformore;buttheyhadnonetogiveme。WhenIhadperformedthesewonders,theyshoutedforjoy,anddanceduponmybreast,repeatingseveraltimesastheydidatfirst,HEKINAHDEGUL。TheymademeasignthatIshouldthrowdownthetwohogsheads,butfirstwarningthepeoplebelowtostandoutoftheway,cryingaloud,BORACHMEVOLAH;andwhentheysawthevesselsintheair,therewasauniversalshoutofHEKINAHDEGUL。IconfessIwasoftentempted,whiletheywerepassingbackwardsandforwardsonmybody,toseizefortyorfiftyofthefirstthatcameinmyreach,anddashthemagainsttheground。ButtheremembranceofwhatI
hadfelt,whichprobablymightnotbetheworsttheycoulddo,andthepromiseofhonourImadethem——forsoIinterpretedmysubmissivebehaviour——soondroveouttheseimaginations。
Besides,Inowconsideredmyselfasboundbythelawsofhospitality,toapeoplewhohadtreatedmewithsomuchexpenseandmagnificence。However,inmythoughtsIcouldnotsufficientlywonderattheintrepidityofthesediminutivemortals,whodurstventuretomountandwalkuponmybody,whileoneofmyhandswasatliberty,withouttremblingattheverysightofsoprodigiousacreatureasImustappeartothem。
Aftersometime,whentheyobservedthatImadenomoredemandsformeat,thereappearedbeforemeapersonofhighrankfromhisimperialmajesty。Hisexcellency,havingmountedonthesmallofmyrightleg,advancedforwardsuptomyface,withaboutadozenofhisretinue;andproducinghiscredentialsunderthesignetroyal,whichheappliedclosetomyeyes,spokeabouttenminuteswithoutanysignsofanger,butwithakindofdeterminateresolution,oftenpointingforwards,which,asIafterwardsfound,wastowardsthecapitalcity,abouthalfamiledistant;
whitheritwasagreedbyhismajestyincouncilthatImustbeconveyed。Iansweredinfewwords,buttonopurpose,andmadeasignwithmyhandthatwasloose,puttingittotheotherbutoverhisexcellency'sheadforfearofhurtinghimorhistrain
andthentomyownheadandbody,tosignifythatIdesiredmyliberty。Itappearedthatheunderstoodmewellenough,forheshookhisheadbywayofdisapprobation,andheldhishandinaposturetoshowthatImustbecarriedasaprisoner。However,hemadeothersignstoletmeunderstandthatIshouldhavemeatanddrinkenough,andverygoodtreatment。WhereuponIoncemorethoughtofattemptingtobreakmybonds;butagain,whenIfeltthesmartoftheirarrowsuponmyfaceandhands,whichwereallinblisters,andmanyofthedartsstillstickinginthem,andobservinglikewisethatthenumberofmyenemiesincreased,I
gavetokenstoletthemknowthattheymightdowithmewhattheypleased。Uponthis,theHURGOandhistrainwithdrew,withmuchcivilityandcheerfulcountenances。SoonafterIheardageneralshout,withfrequentrepetitionsofthewordsPEPLOMSELAN;andI
feltgreatnumbersofpeopleonmyleftsiderelaxingthecordstosuchadegree,thatIwasabletoturnuponmyright,andtoeasemyselfwithmakingwater;whichIveryplentifullydid,tothegreatastonishmentofthepeople;who,conjecturingbymymotionwhatIwasgoingtodo,immediatelyopenedtotherightandleftonthatside,toavoidthetorrent,whichfellwithsuchnoiseandviolencefromme。Butbeforethis,theyhaddaubedmyfaceandbothmyhandswithasortofointment,verypleasanttothesmell,which,inafewminutes,removedallthesmartoftheirarrows。Thesecircumstances,addedtotherefreshmentI
hadreceivedbytheirvictualsanddrink,whichwereverynourishing,disposedmetosleep。Isleptabouteighthours,asIwasafterwardsassured;anditwasnowonder,forthephysicians,bytheemperor'sorder,hadmingledasleepypotioninthehogsheadsofwine。
Itseems,thatuponthefirstmomentIwasdiscoveredsleepingontheground,aftermylanding,theemperorhadearlynoticeofitbyanexpress;anddeterminedincouncil,thatIshouldbetiedinthemannerIhaverelated,whichwasdoneinthenightwhileIslept;thatplentyofmeatanddrinkshouldbesenttome,andamachinepreparedtocarrymetothecapitalcity。
Thisresolutionperhapsmayappearveryboldanddangerous,andI
amconfidentwouldnotbeimitatedbyanyprinceinEuropeonthelikeoccasion。However,inmyopinion,itwasextremelyprudent,aswellasgenerous:for,supposingthesepeoplehadendeavouredtokillmewiththeirspearsandarrows,whileIwasasleep,I
shouldcertainlyhaveawakedwiththefirstsenseofsmart,whichmightsofarhaverousedmyrageandstrength,astohaveenabledmetobreakthestringswherewithIwastied;afterwhich,astheywerenotabletomakeresistance,sotheycouldexpectnomercy。
Thesepeoplearemostexcellentmathematicians,andarrivedtoagreatperfectioninmechanics,bythecountenanceandencouragementoftheemperor,whoisarenownedpatronoflearning。Thisprincehasseveralmachinesfixedonwheels,forthecarriageoftreesandothergreatweights。Heoftenbuildshislargestmenofwar,whereofsomeareninefeetlong,inthewoodswherethetimbergrows,andhasthemcarriedontheseenginesthreeorfourhundredyardstothesea。Fivehundredcarpentersandengineerswereimmediatelysetatworktopreparethegreatestenginetheyhad。Itwasaframeofwoodraisedthreeinchesfromtheground,aboutsevenfeetlong,andfourwide,movingupontwenty-twowheels。TheshoutIheardwasuponthearrivalofthisengine,which,itseems,setoutinfourhoursaftermylanding。Itwasbroughtparalleltome,asIlay。Buttheprincipaldifficultywastoraiseandplacemeinthisvehicle。Eightypoles,eachofonefoothigh,wereerectedforthispurpose,andverystrongcords,ofthebignessofpackthread,werefastenedbyhookstomanybandages,whichtheworkmenhadgirtroundmyneck,myhands,mybody,andmylegs。
