Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
was spread, of drawing lectures in morality, or indeed rather `
` matter of discontent and repining, from the quarrels we raise with `
` nature. And I believe, upon a strict inquiry, those quarrels might `
` be shown as ill-grounded among us as they are among that people. `
` `
` As to their military affairs, they boast that the king's army `
` consists of a hundred and seventy-six thousand foot, and thirty-two `
` thousand horse: if that may be called an army, which is made up of `
` tradesmen in the several cities, and farmers in the country, whose `
` commanders are only the nobility and gentry, without pay or reward. `
` They are indeed perfect enough in their exercises, and under very `
` good discipline, wherein I saw no great merit; for how should it be `
` otherwise, where every farmer is under the command of his own `
` landlord, and every citizen under that of the principal men in his `
` own city, chosen after the manner of Venice, by ballot? `
` `
` I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud drawn out to exercise, `
` in a great field near the city of twenty miles square. They were `
` in all not above twenty-five thousand foot, and six thousand horse; `
` but it was impossible for me to compute their number, considering `
` the space of ground they took up. A cavalier, mounted on a large `
` steed, might be about ninety feet high. I have seen this whole `
` body of horse, upon a word of command, draw their swords at once, `
` and brandish them in the air. Imagination can figure nothing so `
` grand, so surprising, and so astonishing! it looked as if ten `
` thousand flashes of lightning were darting at the same time from `
` every quarter of the sky. `
` `
` I was curious to know how this prince, to whose dominions there is `
` no access from any other country, came to think of armies, or to `
` teach his people the practice of military discipline. But I was `
` soon informed, both by conversation and reading their histories; `
` for, in the course of many ages, they have been troubled with the `
` same disease to which the whole race of mankind is subject; the `
` nobility often contending for power, the people for liberty, and `
` the king for absolute dominion. All which, however happily `
` tempered by the laws of that kingdom, have been sometimes violated `
` by each of the three parties, and have more than once occasioned `
` civil wars; the last whereof was happily put an end to by this `
` prince's grand-father, in a general composition; and the militia, `
` then settled with common consent, has been ever since kept in the `
` strictest duty. `
` `
` `
` `
` 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.] `
` `
` I had always a strong impulse that I should some time recover my `
` liberty, though it was impossible to conjecture by what means, or `
` to form any project with the least hope of succeeding. The ship in `
` which I sailed, was the first ever known to be driven within sight `
` of that coast, and the king had given strict orders, that if at any `
` time another appeared, it should be taken ashore, and with all its `
` crew and passengers brought in a tumbril to Lorbrulgrud. He was `
` strongly bent to get me a woman of my own size, by whom I might `
` propagate the breed: but I think I should rather have died than `
` undergone the disgrace of leaving a posterity to be kept in cages, `
` like tame canary-birds, and perhaps, in time, sold about the `
` kingdom, to persons of quality, for curiosities. I was indeed `
` treated with much kindness: I was the favourite of a great king `
` and queen, and the delight of the whole court; but it was upon such `
` a foot as ill became the dignity of humankind. I could never `
` forget those domestic pledges I had left behind me. I wanted to be `
` among people, with whom I could converse upon even terms, and walk `
` about the streets and fields without being afraid of being trod to `
` death like a frog or a young puppy. But my deliverance came sooner `
` than I expected, and in a manner not very common; the whole story `
` and circumstances of which I shall faithfully relate. `
` `
` I had now been two years in this country; and about the beginning `
` of the third, Glumdalclitch and I attended the king and queen, in a `
` progress to the south coast of the kingdom. I was carried, as `
` usual, in my travelling-box, which as I have already described, was `
` a very convenient closet, of twelve feet wide. And I had ordered a `
` hammock to be fixed, by silken ropes from the four corners at the `
` top, to break the jolts, when a servant carried me before him on `
` horseback, as I sometimes desired; and would often sleep in my `
` hammock, while we were upon the road. On the roof of my closet, `
` not directly over the middle of the hammock, I ordered the joiner `
` to cut out a hole of a foot square, to give me air in hot weather, `
` as I slept; which hole I shut at pleasure with a board that drew `
` backward and forward through a groove. `
` `
` When we came to our journey's end, the king thought proper to pass `
` a few days at a palace he has near Flanflasnic, a city within `
` eighteen English miles of the seaside. Glumdalclitch and I were `
` much fatigued: I had gotten a small cold, but the poor girl was so `
` ill as to be confined to her chamber. I longed to see the ocean, `
` which must be the only scene of my escape, if ever it should `
` happen. I pretended to be worse than I really was, and desired `
` leave to take the fresh air of the sea, with a page, whom I was `
` very fond of, and who had sometimes been trusted with me. I shall `
` never forget with what unwillingness Glumdalclitch consented, nor `
