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Gulliver's Travels
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
Into Several Remote Regions of the World
by
JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D.
Edited with Introduction and Notes by Thomas M. Balliet Superintendent
of Schools, Springfield, Mass.
With Thirty-Eight Illustrations and a Map
PART I
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
PART II
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
[Illustration: "HE COMMANDED HIS GENERALS TO DRAW UP THE TROOPS." P.
42.]
D.C. Heath & Co., Publishers Boston New York Chicago
1900
PREFACE.
And lo! the book, from all its end beguiled, A harmless wonder to some
happy child.
LORD LYTTON.
Gulliver's Travels was published in 1726; and, although it was by no
means intended for them, the book was soon appropriated by the
children, who have ever since continued to regard it as one of the
most delightful of their story books. They cannot comprehend the
occasion which provoked the book nor appreciate the satire which
underlies the narrative, but they delight in the wonderful adventures,
and wander full of open-eyed astonishment into the new worlds through
which the vivid and logically accurate imagination of the author so
personally conducts them. And there is a meaning and a moral in the
stories of the Voyages to Lilliput and Brobdingnag which is entirely
apart from the political satire they are intended to convey, a meaning
and a moral which the youngest child who can read it will not fail to
seize, and upon which it is scarcely necessary for the teacher to
comment.
For young children the book combines in a measure the interest of
_Robinson Crusoe_ and that of the fairy tale; its style is objective,
the narrative is simple, and the matter appeals strongly to the
childish imagination. For more mature boys and girls and for adults
the interest is found chiefly in the keen satire which underlies the
narrative. It appeals, therefore, to a very wide range of intelligence
and taste, and can be read with profit by the child of ten and by the
young man or woman of mature years.
This edition is practically a reprint of the original (1726-27). The
punctuation and capitalization have been modernized, some archaisms
changed, and the paragraphs have been made more frequent. A few
passages have been omitted which would offend modern ears and are
unsuitable for children's reading, and some foot-notes have been added
explaining obsolete words and obscure expressions.
As a reading book in school which must be adapted to the average mind,
these stories will be found suitable for classes from the fifth or
sixth school year to the highest grade of the grammar school.
THOMAS M. BALLIET.
CONTENTS.
VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
CHAPTER I.
The Author gives some account of himself and family--His first
inducements to travel--He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life--Gets
safe on shore in the country of Lilliput--Is made a prisoner, and
carried up the country
CHAPTER II.
The emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the nobility, comes to
see the Author in his confinement--The emperor's person and habits
described--Learned men appointed to teach the Author their
language--He gains favor by his mild disposition--His pockets are
searched, and his sword and pistols taken from him
CHAPTER III.
The Author diverts the emperor, and his nobility of both sexes, in a
very uncommon manner--The diversions of the court of Lilliput
described--The Author has his liberty granted him upon certain
conditions
CHAPTER IV.
Mildendo, the metropolis of Lilliput, described, together with the
emperor's palace--A conversation between the Author and a principal
secretary concerning the affairs of that empire--The Author's offers
to serve the emperor in his wars
CHAPTER V.
The Author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion--A
high title of honor is conferred upon him--Ambassadors arrive from the
emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace
CHAPTER VI.
Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their learning, laws, and customs; the
manner of educating their children--The Author's way of living in that
country--His vindication of a great lady
CHAPTER VII.
The Author, being informed of a design to accuse him of high treason,
makes his escape to Blefuscu--His reception there
CHAPTER VIII.
The Author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and
after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country
* * * * *
LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.
"He commanded his generals to draw up the troops" Map of Lilliput and
Blefuscu "I lay all this while ... in great uneasiness" "Producing his
credentials" "These gentlemen made an exact inventory" "Her imperial
majesty was pleased to smile very graciously upon me" "And created me
a _nardac_ upon the spot" "Three hundred tailors were employed" "The
happiness ... of dining with me" "He desired I would hear him with
patience" "I set sail ... at six in the morning"
AND TWENTY-THREE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT.
CONTENTS
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
CHAPTER I.
A great storm described; the long-boat sent to fetch water, the Author
goes with it to discover the country--He is left on shore, is seized
by one of the natives, and carried to a farmer's house--His reception
there, with several accidents that happened there--A description of
the inhabitants
CHAPTER II.
A description of the farmer's daughter--The Author carried to a
market-town, and then to the metropolis--The particulars of his
journey
CHAPTER III.
The Author sent for to court--The queen buys him of his master the
farmer, and presents him to the king--He disputes with his majesty's
great scholars--An apartment at court provided for the Author--He is
in high favor with the queen--He stands up for the honor of his own
country--He quarrels with the queen's dwarf
CHAPTER IV.
The country described--A proposal for correcting modern maps--The
king's palace, and some account of the metropolis--The Author's way of
travelling--The chief temple described
CHAPTER V.