Ninehundredofthestrongestmenwereemployedtodrawupthesecords,bymanypulleysfastenedonthepoles;andthus,inlessthanthreehours,Iwasraisedandslungintotheengine,andtheretiedfast。AllthisIwastold;for,whiletheoperationwasperforming,Ilayinaprofoundsleep,bytheforceofthatsoporiferousmedicineinfusedintomyliquor。Fifteenhundredoftheemperor'slargesthorses,eachaboutfourinchesandahalfhigh,wereemployedtodrawmetowardsthemetropolis,which,asIsaid,washalfamiledistant。
Aboutfourhoursafterwebeganourjourney,Iawakedbyaveryridiculousaccident;forthecarriagebeingstoppedawhile,toadjustsomethingthatwasoutoforder,twoorthreeoftheyoungnativeshadthecuriositytoseehowIlookedwhenIwasasleep;
theyclimbedupintotheengine,andadvancingverysoftlytomyface,oneofthem,anofficerintheguards,putthesharpendofhishalf-pikeagoodwayupintomyleftnostril,whichtickledmynoselikeastraw,andmademesneezeviolently;whereupontheystoleoffunperceived,anditwasthreeweeksbeforeIknewthecauseofmywakingsosuddenly。Wemadealongmarchtheremainingpartoftheday,and,restedatnightwithfivehundredguardsoneachsideofme,halfwithtorches,andhalfwithbowsandarrows,readytoshootmeifIshouldoffertostir。Thenextmorningatsunrisewecontinuedourmarch,andarrivedwithintwohundredyardsofthecitygatesaboutnoon。Theemperor,andallhiscourt,cameouttomeetus;buthisgreatofficerswouldbynomeanssufferhismajestytoendangerhispersonbymountingonmybody。
Attheplacewherethecarriagestoppedtherestoodanancienttemple,esteemedtobethelargestinthewholekingdom;which,havingbeenpollutedsomeyearsbeforebyanunnaturalmurder,was,accordingtothezealofthosepeople,lookeduponasprofane,andthereforehadbeenappliedtocommonuse,andalltheornamentsandfurniturecarriedaway。InthisedificeitwasdeterminedIshouldlodge。Thegreatgatefrontingtothenorthwasaboutfourfeethigh,andalmosttwofeetwide,throughwhichIcouldeasilycreep。Oneachsideofthegatewasasmallwindow,notabovesixinchesfromtheground:intothatontheleftside,theking'ssmithconveyedfour-scoreandelevenchains,likethosethathangtoalady'swatchinEurope,andalmostaslarge,whichwerelockedtomyleftlegwithsix-and-thirtypadlocks。Overagainstthistemple,ontheothersideofthegreathighway,attwentyfeetdistance,therewasaturretatleastfivefeethigh。Heretheemperorascended,withmanyprincipallordsofhiscourt,tohaveanopportunityofviewingme,asIwastold,forIcouldnotseethem。Itwasreckonedthataboveahundredthousandinhabitantscameoutofthetownuponthesameerrand;and,inspiteofmyguards,I
believetherecouldnotbefewerthantenthousandatseveraltimes,whomountedmybodybythehelpofladders。Butaproclamationwassoonissued,toforbidituponpainofdeath。
Whentheworkmenfounditwasimpossibleformetobreakloose,theycutallthestringsthatboundme;whereuponIroseup,withasmelancholyadispositionaseverIhadinmylife。Butthenoiseandastonishmentofthepeople,atseeingmeriseandwalk,arenottobeexpressed。Thechainsthatheldmyleftlegwereabouttwoyardslong,andgavemenotonlythelibertyofwalkingbackwardsandforwardsinasemicircle,but,beingfixedwithinfourinchesofthegate,allowedmetocreepin,andlieatmyfulllengthinthetemple。
CHAPTERII。
[TheemperorofLilliput,attendedbyseveralofthenobility,comestoseetheauthorinhisconfinement。Theemperor'spersonandhabitdescribed。Learnedmenappointedtoteachtheauthortheirlanguage。Hegainsfavourbyhismilddisposition。Hispocketsaresearched,andhisswordandpistolstakenfromhim。]
WhenIfoundmyselfonmyfeet,Ilookedaboutme,andmustconfessIneverbeheldamoreentertainingprospect。Thecountryaroundappearedlikeacontinuedgarden,andtheenclosedfields,whichweregenerallyfortyfeetsquare,resembledsomanybedsofflowers。Thesefieldswereintermingledwithwoodsofhalfastang,1andthetallesttrees,asIcouldjudge,appearedtobesevenfeethigh。Iviewedthetownonmylefthand,whichlookedlikethepaintedsceneofacityinatheatre。
Ihadbeenforsomehoursextremelypressedbythenecessitiesofnature;whichwasnowonder,itbeingalmosttwodayssinceIhadlastdisburdenedmyself。Iwasundergreatdifficultiesbetweenurgencyandshame。ThebestexpedientIcouldthinkof,wastocreepintomyhouse,whichIaccordinglydid;andshuttingthegateafterme,Iwentasfarasthelengthofmychainwouldsuffer,anddischargedmybodyofthatuneasyload。ButthiswastheonlytimeIwaseverguiltyofsouncleanlyanaction;forwhichIcannotbuthopethecandidreaderwillgivesomeallowance,afterhehasmaturelyandimpartiallyconsideredmycase,andthedistressIwasin。Fromthistimemyconstantpracticewas,assoonasIrose,toperformthatbusinessinopenair,atthefullextentofmychain;andduecarewastakeneverymorningbeforecompanycame,thattheoffensivemattershouldbecarriedoffinwheel-barrows,bytwoservantsappointedforthatpurpose。Iwouldnothavedweltsolonguponacircumstancethat,perhaps,atfirstsight,mayappearnotverymomentous,ifIhadnotthoughtitnecessarytojustifymycharacter,inpointofcleanliness,totheworld;which,Iamtold,someofmymalignershavebeenpleased,uponthisandotheroccasions,tocallinquestion。