` the strict charge she gave the page to be careful of me, bursting `
` at the same time into a flood of tears, as if she had some `
` forboding of what was to happen. The boy took me out in my box, `
` about half an hours walk from the palace, towards the rocks on the `
` sea-shore. I ordered him to set me down, and lifting up one of my `
` sashes, cast many a wistful melancholy look towards the sea. I `
` found myself not very well, and told the page that I had a mind to `
` take a nap in my hammock, which I hoped would do me good. I got `
` in, and the boy shut the window close down, to keep out the cold. `
` I soon fell asleep, and all I can conjecture is, while I slept, the `
` page, thinking no danger could happen, went among the rocks to look `
` for birds' eggs, having before observed him from my window `
` searching about, and picking up one or two in the clefts. Be that `
` as it will, I found myself suddenly awaked with a violent pull upon `
` the ring, which was fastened at the top of my box for the `
` conveniency of carriage. I felt my box raised very high in the `
` air, and then borne forward with prodigious speed. The first jolt `
` had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterward the `
` motion was easy enough. I called out several times, as loud as I `
` could raise my voice, but all to no purpose. I looked towards my `
` windows, and could see nothing but the clouds and sky. I heard a `
` noise just over my head, like the clapping of wings, and then began `
` to perceive the woful condition I was in; that some eagle had got `
` the ring of my box in his beak, with an intent to let it fall on a `
` rock, like a tortoise in a shell, and then pick out my body, and `
` devour it: for the sagacity and smell of this bird enables him to `
` discover his quarry at a great distance, though better concealed `
` than I could be within a two-inch board. `
` `
` In a little time, I observed the noise and flutter of wings to `
` increase very fast, and my box was tossed up and down, like a sign `
` in a windy day. I heard several bangs or buffets, as I thought `
` given to the eagle (for such I am certain it must have been that `
` held the ring of my box in his beak), and then, all on a sudden, `
` felt myself falling perpendicularly down, for above a minute, but `
` with such incredible swiftness, that I almost lost my breath. My `
` fall was stopped by a terrible squash, that sounded louder to my `
` ears than the cataract of Niagara; after which, I was quite in the `
` dark for another minute, and then my box began to rise so high, `
` that I could see light from the tops of the windows. I now `
` perceived I was fallen into the sea. My box, by the weight of my `
` body, the goods that were in, and the broad plates of iron fixed `
` for strength at the four corners of the top and bottom, floated `
` about five feet deep in water. I did then, and do now suppose, `
` that the eagle which flew away with my box was pursued by two or `
` three others, and forced to let me drop, while he defended himself `
` against the rest, who hoped to share in the prey. The plates of `
` iron fastened at the bottom of the box (for those were the `
` strongest) preserved the balance while it fell, and hindered it `
` from being broken on the surface of the water. Every joint of it `
` was well grooved; and the door did not move on hinges, but up and `
` down like a sash, which kept my closet so tight that very little `
` water came in. I got with much difficulty out of my hammock, `
` having first ventured to draw back the slip-board on the roof `
` already mentioned, contrived on purpose to let in air, for want of `
` which I found myself almost stifled. `
` `
` How often did I then wish myself with my dear Glumdalclitch, from `
` whom one single hour had so far divided me! And I may say with `
` truth, that in the midst of my own misfortunes I could not forbear `
` lamenting my poor nurse, the grief she would suffer for my loss, `
` the displeasure of the queen, and the ruin of her fortune. Perhaps `
` many travellers have not been under greater difficulties and `
` distress than I was at this juncture, expecting every moment to see `
` my box dashed to pieces, or at least overset by the first violent `
` blast, or rising wave. A breach in one single pane of glass would `
` have been immediate death: nor could any thing have preserved the `
` windows, but the strong lattice wires placed on the outside, `
` against accidents in travelling. I saw the water ooze in at `
` several crannies, although the leaks were not considerable, and I `
` endeavoured to stop them as well as I could. I was not able to `
` lift up the roof of my closet, which otherwise I certainly should `
` have done, and sat on the top of it; where I might at least `
` preserve myself some hours longer, than by being shut up (as I may `
` call it) in the hold. Or if I escaped these dangers for a day or `
` two, what could I expect but a miserable death of cold and hunger? `
` I was four hours under these circumstances, expecting, and indeed `
` wishing, every moment to be my last. `
` `
` I have already told the reader that there were two strong staples `
` fixed upon that side of my box which had no window, and into which `
` the servant, who used to carry me on horseback, would put a `
` leathern belt, and buckle it about his waist. Being in this `
` disconsolate state, I heard, or at least thought I heard, some kind `
` of grating noise on that side of my box where the staples were `
` fixed; and soon after I began to fancy that the box was pulled or `
` towed along the sea; for I now and then felt a sort of tugging, `
` which made the waves rise near the tops of my windows, leaving me `