Several adventures that happened to the Author--The execution of a
criminal--The Author shows his skill in navigation
CHAPTER VI.
Several contrivances of the Author to please the king and queen--He
shows his skill in music--The king inquires into the state of Europe,
which the Author relates to him--The king's observations thereon
CHAPTER VII.
The Author's love of his country--He makes a proposal of much
advantage to the king, which is rejected--The king's great ignorance
in politics--The learning of that country very imperfect and
confined--Their laws, and military affairs, and in the state
CHAPTER VIII.
The king and queen make a progress to the frontiers--The Author
attends them--The manner in which he leaves the country very
particularly related--He returns to England
NOTE
* * * * *
LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.
"They concluded I was only Relplum Sealcath" Map of Brobdingnag "A
huge creature walking ... on the sea" "Whereupon the huge creature
trod short" "I drew my hanger to defend myself" "I called her my
Glumdalclitch" "Flourished after the manner of fencers in England"
"This gracious princess held out her little finger" "She carried me to
the king" "I could only revenge myself by calling him brother" "The
smaller birds did not appear to be at all afraid of me" "Gave me a
gale with their fans" "The most violent exercise I ever underwent"
"You have made an admirable panegyric" "She had some foreboding"
"Somebody calling in the English tongue" "My daughter kneeled, but I
could not see her"
AND TWELVE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT.
THE FIRST PUBLISHER TO THE READER.
The author of these travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my ancient and
intimate friend; there is likewise some relation between us on the
mother's side. About three years ago, Mr. Gulliver, growing weary of
the concourse of curious people coming to him at his house in
Redriff,[1] made a small purchase of land, with a convenient house,
near Newark, in Nottinghamshire, his native county, where he now lives
retired, yet in good esteem among his neighbors.
Although Mr. Gulliver was born in Nottinghamshire, where his father
dwelt, yet I have heard him say his family came from Oxfordshire; to
confirm which, I have observed in the churchyard at Banbury, in that
county, several tombs and monuments of the Gullivers. Before he
quitted Redriff he left the custody of the following papers in my
hands, with the liberty to dispose of them as I should think fit. I
have carefully perused them three times. The style is very plain and
simple, and the only fault I find is, that the author, after the
manner of travellers, is a little too circumstantial. There is an air
of truth apparent through the whole; and, indeed, the author was so
distinguished for his veracity, that it became a sort of proverb among
his neighbors at Redriff, when any one affirmed a thing, to say it was
as true as if Mr. Gulliver had spoken it.
By the advice of several worthy persons, to whom, with the author's
permission, I communicated these papers, I now venture to send them
into the world, hoping they may be, at least for some time, a better
entertainment than the common scribbles about politics and party.
This volume would have been at least twice as large if I had not made
bold to strike out innumerable passages relating to the winds and
tides, as well as to the variations and bearings in the several
voyages; together with the minute description of the management of the
ship in the storms, in the style of sailors; likewise the account of
longitudes and latitudes; wherein I have reason to apprehend that Mr.
Gulliver may be a little dissatisfied; but I was resolved to fit the
work as much as possible to the general capacity of readers. However,
if my own ignorance in sea affairs shall have led me to commit some
mistakes, I alone am answerable for them, and if any traveller hath a
curiosity to see the whole work at large, as it came from the hand of
the author, I will be ready to gratify him.
As for any farther particulars relating to the author, the reader will
receive satisfaction from the first pages of the book.
RICHARD SYMPSON.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
TRAVELS.
PART I.
_A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT_.
CHAPTER I.
THE AUTHOR GIVES SOME ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND FAMILY: HIS FIRST
INDUCEMENTS TO TRAVEL. HE IS SHIPWRECKED, AND SWIMS FOR HIS LIFE; GETS
SAFE ASHORE IN THE COUNTRY OF LILLIPUT; IS MADE A PRISONER, AND
CARRIED UP THE COUNTRY.
My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire; I was the third of
five sons. He sent me to Emmanuel College in Cambridge at fourteen
years old, where I resided three years, and applied myself close to my
studies; but the charge of maintaining me, although I had a very
scanty allowance, being too great for a narrow fortune, I was bound
apprentice to Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom
I continued four years; and my father now and then sending me small
sums of money, I laid them out in learning navigation, and other parts
of the mathematics useful to those who intend to travel, as I always
believed it would be, some time or other, my fortune to do. When I
left Mr. Bates, I went down to my father, where, by the assistance of
him, and my uncle John and some other relations, I got forty
pounds,[2] and a promise of thirty pounds a year, to maintain me at
Leyden. There I studied physic two years and seven months, knowing it
would be useful in long voyages.
Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master,
Mr. Bates, to be surgeon to the "Swallow," Captain Abraham Pannell,
commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a
voyage or two into the Levant,[3] and some other parts. When I came
back I resolved to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master,
encouraged me, and by him I was recommended to several patients. I
took part of a small house in the Old Jewry; and, being advised to
alter my condition, I married Mrs. Mary Burton,[4] second daughter to
Mr. Edmund Burton, hosier in Newgate Street, with whom I received four
hundred pounds for a portion.
But my good master, Bates, dying in two years after, and I having few
friends, my business began to fail; for my conscience would not suffer
me to imitate the bad practice of too many among my brethren. Having,
therefore, consulted with my wife, and some of my acquaintance, I
determined to go again to sea. I was surgeon successively in two
ships, and made several voyages, for six years, to the East and West
Indies, by which I got some addition to my fortune. My hours of
leisure I spent in reading the best authors, ancient and modern, being
always provided with a good number of books; and, when I was ashore,
in observing the manners and dispositions of the people, as well as
learning their language, wherein I had a great facility, by the
strength of my memory.
The last of these voyages not proving very fortunate, I grew weary of
the sea, and intended to stay at home with my wife and family. I
removed from the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, and from thence to Wapping,
hoping to get business among the sailors; but it would not turn to
account. After three years' expectation that things would mend, I
accepted an advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master
of the "Antelope," who was making a voyage to the South Sea.[5] We set
sail from Bristol, May 4, 1699; and our voyage at first was very
prosperous.
It would not be proper, for some reasons, to trouble the reader with
the particulars of our adventures in those seas. Let it suffice to
inform him, that, in our passage from thence to the East Indies, we
were driven by a violent storm, to the northwest of Van Diemen's
Land.[6]
By an observation, we found ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees
and 2 minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate labor
and ill food; the rest were in a very weak condition.
On the fifth of November, which was the beginning of summer in those
parts, the weather being very hazy, the seamen spied a rock within
half a cable's length of the ship;[7] but the wind was so strong, that
we were driven directly upon it, and immediately split. Six of the
crew, of whom I was one, having let down the boat into the sea, made a
shift to get clear of the ship and the rock. We rowed, by my
computation, about three leagues, till we were able to work no longer,
being already spent with labor, while we were in the ship. We,
therefore, trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves; and, in about
half an hour, the boat was overset by a sudden flurry from the north.
What became of my companions in the boat, as well as those who escaped
on the rock, or were left in the vessel, I cannot tell, but conclude
they were all lost.
For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward
by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom;
but, when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no longer, I found
myself within my depth; and, by this time, the storm was much abated.
The declivity was so small that I walked near a mile before I got to
the shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening.
I then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any
sign of houses or inhabitants; at least, I was in so weak a condition,
that I did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and
the heat of the weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I drank
as I left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down
on the grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder
than ever I remembered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned,
about nine hours; for, when I awaked, it was just daylight. I
attempted to rise, but was not able to stir: for as I happened to lie
on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each
side to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down
in the same manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures across
my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs. I could only look upwards, the
sun began to grow hot, and the light offended my eyes.
I heard a confused noise about me; but, in the posture I lay, could
see nothing except the sky. In a little time, I felt something alive
moving on my left leg, which, advancing gently forward over my breast,
came almost up to my chin; when, bending my eyes downward, as much as
I could, I perceived it to be a human creature, not six inches high,
with a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back. In the
meantime I felt at least forty more of the same kind (as I
conjectured) following the first.
I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so loud that they all ran
back in a fright; and some of them, as I was afterwards told, were
hurt with the falls they got by leaping from my sides upon the ground.
However, they soon returned, and one of them, who ventured so far as
to get a full sight of my face, lifting up his hands and eyes by way
of admiration, cried out in a shrill, but distinct voice--_Hekinah
degul!_ the others repeated the same words several times, but I then
knew not what they meant.
I lay all this while, as the reader may believe, in great uneasiness.
At length, struggling to get loose, I had the fortune to break the
strings, and wrench out the pegs, that fastened my left arm to the
ground; for by lifting it up to my face, I discovered the methods they
had taken to bind me, and, at the same time, with a violent pull,
which gave me excessive pain, I a little loosened the strings that
tied down my hair on the left side, so that I was just able to turn my
head about two inches.
But the creatures ran off a second time, before I could seize them;
whereupon there was a great shout in a very shrill accent, and after
it ceased, I heard one of them cry aloud, _Tolgo phonac_; when, in an
instant, I felt above an hundred arrows discharged on my left hand,
which pricked me like so many needles; and, besides, they shot another
flight into the air, as we do bombs in Europe, whereof many, I
suppose, fell on my body (though I felt them not), and some on my
face, which I immediately covered with my left hand.
When this shower of arrows was over, I fell a-groaning with grief and
pain, and then striving again to get loose, they discharged another
volley larger than the first, and some of them attempted with spears
to stick me in the sides; but by good luck I had on me a buff
jerkin,[8] which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent
method to lie still, and my design was to continue so till night,
when, my left hand being already loose, I could easily free myself;
and as for the inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match
for the greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of
the same size with him that I saw.