Whenthisadventurewasatanend,Icamebackoutofmyhouse,havingoccasionforfreshair。Theemperorwasalreadydescendedfromthetower,andadvancingonhorse-backtowardsme,whichhadliketohavecosthimdear;forthebeast,thoughverywelltrained,yetwhollyunusedtosuchasight,whichappearedasifamountainmovedbeforehim,reareduponitshinderfeet:butthatprince,whoisanexcellenthorseman,kepthisseat,tillhisattendantsranin,andheldthebridle,whilehismajestyhadtimetodismount。Whenhealighted,hesurveyedmeroundwithgreatadmiration;butkeptbeyondthelengthofmychain。Heorderedhiscooksandbutlers,whowerealreadyprepared,togivemevictualsanddrink,whichtheypushedforwardinasortofvehiclesuponwheels,tillIcouldreachthem。Itookthesevehiclesandsoonemptiedthemall;twentyofthemwerefilledwithmeat,andtenwithliquor;eachoftheformeraffordedmetwoorthreegoodmouthfuls;andIemptiedtheliquoroftenvessels,whichwascontainedinearthenvials,intoonevehicle,drinkingitoffatadraught;andsoIdidwiththerest。Theempress,andyoungprincesofthebloodofbothsexes,attendedbymanyladies,satatsomedistanceintheirchairs;butupontheaccidentthathappenedtotheemperor'shorse,theyalighted,andcamenearhisperson,whichIamnowgoingtodescribe。Heistallerbyalmostthebreadthofmynail,thananyofhiscourt;whichaloneisenoughtostrikeanaweintothebeholders。
Hisfeaturesarestrongandmasculine,withanAustrianlipandarchednose,hiscomplexionolive,hiscountenanceerect,hisbodyandlimbswellproportioned,allhismotionsgraceful,andhisdeportmentmajestic。Hewasthenpasthisprime,beingtwenty-eightyearsandthreequartersold,ofwhichhehadreignedaboutseveningreatfelicity,andgenerallyvictorious。
Forthebetterconvenienceofbeholdinghim,Ilayonmyside,sothatmyfacewasparalleltohis,andhestoodbutthreeyardsoff:however,Ihavehadhimsincemanytimesinmyhand,andthereforecannotbedeceivedinthedescription。Hisdresswasveryplainandsimple,andthefashionofitbetweentheAsiaticandtheEuropean;buthehadonhisheadalighthelmetofgold,adornedwithjewels,andaplumeonthecrest。Heheldhissworddrawninhishandtodefendhimself,ifIshouldhappentobreakloose;itwasalmostthreeincheslong;thehiltandscabbardweregoldenrichedwithdiamonds。Hisvoicewasshrill,butveryclearandarticulate;andIcoulddistinctlyhearitwhenIstoodup。Theladiesandcourtierswereallmostmagnificentlyclad;
sothatthespottheystooduponseemedtoresembleapetticoatspreadupontheground,embroideredwithfiguresofgoldandsilver。Hisimperialmajestyspokeoftentome,andIreturnedanswers:butneitherofuscouldunderstandasyllable。TherewereseveralofhispriestsandlawyerspresentasIconjecturedbytheirhabits,whowerecommandedtoaddressthemselvestome;
andIspoketotheminasmanylanguagesasIhadtheleastsmatteringof,whichwereHighandLowDutch,Latin,French,Spanish,Italian,andLinguaFranca,butalltonopurpose。
Afterabouttwohoursthecourtretired,andIwasleftwithastrongguard,topreventtheimpertinence,andprobablythemaliceoftherabble,whowereveryimpatienttocrowdaboutmeasnearastheydurst;andsomeofthemhadtheimpudencetoshoottheirarrowsatme,asIsatonthegroundbythedoorofmyhouse,whereofoneverynarrowlymissedmylefteye。Butthecolonelorderedsixoftheringleaderstobeseized,andthoughtnopunishmentsoproperastodeliverthemboundintomyhands;
whichsomeofhissoldiersaccordinglydid,pushingthemforwardwiththebutt-endsoftheirpikesintomyreach。Itookthemallinmyrighthand,putfiveofthemintomycoat-pocket;andastothesixth,ImadeacountenanceasifIwouldeathimalive。Thepoormansqualledterribly,andthecolonelandhisofficerswereinmuchpain,especiallywhentheysawmetakeoutmypenknife:
butIsoonputthemoutoffear;for,lookingmildly,andimmediatelycuttingthestringshewasboundwith,Isethimgentlyontheground,andawayheran。Itreatedtherestinthesamemanner,takingthemonebyoneoutofmypocket;andI
observedboththesoldiersandpeoplewerehighlydelightedatthismarkofmyclemency,whichwasrepresentedverymuchtomyadvantageatcourt。
TowardsnightIgotwithsomedifficultyintomyhouse,whereI
layontheground,andcontinuedtodosoaboutafortnight;
duringwhichtime,theemperorgaveorderstohaveabedpreparedforme。Sixhundredbedsofthecommonmeasurewerebroughtincarriages,andworkedupinmyhouse;ahundredandfiftyoftheirbeds,sewntogether,madeupthebreadthandlength;andthesewerefourdouble:which,however,keptmebutveryindifferentlyfromthehardnessofthefloor,thatwasofsmoothstone。Bythesamecomputation,theyprovidedmewithsheets,blankets,andcoverlets,tolerableenoughforonewhohadbeensolonginuredtohardships。
Asthenewsofmyarrivalspreadthroughthekingdom,itbroughtprodigiousnumbersofrich,idle,andcuriouspeopletoseeme;
sothatthevillageswerealmostemptied;andgreatneglectoftillageandhouseholdaffairsmusthaveensued,ifhisimperialmajestyhadnotprovided,byseveralproclamationsandordersofstate,againstthisinconveniency。Hedirectedthatthosewhohadalreadybeheldmeshouldreturnhome,andnotpresumetocomewithinfiftyyardsofmyhouse,withoutlicensefromthecourt;
wherebythesecretariesofstategotconsiderablefees。
Inthemeantimetheemperorheldfrequentcouncils,todebatewhatcourseshouldbetakenwithme;andIwasafterwardsassuredbyaparticularfriend,apersonofgreatquality,whowasasmuchinthesecretasany,thatthecourtwasundermanydifficultiesconcerningme。Theyapprehendedmybreakingloose;
thatmydietwouldbeveryexpensive,andmightcauseafamine。
Sometimestheydeterminedtostarveme;oratleasttoshootmeinthefaceandhandswithpoisonedarrows,whichwouldsoondespatchme;butagaintheyconsidered,thatthestenchofsolargeacarcassmightproduceaplagueinthemetropolis,andprobablyspreadthroughthewholekingdom。Inthemidstoftheseconsultations,severalofficersofthearmywenttothedoorofthegreatcouncil-chamber,andtwoofthembeingadmitted,gaveanaccountofmybehaviourtothesixcriminalsabove-mentioned;
whichmadesofavourableanimpressioninthebreastofhismajestyandthewholeboard,inmybehalf,thatanimperialcommissionwasissuedout,obligingallthevillages,ninehundredyardsroundthecity,todeliverineverymorningsixbeeves,fortysheep,andothervictualsformysustenance;
togetherwithaproportionablequantityofbread,andwine,andotherliquors;fortheduepaymentofwhich,hismajestygaveassignmentsuponhistreasury:——forthisprinceliveschieflyuponhisowndemesnes;seldom,exceptupongreatoccasions,raisinganysubsidiesuponhissubjects,whoareboundtoattendhiminhiswarsattheirownexpense。Anestablishmentwasalsomadeofsixhundredpersonstobemydomestics,whohadboard-wagesallowedfortheirmaintenance,andtentsbuiltforthemveryconvenientlyoneachsideofmydoor。Itwaslikewiseordered,thatthreehundredtailorsshouldmakemeasuitofclothes,afterthefashionofthecountry;thatsixofhismajesty'sgreatestscholarsshouldbeemployedtoinstructmeintheirlanguage;andlastly,thattheemperor'shorses,andthoseofthenobilityandtroopsofguards,shouldbefrequentlyexercisedinmysight,toaccustomthemselvestome。Alltheseordersweredulyputinexecution;andinaboutthreeweeksI
madeagreatprogressinlearningtheirlanguage;duringwhichtimetheemperorfrequentlyhonouredmewithhisvisits,andwaspleasedtoassistmymastersinteachingme。Webeganalreadytoconversetogetherinsomesort;andthefirstwordsIlearnt,weretoexpressmydesire"thathewouldpleasegivememyliberty;"whichIeverydayrepeatedonmyknees。Hisanswer,asIcouldcomprehendit,was,"thatthismustbeaworkoftime,nottobethoughtonwithouttheadviceofhiscouncil,andthatfirstImustLUMOSKELMINPESSODESMARLONEMPOSO;"thatis,swearapeacewithhimandhiskingdom。However,thatIshouldbeusedwithallkindness。Andheadvisedmeto"acquire,bymypatienceanddiscreetbehaviour,thegoodopinionofhimselfandhissubjects。"Hedesired"Iwouldnottakeitill,ifhegaveorderstocertainproperofficerstosearchme;forprobablyI
mightcarryaboutmeseveralweapons,whichmustneedsbedangerousthings,iftheyansweredthebulkofsoprodigiousaperson。"Isaid,"Hismajestyshouldbesatisfied;forIwasreadytostripmyself,andturnupmypocketsbeforehim。"ThisIdeliveredpartinwords,andpartinsigns。Hereplied,"that,bythelawsofthekingdom,Imustbesearchedbytwoofhisofficers;thatheknewthiscouldnotbedonewithoutmyconsentandassistance;andhehadsogoodanopinionofmygenerosityandjustice,astotrusttheirpersonsinmyhands;thatwhatevertheytookfromme,shouldbereturnedwhenIleftthecountry,orpaidforattheratewhichIwouldsetuponthem。"Itookupthetwoofficersinmyhands,putthemfirstintomycoat-pockets,andthenintoeveryotherpocketaboutme,exceptmytwofobs,andanothersecretpocket,whichIhadnomindshouldbesearched,whereinIhadsomelittlenecessariesthatwereofnoconsequencetoanybutmyself。Inoneofmyfobstherewasasilverwatch,andintheotherasmallquantityofgoldinapurse。Thesegentlemen,havingpen,ink,andpaper,aboutthem,madeanexactinventoryofeverythingtheysaw;andwhentheyhaddone,desiredIwouldsetthemdown,thattheymightdeliverittotheemperor。ThisinventoryIafterwardstranslatedintoEnglish,andis,wordforword,asfollows:
"IMPRIMIS,Intherightcoat-pocketofthegreatman-mountain"
forsoIinterpretthewordsQUINBUSFLESTRIN,"afterthestrictestsearch,wefoundonlyonegreatpieceofcoarse-cloth,largeenoughtobeafoot-clothforyourmajesty'schiefroomofstate。Intheleftpocketwesawahugesilverchest,withacoverofthesamemetal,whichwe,thesearchers,werenotabletolift。Wedesireditshouldbeopened,andoneofussteppingintoit,foundhimselfuptothemidleginasortofdust,somepartwhereofflyinguptoourfacessetusbothasneezingforseveraltimestogether。Inhisrightwaistcoat-pocketwefoundaprodigiousbundleofwhitethinsubstances,foldedoneoveranother,aboutthebignessofthreemen,tiedwithastrongcable,andmarkedwithblackfigures;whichwehumblyconceivetobewritings,everyletteralmosthalfaslargeasthepalmofourhands。