[Illustration: "I LAY ALL THIS WHILE IN GREAT UNEASINESS" P. 8.]
But fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the people observed I was
quiet, they discharged no more arrows: but, by the noise I heard, I
knew their numbers increased; and about four yards from me, over
against my right ear, I heard a knocking for above an hour, like that
of people at work; when, turning my head that way, as well as the pegs
and strings would permit me, I saw a stage erected, about a foot and a
half from the ground, capable of holding four of the inhabitants, with
two or three ladders to mount it; from whence one of them, who seemed
to be a person of quality, made me a long speech, whereof I understood
not one syllable.
[Illustration]
But I should have mentioned, that before the principal person began
his oration, he cried out three times, _Langro debul san_ (these
words, and the former, were afterwards repeated, and explained to me).
Whereupon immediately about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the
strings that fastened the left side of my head, which gave me the
liberty of turning it to the right, and of observing the person and
gesture of him that was to speak. He appeared to be of a middle age,
and taller than any of the other three who attended him, whereof one
was a page that held up his train, and seemed to be somewhat longer
than my middle finger; the other two stood one on each side, to
support him. He acted every part of an orator, and I could observe
many periods of threatenings, and others of promises, pity, and
kindness.
I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, lifting
up my left hand, and both my eyes, to the sun, as calling him for a
witness: and, being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a
morsel for some hours before I left the ship, I found the demands of
nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear showing my
impatience (perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by putting my
finger frequently to my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The
_hurgo_ (for so they call a great lord, as I afterwards learned)
understood me very well. He descended from the stage, and commanded
that several ladders should be applied to my sides; on which above a
hundred of the inhabitants mounted, and walked towards my mouth, laden
with baskets full of meat, which had been provided and sent thither by
the king's orders, upon the first intelligence he received of me.
I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not
distinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders, legs, and loins,
shaped like those of mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than
the wings of a lark. I ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and
took three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets. They
supplied me as they could, showing a thousand marks of wonder and
astonishment at my bulk and appetite. I then made another sign that I
wanted drink.
They found by my eating that a small quantity would not suffice me;
and being a most ingenious people, they slung up with great dexterity,
one of their largest hogsheads, then rolled it towards my hand, and
beat out the top: I drank it off at a draught; which I might well do,
for it did not hold half a pint, and tasted like a small[9] wine of
Burgundy, but much more delicious. They brought me a second hogshead,
which I drank in the same manner, and made signs for more; but they
had none to give me.
When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced
upon my breast, repeating, several times, as they did at first,
_Hekinah degul_. They made me a sign, that I should throw down the two
hogsheads, but first warning the people below to stand out of the way,
crying aloud, _Borach nevola_; and, when they saw the vessels in the
air, there was an universal shout of _Hekinah degul_.
I confess, I was often tempted, while they were passing backwards and
forwards on my body, to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in
my reach, and dash them against the ground. But the remembrance of
what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do,
and the promise of honor I made them--for so I interpreted my
submissive behavior--soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now
considered myself as bound, by the laws of hospitality, to a people
who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence. However, in
my thoughts I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of
these diminutive mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk upon my
body, while one of my hands was at liberty, without trembling at the
very sight of so prodigious a creature, as I must appear to them.
[Illustration: "PRODUCING HIS CREDENTIALS." P. 14.]
After some time, when they observed that I made no more demands for
meat, there appeared before me a person of high rank from his imperial
majesty. His excellency, having mounted on the small of my right leg,
advanced forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue:
and, producing his credentials under the signet-royal,[10] which he
applied close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs
of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution, often pointing
forwards, which, as I afterwards found, was towards the capital city,
about half a mile distant, whither it was agreed by his majesty in
council that I must be conveyed. I answered in few words, but to no
purpose, and made a sign with my hand that was loose, putting it to
the other (but over his excellency's head, for fear of hurting him or
his train) and then to my own head and body, to signify that I desired
my liberty.
It appeared that he understood me well enough, for he shook his head
by way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to show that
I must be carried as a prisoner. However, he made other signs, to let
me understand that I should have meat and drink enough, and very good
treatment. Whereupon I once more thought of attempting to break my
bonds; but again, when I felt the smart of their arrows upon my face
and hands, which were all in blisters, and many of the darts still
sticking in them, and observing, likewise, that the number of my
enemies increased, I gave tokens to let them know, that they might do
with me what they pleased. Upon this the _hurgo_ and his train
withdrew, with much civility, and cheerful countenances.