Inthelefttherewasasortofengine,fromthebackofwhichwereextendedtwentylongpoles,resemblingthepallisadosbeforeyourmajesty'scourt:wherewithweconjecturetheman-mountaincombshishead;forwedidnotalwaystroublehimwithquestions,becausewefounditagreatdifficultytomakehimunderstandus。Inthelargepocket,ontherightsideofhismiddlecover"soItranslatethewordRANFULO,bywhichtheymeantmybreeches,"wesawahollowpillarofiron,aboutthelengthofaman,fastenedtoastrongpieceoftimberlargerthanthepillar;andupononesideofthepillar,werehugepiecesofironstickingout,cutintostrangefigures,whichweknownotwhattomakeof。Intheleftpocket,anotherengineofthesamekind。Inthesmallerpocketontherightside,wereseveralroundflatpiecesofwhiteandredmetal,ofdifferentbulk;someofthewhite,whichseemedtobesilver,weresolargeandheavy,thatmycomradeandIcouldhardlyliftthem。Intheleftpocketweretwoblackpillarsirregularlyshaped:wecouldnot,withoutdifficulty,reachthetopofthem,aswestoodatthebottomofhispocket。Oneofthemwascovered,andseemedallofapiece:
butattheupperendoftheotherthereappearedawhiteroundsubstance,abouttwicethebignessofourheads。Withineachofthesewasenclosedaprodigiousplateofsteel;which,byourorders,weobligedhimtoshowus,becauseweapprehendedtheymightbedangerousengines。Hetookthemoutoftheircases,andtoldus,thatinhisowncountryhispracticewastoshavehisbeardwithoneofthese,andcuthismeatwiththeother。Thereweretwopocketswhichwecouldnotenter:thesehecalledhisfobs;theyweretwolargeslitscutintothetopofhismiddlecover,butsqueezedclosebythepressureofhisbelly。Outoftherightfobhungagreatsilverchain,withawonderfulkindofengineatthebottom。Wedirectedhimtodrawoutwhateverwasattheendofthatchain;whichappearedtobeaglobe,halfsilver,andhalfofsometransparentmetal;for,onthetransparentside,wesawcertainstrangefigurescircularlydrawn,andthoughwecouldtouchthem,tillwefoundourfingersstoppedbythelucidsubstance。Heputthisengineintoourears,whichmadeanincessantnoise,likethatofawater-mill:
andweconjectureitiseithersomeunknownanimal,orthegodthatheworships;butwearemoreinclinedtothelatteropinion,becauseheassuredus,ifweunderstoodhimright,forheexpressedhimselfveryimperfectlythatheseldomdidanythingwithoutconsultingit。Hecalledithisoracle,andsaid,itpointedoutthetimeforeveryactionofhislife。Fromtheleftfobhetookoutanetalmostlargeenoughforafisherman,butcontrivedtoopenandshutlikeapurse,andservedhimforthesameuse:wefoundthereinseveralmassypiecesofyellowmetal,which,iftheyberealgold,mustbeofimmensevalue。
"Havingthus,inobediencetoyourmajesty'scommands,diligentlysearchedallhispockets,weobservedagirdleabouthiswaistmadeofthehideofsomeprodigiousanimal,fromwhich,ontheleftside,hungaswordofthelengthoffivemen;andontheright,abagorpouchdividedintotwocells,eachcellcapableofholdingthreeofyourmajesty'ssubjects。Inoneofthesecellswereseveralglobes,orballs,ofamostponderousmetal,aboutthebignessofourheads,andrequiringastronghandtoliftthem:theothercellcontainedaheapofcertainblackgrains,butofnogreatbulkorweight,forwecouldholdabovefiftyoftheminthepalmsofourhands。
"Thisisanexactinventoryofwhatwefoundaboutthebodyoftheman-mountain,whouseduswithgreatcivility,andduerespecttoyourmajesty'scommission。Signedandsealedonthefourthdayoftheeighty-ninthmoonofyourmajesty'sauspiciousreign。
CLEFRINFRELOCK,MARSIFRELOCK。"
Whenthisinventorywasreadovertotheemperor,hedirectedme,althoughinverygentleterms,todeliveruptheseveralparticulars。Hefirstcalledformyscimitar,whichItookout,scabbardandall。Inthemeantimeheorderedthreethousandofhischoicesttroopswhothenattendedhimtosurroundmeatadistance,withtheirbowsandarrowsjustreadytodischarge;butIdidnotobserveit,formineeyeswerewhollyfixeduponhismajesty。Hethendesiredmetodrawmyscimitar,which,althoughithadgotsomerustbytheseawater,was,inmostparts,exceedingbright。Ididso,andimmediatelyallthetroopsgaveashoutbetweenterrorandsurprise;forthesunshoneclear,andthereflectiondazzledtheireyes,asIwavedthescimitartoandfroinmyhand。Hismajesty,whoisamostmagnanimousprince,waslessdauntedthanIcouldexpect:heorderedmetoreturnitintothescabbard,andcastitonthegroundasgentlyasI
could,aboutsixfeetfromtheendofmychain。Thenextthinghedemandedwasoneofthehollowironpillars;bywhichhemeantmypocketpistols。Idrewitout,andathisdesire,aswellasIcould,expressedtohimtheuseofit;andchargingitonlywithpowder,which,bytheclosenessofmypouch,happenedtoescapewettingintheseaaninconvenienceagainstwhichallprudentmarinerstakespecialcaretoprovide,Ifirstcautionedtheemperornottobeafraid,andthenIletitoffintheair。
Theastonishmentherewasmuchgreaterthanatthesightofmyscimitar。Hundredsfelldownasiftheyhadbeenstruckdead;
andeventheemperor,althoughhestoodhisground,couldnotrecoverhimselfforsometime。IdeliveredupbothmypistolsinthesamemannerasIhaddonemyscimitar,andthenmypouchofpowderandbullets;begginghimthattheformermightbekeptfromfire,foritwouldkindlewiththesmallestspark,andblowuphisimperialpalaceintotheair。Ilikewisedeliveredupmywatch,whichtheemperorwasverycurioustosee,andcommandedtwoofhistallestyeomenoftheguardstobearitonapoleupontheirshoulders,asdraymeninEnglanddoabarrelofale。Hewasamazedatthecontinualnoiseitmade,andthemotionoftheminute-hand,whichhecouldeasilydiscern;fortheirsightismuchmoreacutethanours:heaskedtheopinionsofhislearnedmenaboutit,whichwerevariousandremote,asthereadermaywellimaginewithoutmyrepeating;althoughindeedIcouldnotveryperfectlyunderstandthem。Ithengaveupmysilverandcoppermoney,mypurse,withninelargepiecesofgold,andsomesmallerones;myknifeandrazor,mycombandsilversnuff-box,myhandkerchiefandjournal-book。Myscimitar,pistols,andpouch,wereconveyedincarriagestohismajesty'sstores;buttherestofmygoodswerereturnedme。
IhadasIbeforeobserved,oneprivatepocket,whichescapedtheirsearch,whereintherewasapairofspectacleswhichI
sometimesusefortheweaknessofmineeyes,apocketperspective,andsomeotherlittleconveniences;which,beingofnoconsequencetotheemperor,Ididnotthinkmyselfboundinhonourtodiscover,andIapprehendedtheymightbelostorspoiledifIventuredthemoutofmypossession。
CHAPTERIII。
[Theauthordivertstheemperor,andhisnobilityofbothsexes,inaveryuncommonmanner。ThediversionsofthecourtofLilliputdescribed。Theauthorhashislibertygrantedhimuponcertainconditions。]
Mygentlenessandgoodbehaviourhadgainedsofarontheemperorandhiscourt,andindeeduponthearmyandpeopleingeneral,thatIbegantoconceivehopesofgettingmylibertyinashorttime。Itookallpossiblemethodstocultivatethisfavourabledisposition。Thenativescame,bydegrees,tobelessapprehensiveofanydangerfromme。Iwouldsometimesliedown,andletfiveorsixofthemdanceonmyhand;andatlasttheboysandgirlswouldventuretocomeandplayathide-and-seekinmyhair。Ihadnowmadeagoodprogressinunderstandingandspeakingthelanguage。Theemperorhadamindonedaytoentertainmewithseveralofthecountryshows,whereintheyexceedallnationsIhaveknown,bothfordexterityandmagnificence。Iwasdivertedwithnonesomuchasthatoftherope-dancers,performeduponaslenderwhitethread,extendedabouttwofeet,andtwelveinchesfromtheground。UponwhichI
shalldesireliberty,withthereader'spatience,toenlargealittle。
Thisdiversionisonlypractisedbythosepersonswhoarecandidatesforgreatemployments,andhighfavouratcourt。Theyaretrainedinthisartfromtheiryouth,andarenotalwaysofnoblebirth,orliberaleducation。Whenagreatofficeisvacant,eitherbydeathordisgracewhichoftenhappens,fiveorsixofthosecandidatespetitiontheemperortoentertainhismajestyandthecourtwithadanceontherope;andwhoeverjumpsthehighest,withoutfalling,succeedsintheoffice。Veryoftenthechiefministersthemselvesarecommandedtoshowtheirskill,andtoconvincetheemperorthattheyhavenotlosttheirfaculty。Flimnap,thetreasurer,isallowedtocutacaperonthestraightrope,atleastaninchhigherthananyotherlordinthewholeempire。Ihaveseenhimdothesummersetseveraltimestogether,uponatrencherfixedonaropewhichisnothickerthanacommonpack-threadinEngland。MyfriendReldresal,principalsecretaryforprivateaffairs,is,inmyopinion,ifI
amnotpartial,thesecondafterthetreasurer;therestofthegreatofficersaremuchuponapar。
Thesediversionsareoftenattendedwithfatalaccidents,whereofgreatnumbersareonrecord。Imyselfhaveseentwoorthreecandidatesbreakalimb。Butthedangerismuchgreater,whentheministersthemselvesarecommandedtoshowtheirdexterity;
for,bycontendingtoexcelthemselvesandtheirfellows,theystrainsofarthatthereishardlyoneofthemwhohasnotreceivedafall,andsomeofthemtwoorthree。Iwasassuredthat,ayearortwobeforemyarrival,Flimnapwouldinfalliblyhavebrokehisneck,ifoneoftheking'scushions,thataccidentallylayontheground,hadnotweakenedtheforceofhisfall。
Thereislikewiseanotherdiversion,whichisonlyshownbeforetheemperorandempress,andfirstminister,uponparticularoccasions。Theemperorlaysonthetablethreefinesilkenthreadsofsixincheslong;oneisblue,theotherred,andthethirdgreen。Thesethreadsareproposedasprizesforthosepersonswhomtheemperorhasamindtodistinguishbyapeculiarmarkofhisfavour。Theceremonyisperformedinhismajesty'sgreatchamberofstate,wherethecandidatesaretoundergoatrialofdexterityverydifferentfromtheformer,andsuchasI
havenotobservedtheleastresemblanceofinanyothercountryoftheneworoldworld。Theemperorholdsastickinhishands,bothendsparalleltothehorizon,whilethecandidatesadvancing,onebyone,sometimesleapoverthestick,sometimescreepunderit,backwardandforward,severaltimes,accordingasthestickisadvancedordepressed。Sometimestheemperorholdsoneendofthestick,andhisfirstministertheother;sometimestheministerhasitentirelytohimself。Whoeverperformshispartwithmostagility,andholdsoutthelongestinleapingandcreeping,isrewardedwiththeblue-colouredsilk;theredisgiventothenext,andthegreentothethird,whichtheyallweargirttwiceroundaboutthemiddle;andyouseefewgreatpersonsaboutthiscourtwhoarenotadornedwithoneofthesegirdles。