Soon after, I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the
words, _Peplom selan_, and I felt great numbers of people on my left
side, relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able to turn
upon my right, and to get a little ease. But, before this, they had
daubed my face and both my hands with a sort of ointment very pleasant
to the smell, which, in a few minutes, removed all the smart of their
arrows. These circumstances, added to the refreshment I had received
by their victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, disposed me
to sleep. I slept about eight hours, as I was afterwards assured; and
it was no wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's order, had
mingled a sleepy potion in the hogsheads of wine.
It seems that, upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the
ground after my landing, the emperor had early notice of it, by an
express; and determined in council, that I should be tied in the
manner I have related (which was done in the night, while I slept),
that plenty of meat and drink should be sent to me, and a machine
prepared to carry me to the capital city.
This resolution, perhaps, may appear very bold and dangerous, and I am
confident would not be imitated by any prince in Europe, on the like
occasion. However, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent, as well as
generous; for, supposing these people had endeavored to kill me with
their spears and arrows, while I was asleep, I should certainly have
awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused
my rage and strength, as to have enabled me to break the strings
wherewith I was tied; after which, as they were not able to make
resistance, so they could expect no mercy.
These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great
perfection in mechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the
emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. The prince hath several
machines fixed on wheels for the carriage of trees, and other great
weights. He often builds his largest men of war, whereof some are nine
feet long, in the woods where the timber grows, and has them carried
on these engines three or four hundred yards to the sea. Five hundred
carpenters and engineers were immediately set to work, to prepare the
greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood, raised three inches
from the ground, about seven feet long and four wide, moving upon
twenty-two wheels. The shout I heard was upon the arrival of this
engine, which, it seems, set out in four hours after my landing. It
was brought parallel to me, as I lay. But the principal difficulty
was, to raise and place me in this vehicle.
Eighty poles, each of one foot high, were erected for this purpose,
and very strong cords, of the bigness of packthread, were fastened by
hooks to many bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my
hands, my body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were
employed to draw up these cords by many pulleys fastened on the poles;
and thus, in less than three hours, I was raised and slung into the
engine, and tied fast.
[Illustration]
All this I was told; for, while the whole operation was performing, I
lay in a profound sleep, by the force of that soporiferous medicine
infused into my liquor. Fifteen hundred of the emperor's largest
horses, each about four inches and a half high, were employed to draw
me towards the metropolis, which, as I said, was half a mile distant.
About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked, by a very
ridiculous accident; for, the carriage being stopt a while, to adjust
something that was out of order, two or three of the young natives had
the curiosity to see how I looked, when I was asleep. They climbed up
into the engine, and advancing very softly to my face, one of them, an
officer in the guards, put the sharp end of his half-pike[11] a good
way up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and
made me sneeze violently; whereupon they stole off, unperceived, and
it was three weeks before I knew the cause of my awaking so suddenly.
We made a long march the remaining part of the day, and rested at
night with five hundred guards on each side of me, half with torches,
and half with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me, if I should offer to
stir. The next morning, at sunrise, we continued our march, and
arrived within two hundred yards of the city gates about noon. The
emperor, and all his court, came out to meet us; but his great
officers would by no means suffer his majesty to endanger his person,
by mounting on my body.
At the place where the carriage stopt, there stood an ancient temple,
esteemed to be the largest in the whole kingdom, which, having been
polluted some years before by an unnatural murder, was, according to
the zeal of those people, looked upon as profane, and therefore had
been applied to common use, and all the ornaments and furniture
carried away. In this edifice it was determined I should lodge. The
great gate, fronting to the north, was about four feet high, and
almost two feet wide, through which I could easily creep. On each side
of the gate was a small window, not above six inches from the ground;
into that on the left side the king's smith conveyed four score and
eleven chains, like those that hang to a lady's watch in Europe, and
almost as large, which were locked to my left leg with six-and-thirty
padlocks.
[Illustration]
Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at
twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here
the emperor ascended, with many principal lords of his court, to have
an opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I could not see them.
It was reckoned that above an hundred thousand inhabitants came out of
the town upon the same errand; and, in spite of my guards, I believe
there could not be fewer than ten thousand, at several times, who
mounted my body, by the help of ladders. But a proclamation was soon
issued, to forbid it, upon pain of death.
When the workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose, they
cut all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose up, with as
melancholy a disposition as ever I had in my life. But the noise and
astonishment of the people, at seeing me rise and walk, are not to be
expressed. The chains that held my left leg were about two yards long,
and gave me not only the liberty of walking backwards and forwards in
a semi-circle, but, being fixed within four inches of the gate,
allowed me to creep in, and lie at my full length in the temple.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER II.
THE EMPEROR OF LILLIPUT, ATTENDED BY SEVERAL OF THE NOBILITY, COMES TO
SEE THE AUTHOR IN HIS CONFINEMENT. THE EMPEROR'S PERSON AND HABIT
DESCRIBED. LEARNED MEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE AUTHOR THEIR LANGUAGE.