Thehorsesofthearmy,andthoseoftheroyalstables,havingbeendailyledbeforeme,werenolongershy,butwouldcomeuptomyveryfeetwithoutstarting。Theriderswouldleapthemovermyhand,asIhelditontheground;andoneoftheemperor'shuntsmen,uponalargecourser,tookmyfoot,shoeandall;whichwasindeedaprodigiousleap。Ihadthegoodfortunetodiverttheemperoronedayafteraveryextraordinarymanner。
Idesiredhewouldorderseveralsticksoftwofeethigh,andthethicknessofanordinarycane,tobebroughtme;whereuponhismajestycommandedthemasterofhiswoodstogivedirectionsaccordingly;andthenextmorningsixwoodmenarrivedwithasmanycarriages,drawnbyeighthorsestoeach。Itooknineofthesesticks,andfixingthemfirmlyinthegroundinaquadrangularfigure,twofeetandahalfsquare,Itookfourothersticks,andtiedthemparallelateachcorner,abouttwofeetfromtheground;thenIfastenedmyhandkerchieftotheninesticksthatstooderect;andextendeditonallsides,tillitwastightasthetopofadrum;andthefourparallelsticks,risingaboutfiveincheshigherthanthehandkerchief,servedasledgesoneachside。WhenIhadfinishedmywork,Idesiredtheemperortoletatroopofhisbesthorsestwenty-fourinnumber,comeandexerciseuponthisplain。Hismajestyapprovedoftheproposal,andItookthemup,onebyone,inmyhands,readymountedandarmed,withtheproperofficerstoexercisethem。Assoonastheygotintoordertheydividedintotwoparties,performedmockskirmishes,dischargedbluntarrows,drewtheirswords,fledandpursued,attackedandretired,andinshortdiscoveredthebestmilitarydisciplineIeverbeheld。Theparallelstickssecuredthemandtheirhorsesfromfallingoverthestage;andtheemperorwassomuchdelighted,thatheorderedthisentertainmenttoberepeatedseveraldays,andoncewaspleasedtobeliftedupandgivethewordofcommand;andwithgreatdifficultypersuadedeventheempressherselftoletmeholdherinherclosechairwithintwoyardsofthestage,whenshewasabletotakeafullviewofthewholeperformance。Itwasmygoodfortune,thatnoillaccidenthappenedintheseentertainments;onlyonceafieryhorse,thatbelongedtooneofthecaptains,pawingwithhishoof,struckaholeinmyhandkerchief,andhisfootslipping,heoverthrewhisriderandhimself;butIimmediatelyrelievedthemboth,andcoveringtheholewithonehand,Isetdownthetroopwiththeother,inthesamemannerasItookthemup。Thehorsethatfellwasstrainedintheleftshoulder,buttheridergotnohurt;andIrepairedmyhandkerchiefaswellasIcould:however,Iwouldnottrusttothestrengthofitanymore,insuchdangerousenterprises。
AbouttwoorthreedaysbeforeIwassetatliberty,asIwasentertainingthecourtwiththiskindoffeat,therearrivedanexpresstoinformhismajesty,thatsomeofhissubjects,ridingneartheplacewhereIwasfirsttakenup,hadseenagreatblacksubstancelyingonthearound,veryoddlyshaped,extendingitsedgesround,aswideashismajesty'sbedchamber,andrisingupinthemiddleashighasaman;thatitwasnolivingcreature,astheyatfirstapprehended,foritlayonthegrasswithoutmotion;andsomeofthemhadwalkedrounditseveraltimes;that,bymountinguponeachother'sshoulders,theyhadgottothetop,whichwasflatandeven,and,stampinguponit,theyfoundthatitwashollowwithin;thattheyhumblyconceiveditmightbesomethingbelongingtotheman-mountain;andifhismajestypleased,theywouldundertaketobringitwithonlyfivehorses。
Ipresentlyknewwhattheymeant,andwasgladathearttoreceivethisintelligence。Itseems,uponmyfirstreachingtheshoreafterourshipwreck,Iwasinsuchconfusion,thatbeforeI
cametotheplacewhereIwenttosleep,myhat,whichIhadfastenedwithastringtomyheadwhileIwasrowing,andhadstuckonallthetimeIwasswimming,felloffafterIcametoland;thestring,asIconjecture,breakingbysomeaccident,whichIneverobserved,butthoughtmyhathadbeenlostatsea。
Ientreatedhisimperialmajestytogiveordersitmightbebroughttomeassoonaspossible,describingtohimtheuseandthenatureofit:andthenextdaythewaggonersarrivedwithit,butnotinaverygoodcondition;theyhadboredtwoholesinthebrim,withinaninchandhalfoftheedge,andfastenedtwohooksintheholes;thesehooksweretiedbyalongcordtotheharness,andthusmyhatwasdraggedalongforabovehalfanEnglishmile;but,thegroundinthatcountrybeingextremelysmoothandlevel,itreceivedlessdamagethanIexpected。
Twodaysafterthisadventure,theemperor,havingorderedthatpartofhisarmywhichquartersinandabouthismetropolis,tobeinreadiness,tookafancyofdivertinghimselfinaverysingularmanner。HedesiredIwouldstandlikeaColossus,withmylegsasfarasunderasIconvenientlycould。Hethencommandedhisgeneralwhowasanoldexperiencedleader,andagreatpatronofminetodrawupthetroopsincloseorder,andmarchthemunderme;thefootbytwenty-fourabreast,andthehorsebysixteen,withdrumsbeating,coloursflying,andpikesadvanced。Thisbodyconsistedofthreethousandfoot,andathousandhorse。Hismajestygaveorders,uponpainofdeath,thateverysoldierinhismarchshouldobservethestrictestdecencywithregardtomyperson;whichhowevercouldnotpreventsomeoftheyoungerofficersfromturninguptheireyesastheypassedunderme:and,toconfessthetruth,mybreecheswereatthattimeinsoillacondition,thattheyaffordedsomeopportunitiesforlaughterandadmiration。