HE GAINS FAVOR BY HIS MILD DISPOSITION. HIS POCKETS ARE SEARCHED, AND
HIS SWORD AND PISTOLS TAKEN FROM HIM.
When I found myself on my feet, I looked about me, and must confess I
never beheld a more entertaining prospect. The country around,
appeared like a continued garden, and the enclosed fields, which were
generally forty feet square, resembled so many beds of flowers. These
fields were intermingled with woods of half a stang,[12] and the
tallest trees, as I could judge, appeared to be seven feet high. I
viewed the town on my left hand, which looked like the painted scene
of a city in a theatre.
The emperor was already descended from the tower, and advancing on
horseback towards me, which had like to have cost him dear; for the
beast, though very well trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight,
which appeared as if a mountain moved before him, reared up on his
hind feet. But that prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his
seat, till his attendants ran in and held the bridle, while his
majesty had time to dismount.
When he alighted, he surveyed me round with great admiration, but kept
without the length of my chain. He ordered his cooks and butlers, who
were already prepared, to give me victuals and drink, which they
pushed forward in a sort of vehicles upon wheels, till I could reach
them. I took these vehicles, and soon emptied them all; twenty of them
were filled with meat; each afforded me two or three good mouthfuls.
The empress and young princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by
many ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs;[13] but upon the
accident that happened to the emperor's horse, they alighted, and came
near his person, which I am now going to describe. He is taller, by
almost the breadth of my nail, than any of his court, which alone is
enough to strike an awe into the beholders. His features are strong
and masculine, with an Austrian lip and arched nose, his complexion
olive, his countenance erect, his body and limbs well proportioned,
all his motions graceful, and his deportment majestic. He was then
past his prime, being twenty-eight years and three-quarters old, of
which he had reigned about seven in great felicity, and generally
victorious. For the better convenience of beholding him, I lay on my
side, so that my face was parallel to his, and he stood but three
yards off. However, I have had him since many times in my hand, and
therefore cannot be deceived in the description.
[Illustration]
His dress was very plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the
Asiatic and the European; but he had on his head a light helmet of
gold, adorned with jewels, and a plume an the crest.[14] He held his
sword drawn in his hand, to defend himself, if I should happen to
break loose; it was almost three inches long; the hilt and scabbard
were gold, enriched with diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very
clear and articulate, and I could distinctly hear it, when I stood up.
The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad; so that the
spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread on the
ground, embroidered with figures of gold and silver. His imperial
majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers, but neither of us
could understand a syllable. There were several of his priests and
lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits), who were commanded
to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them in as many languages
as I had the least smattering of, which were, High and Low Dutch,
Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua Franca;[15] but all to no
purpose.
After about two hours the court retired, and I was left with a strong
guard, to prevent the impertinence, and probably the malice of the
rabble, who were very impatient to crowd about me as near as they
durst; and some of them had the impudence to shoot their arrows at me,
as I sat on the ground by the door of my house, whereof one very
narrowly missed my left eye. But the colonel ordered six of the
ring-leaders to be seized, and thought no punishment so proper as to
deliver them bound into my hands; which some of his soldiers
accordingly did, pushing them forwards with the butt-ends of their
pikes into my reach. I took them all on my right hand, put five of
them into my coat-pocket; and as to the sixth, I made a countenance as
if I would eat him alive. The poor man squalled terribly, and the
colonel and his officers were in much pain, especially when they saw
me take out my penknife; but I soon put them out of fear, for, looking
mildly, and immediately cutting the strings he was bound with, I set
him gently on the ground, and away he ran. I treated the rest in the
same manner, taking them one by one out of my pocket; and I observed
both the soldiers and people were highly delighted at this mark of my
clemency, which was represented very much to my advantage at court.
[Illustration]
Towards night, I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay
on the ground, and continued to do so about a fortnight, during which
time the emperor gave orders to have a bed prepared for me. Six
hundred beds, of the common measure, were brought in carriages and
worked up in my house; an hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn
together, made up the breadth and length; and these were four double,
which, however, kept me but very indifferently from the hardness of
the floor, which was of smooth stone. By the same computation, they
provided me with sheets, blankets, and coverlets, which were tolerable
enough for one who had been so long inured to hardships as I.
As the news of my arrival spread through the kingdom, it brought
prodigious numbers of rich, idle, and curious people to see me; so
that the villages were almost emptied; and great neglect of tillage
and household affairs must have ensued, if his imperial majesty had
not provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against
this inconvenience. He directed that those who had already beheld me
should return home, and not presume to come within fifty yards of my
house without license from court; whereby the secretaries of state got
considerable fees.
In the meantime, the emperor held frequent councils, to debate what
course should be taken with me; and I was afterwards assured by a
particular friend, a person of great quality, who was as much in the
secret as any, that the court was under many difficulties concerning
me. They apprehended my breaking loose; that my diet would be very
expensive, and might cause a famine. Sometimes they determined to
starve me, or at least to shoot me in the face and hands with poisoned
arrows, which would soon despatch me: but again they considered that
the stench of so large a carcase might produce a plague in the
metropolis, and probably spread through the whole kingdom.
In the midst of these consultations, several officers of the army went
to the door of the great council-chamber, and two of them being
admitted, gave an account of my behavior to the six criminals
above-mentioned, which made so favorable an impression in the breast
of his majesty, and the whole board, in my behalf, that an imperial
commission was issued out, obliging all the villages nine hundred
yards round the city to deliver in, every morning, six beeves, forty
sheep, and other victuals, for my sustenance; together with a
proportionable quantity of bread and wine, and other liquors; for the
due payment of which his majesty gave assignments upon his treasury.
For this prince lives chiefly upon his own demesnes, seldom, except
upon great occasions, raising any subsidies upon his subjects, who are
bound to attend him in his wars at their own expense. An establishment
was also made of six hundred persons, to be my domestics, who had
board-wages allowed for their maintenance, and tents built for them
very conveniently on each side of my door.
It was likewise ordered that three hundred tailors should make me a
suit of clothes, after the fashion of the country; that six of his
majesty's greatest scholars should be employed to instruct me in their
language; and lastly, that the emperor's horses, and those of the
nobility and troops of guards, should be frequently exercised in my
sight, to accustom themselves to me.
All these orders were duly put in execution, and in about three weeks
I made a great progress in learning their language; during which time
the emperor frequently honored me with his visits, and was pleased to
assist my masters in teaching me. We began already to converse
together in some sort; and the first words I learnt were to express my
desire that he would please give me my liberty, which I every day
repeated on my knees. His answer, as I could apprehend it, was, that
this must be a work of time, not to be thought on without the advice
of his council, and that first I must _lumos kelmin pesso desmar lon
emposo_; that is, swear a peace with him and his kingdom. However,
that I should be used with all kindness; and he advised me to acquire,
by my patience and discreet behavior, the good opinion of himself and
his subjects.
He desired I would not take it ill, if he gave orders to certain
proper officers to search me; for probably I might carry about me
several weapons which must needs be dangerous things, if they answered
the bulk of so prodigious a person. I said his majesty should be
satisfied, for I was ready to strip myself and turn up my pockets
before him. This I delivered, part in words, and part in signs.
He replied, that by the laws of the kingdom, I must be searched by two
of his officers; that he knew this could not be done without my
consent and assistance; that he had so good an opinion of my
generosity and justice, as to trust their persons in my hands; that
whatever they took from me should be returned when I left the country,
or paid for at the rate which I should set upon them. I took up the
two officers in my hands, put them first into my coat-pockets, and
then into every other pocket about me, except my two fobs and another
secret pocket, which I had no mind should be searched, wherein I had
some little necessaries that were of no consequence to any but myself.
In one of my fobs there was a silver watch, and in the other a small
quantity of gold in a purse.
[Illustration: "THESE GENTLEMEN MADE AN EXACT INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING
THEY SAW" P. 30.]
These gentlemen having pen, ink, and paper about them, made an exact
inventory of everything they saw; and, when they had done, desired I
would set them down, that they might deliver it to the emperor. This
inventory I afterwards translated into English, and is word for word
as follows:--
_Imprimis_,[16] In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain
(for so I interpret the words _quinbus flestrin_), after the strictest
search, we found only one great piece of coarse cloth, large enough to
be a foot-cloth for your majesty's chief room of state. In the left
pocket, we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover of the same metal,
which we the searchers were not able to lift. We desired it should be
opened, and one of us stepping into it, found himself up to the
mid-leg in a sort of dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces,
set us both a sneezing for several times together. In his right
waistcoat pocket we found a prodigious number of white thin substances
folded one over another, about the bigness of three men, tied with a
strong cable, and marked with black figures; which we humbly conceive
to be writings, every letter almost half as large as the palm of our
hands. In the left, there was a sort of engine, from the back of which
were extended twenty long poles, resembling the palisadoes before your
majesty's court; wherewith we conjecture the man-mountain combs his
head, for we did not always trouble him with questions, because we
found it a great difficulty to make him understand us. In the large
pocket on the right side of his middle cover (so I translate the word
_ranfu-lo_, by which they meant my breeches), we saw a hollow pillar
of iron, about the length of a man, fastened to a strong piece of
timber, larger than the pillar; and upon one side of the pillar were
huge pieces of iron sticking out, cut into strange figures, which we
know not what to make of. In the left pocket, another engine of the
same kind. In the smaller pocket on the right side were several round
flat pieces of white and red metal, of different bulk; some of the
white, which seemed to be silver, were so large and so heavy, that my
comrade and I could hardly lift them. In the left pocket, were two
black pillars irregularly shaped; we could not without difficulty
reach the top of them, as we stood at the bottom of his pocket. One of
them was covered, and seemed all of a piece; but at the upper end of
the other, there appeared a white and round substance, about twice the
bigness of our heads. Within each of these was enclosed a prodigious
plate of steel, which, by our orders, we obliged him to show us,
because we apprehended they might be dangerous engines. He took them
out of their cases, and told us that in his own country his practice
was to shave his beard with one of these, and to cut his meat with the
other. There were two pockets which we could not enter: these he
called his fobs. Out of the right fob hung a great silver chain, with
a wonderful kind of engine at the bottom. We directed him to draw out
whatever was at the end of that chain, which appeared to be a globe,
half silver, and half of some transparent metal; for on the
transparent side we saw certain strange figures, circularly drawn, and
thought we could touch them till we found our fingers stopped by that
lucid substance.[17] He put this engine to our ears, which made an
incessant noise, like that of a water-mill; and we conjecture it is
either some unknown animal, or the god that he worships; but we are
more inclined to the latter opinion, because he assured us (if we
understood him right, for he expressed himself very imperfectly), that
he seldom did anything without consulting it. He called it his oracle,
and said it pointed out the time for every action of his life. From
the left fob he took out a net almost large enough for a fisherman,
but contrived to open and shut like a purse, and served him for the
same use; we found therein several massy pieces of yellow metal,
which, if they be real gold, must be of immense value.