Ihadsentsomanymemorialsandpetitionsformyliberty,thathismajestyatlengthmentionedthematter,firstinthecabinet,andtheninafullcouncil;whereitwasopposedbynone,exceptSkyreshBolgolam,whowaspleased,withoutanyprovocation,tobemymortalenemy。Butitwascarriedagainsthimbythewholeboard,andconfirmedbytheemperor。ThatministerwasGALBET,oradmiraloftherealm,verymuchinhismaster'sconfidence,andapersonwellversedinaffairs,butofamoroseandsourcomplexion。However,hewasatlengthpersuadedtocomply;butprevailedthatthearticlesandconditionsuponwhichIshouldbesetfree,andtowhichImustswear,shouldbedrawnupbyhimself。ThesearticleswerebroughttomebySkyreshBolgolaminpersonattendedbytwounder-secretaries,andseveralpersonsofdistinction。Aftertheywereread,Iwasdemandedtosweartotheperformanceofthem;firstinthemannerofmyowncountry,andafterwardsinthemethodprescribedbytheirlaws;whichwas,toholdmyrightfootinmylefthand,andtoplacethemiddlefingerofmyrighthandonthecrownofmyhead,andmythumbonthetipofmyrightear。Butbecausethereadermaybecurioustohavesomeideaofthestyleandmannerofexpressionpeculiartothatpeople,aswellastoknowthearticleuponwhichI
recoveredmyliberty,Ihavemadeatranslationofthewholeinstrument,wordforword,asnearasIwasable,whichIhereoffertothepublic。
"GolbastoMomaremEvlameGurdiloShefinMullyUllyGue,mostmightyEmperorofLilliput,delightandterroroftheuniverse,whosedominionsextendfivethousandBLUSTRUGSabouttwelvemilesincircumferencetotheextremitiesoftheglobe;monarchofallmonarchs,tallerthanthesonsofmen;whosefeetpressdowntothecentre,andwhoseheadstrikesagainstthesun;atwhosenodtheprincesoftheearthshaketheirknees;pleasantasthespring,comfortableasthesummer,fruitfulasautumn,dreadfulaswinter:hismostsublimemajestyproposestotheman-mountain,latelyarrivedatourcelestialdominions,thefollowingarticles,which,byasolemnoath,heshallbeobligedtoperform:——
"1st,Theman-mountainshallnotdepartfromourdominions,withoutourlicenseunderourgreatseal。
"2d,Heshallnotpresumetocomeintoourmetropolis,withoutourexpressorder;atwhichtime,theinhabitantsshallhavetwohourswarningtokeepwithindoors。
"3d,Thesaidman-mountainshallconfinehiswalkstoourprincipalhighroads,andnotoffertowalk,orliedown,inameadoworfieldofcorn。
"4th,Ashewalksthesaidroads,heshalltaketheutmostcarenottotrampleuponthebodiesofanyofourlovingsubjects,theirhorses,orcarriages,nortakeanyofoursubjectsintohishandswithouttheirownconsent。
"5th,Ifanexpressrequiresextraordinarydespatch,theman-mountainshallbeobligedtocarry,inhispocket,themessengerandhorseasixdaysjourney,onceineverymoon,andreturnthesaidmessengerbackifsorequiredsafetoourimperialpresence。
"6th,HeshallbeourallyagainstourenemiesintheislandofBlefuscu,anddohisutmosttodestroytheirfleet,whichisnowpreparingtoinvadeus。
"7th,Thatthesaidman-mountainshall,athistimesofleisure,beaidingandassistingtoourworkmen,inhelpingtoraisecertaingreatstones,towardscoveringthewalloftheprincipalpark,andotherourroyalbuildings。
"8th,Thatthesaidman-mountainshall,intwomoons'time,deliverinanexactsurveyofthecircumferenceofourdominions,byacomputationofhisownpacesroundthecoast。
"Lastly,That,uponhissolemnoathtoobservealltheabovearticles,thesaidman-mountainshallhaveadailyallowanceofmeatanddrinksufficientforthesupportof1724ofoursubjects,withfreeaccesstoourroyalperson,andothermarksofourfavour。GivenatourpalaceatBelfaborac,thetwelfthdayoftheninety-firstmoonofourreign。"
Isworeandsubscribedtothesearticleswithgreatcheerfulnessandcontent,althoughsomeofthemwerenotsohonourableasI
couldhavewished;whichproceededwhollyfromthemaliceofSkyreshBolgolam,thehigh-admiral:whereuponmychainswereimmediatelyunlocked,andIwasatfullliberty。Theemperorhimself,inperson,didmethehonourtobebyatthewholeceremony。Imademyacknowledgementsbyprostratingmyselfathismajesty'sfeet:buthecommandedmetorise;andaftermanygraciousexpressions,which,toavoidthecensureofvanity,I
shallnotrepeat,headded,"thathehopedIshouldproveausefulservant,andwelldeserveallthefavourshehadalreadyconferreduponme,ormightdoforthefuture。"
Thereadermaypleasetoobserve,that,inthelastarticleoftherecoveryofmyliberty,theemperorstipulatestoallowmeaquantityofmeatanddrinksufficientforthesupportof1724
Lilliputians。Sometimeafter,askingafriendatcourthowtheycametofixonthatdeterminatenumber,hetoldmethathismajesty'smathematicians,havingtakentheheightofmybodybythehelpofaquadrant,andfindingittoexceedtheirsintheproportionoftwelvetoone,theyconcludedfromthesimilarityoftheirbodies,thatminemustcontainatleast1724oftheirs,andconsequentlywouldrequireasmuchfoodaswasnecessarytosupportthatnumberofLilliputians。Bywhichthereadermayconceiveanideaoftheingenuityofthatpeople,aswellastheprudentandexacteconomyofsogreataprince。