Having thus, in obedience to your majesty's commands, diligently
searched all his pockets, we observed a girdle about his waist, made
of the hide of some prodigious animal, from which, on the left side,
hung a sword of the length of five men; and on the right, a bag or
pouch, divided into two cells, each cell capable of holding three of
your majesty's subjects. In one of these cells were several globes, or
balls, of a most ponderous metal, about the bigness of our heads, and
required a strong hand to lift them; the other cell contained a heap
of certain black grains, but of no great bulk or weight, for we could
hold about fifty of them in the palms of our hands.
This is an exact inventory of what we found about the body of the
man-mountain, who used us with great civility and due respect to your
majesty's commission. Signed and sealed, on the fourth day of the
eighty-ninth moon of your majesty's auspicious reign.
CLEFRIN FRELOC. MARSI FRELOC.
When this inventory was read over to the emperor, he directed me,
although in very gentle terms, to deliver up the several particulars.
He first called for my scimitar, which I took out, scabbard and all.
In the meantime, he ordered three thousand of his choicest troops (who
then attended him) to surround me at a distance, with their bows and
arrows just ready to discharge; but I did not observe it, for mine
eyes were wholly fixed upon his majesty. He then desired me to draw my
scimitar, which, although it had got some rust by the sea-water, was
in most parts exceedingly bright. I did so, and immediately all the
troops gave a shout between terror and surprise; for the sun shone
clear, and the reflection dazzled their eyes, as I waved the scimitar
to and fro in my hand. His majesty, who is a most magnanimous prince,
was less daunted than I could expect; he ordered me to return it into
the scabbard, and cast it on the ground as gently as I could, about
six feet from the end of my chain.
The next thing he demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars, by
which he meant my pocket-pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as
well as I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging it only
with powder, which, by the closeness of my pouch, happened to escape
wetting in the sea (an inconvenience against which all prudent
mariners take special care to provide), I first cautioned the emperor
not to be afraid, and then let it off in the air.
The astonishment here was much greater than at the sight of my
scimitar. Hundreds fell down as if they had been struck dead; and even
the emperor, although he stood his ground, could not recover himself
in some time I delivered up both my pistols, in the same manner as I
had done my scimitar, and then my pouch of powder and bullets, begging
him that the former might be kept from fire, for it would kindle with
the smallest spark, and blow up his imperial palace into the air.
[Illustration]
I likewise delivered up my watch, which the emperor was very curious
to see, and commanded two of his tallest yeomen of the guards[18] to
bear it on a pole upon their shoulders, as draymen in England do a
barrel of ale. He was amazed at the continual noise it made and the
motion of the minute-hand, which he could easily discern; for their
sight is much more acute than ours. He asked the opinions of his
learned men about it, which were various and remote, as the reader may
well imagine without my repeating; although, indeed, I could not very
perfectly understand them.
I then gave up my silver and copper money, my purse, with nine large
pieces of gold, and some smaller ones; my knife and razor, my comb and
silver snuffbox, my handkerchief and journal-book. My scimitar,
pistols, and pouch were conveyed in carriages to his majesty's stores;
but the rest of my goods were returned to me.
I had, as I before observed, one private pocket, which escaped their
search, wherein there was a pair of spectacles (which I sometimes use
for the weakness of mine eyes), a pocket perspective,[19] and some
other little conveniences; which, being of no consequence to the
emperor, I did not think myself bound in honor to discover; and I
apprehended they might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my
possession.
[Illustration]