` almost in the dark. This gave me some faint hopes of relief, `
` although I was not able to imagine how it could be brought about. `
` I ventured to unscrew one of my chairs, which were always fastened `
` to the floor; and having made a hard shift to screw it down again, `
` directly under the slipping-board that I had lately opened, I `
` mounted on the chair, and putting my mouth as near as I could to `
` the hole, I called for help in a loud voice, and in all the `
` languages I understood. I then fastened my handkerchief to a stick `
` I usually carried, and thrusting it up the hole, waved it several `
` times in the air, that if any boat or ship were near, the seamen `
` might conjecture some unhappy mortal to be shut up in the box. `
` `
` I found no effect from all I could do, but plainly perceived my `
` closet to be moved along; and in the space of an hour, or better, `
`
` matter of discontent and repining, from the quarrels we raise with `
` nature. And I believe, upon a strict inquiry, those quarrels might `
` be shown as ill-grounded among us as they are among that people. `
` `
` As to their military affairs, they boast that the king's army `
` consists of a hundred and seventy-six thousand foot, and thirty-two `
` thousand horse: if that may be called an army, which is made up of `
` tradesmen in the several cities, and farmers in the country, whose `
` commanders are only the nobility and gentry, without pay or reward. `
` They are indeed perfect enough in their exercises, and under very `
` good discipline, wherein I saw no great merit; for how should it be `
` otherwise, where every farmer is under the command of his own `
` landlord, and every citizen under that of the principal men in his `
` own city, chosen after the manner of Venice, by ballot? `
` `
` I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud drawn out to exercise, `
` in a great field near the city of twenty miles square. They were `
` in all not above twenty-five thousand foot, and six thousand horse; `
` but it was impossible for me to compute their number, considering `
` the space of ground they took up. A cavalier, mounted on a large `
` steed, might be about ninety feet high. I have seen this whole `
` body of horse, upon a word of command, draw their swords at once, `
` and brandish them in the air. Imagination can figure nothing so `
` grand, so surprising, and so astonishing! it looked as if ten `
` thousand flashes of lightning were darting at the same time from `
` every quarter of the sky. `
` `
` I was curious to know how this prince, to whose dominions there is `
` no access from any other country, came to think of armies, or to `
` teach his people the practice of military discipline. But I was `
` soon informed, both by conversation and reading their histories; `
` for, in the course of many ages, they have been troubled with the `
` same disease to which the whole race of mankind is subject; the `
` nobility often contending for power, the people for liberty, and `
` the king for absolute dominion. All which, however happily `
` tempered by the laws of that kingdom, have been sometimes violated `
` by each of the three parties, and have more than once occasioned `
` civil wars; the last whereof was happily put an end to by this `
` prince's grand-father, in a general composition; and the militia, `
` then settled with common consent, has been ever since kept in the `
` strictest duty. `
` `
` `
` `
` 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.] `
` `
` I had always a strong impulse that I should some time recover my `
` liberty, though it was impossible to conjecture by what means, or `
` to form any project with the least hope of succeeding. The ship in `
` which I sailed, was the first ever known to be driven within sight `
` of that coast, and the king had given strict orders, that if at any `
` time another appeared, it should be taken ashore, and with all its `
` crew and passengers brought in a tumbril to Lorbrulgrud. He was `
` strongly bent to get me a woman of my own size, by whom I might `
` propagate the breed: but I think I should rather have died than `
` undergone the disgrace of leaving a posterity to be kept in cages, `
` like tame canary-birds, and perhaps, in time, sold about the `
` kingdom, to persons of quality, for curiosities. I was indeed `
` treated with much kindness: I was the favourite of a great king `
` and queen, and the delight of the whole court; but it was upon such `
` a foot as ill became the dignity of humankind. I could never `
` forget those domestic pledges I had left behind me. I wanted to be `
` among people, with whom I could converse upon even terms, and walk `
` about the streets and fields without being afraid of being trod to `
` death like a frog or a young puppy. But my deliverance came sooner `
` than I expected, and in a manner not very common; the whole story `
` and circumstances of which I shall faithfully relate. `
` `
` I had now been two years in this country; and about the beginning `
` of the third, Glumdalclitch and I attended the king and queen, in a `
` progress to the south coast of the kingdom. I was carried, as `
` usual, in my travelling-box, which as I have already described, was `
` a very convenient closet, of twelve feet wide. And I had ordered a `
` hammock to be fixed, by silken ropes from the four corners at the `
` top, to break the jolts, when a servant carried me before him on `
` horseback, as I sometimes desired; and would often sleep in my `
` hammock, while we were upon the road. On the roof of my closet, `
` not directly over the middle of the hammock, I ordered the joiner `
` to cut out a hole of a foot square, to give me air in hot weather, `
` as I slept; which hole I shut at pleasure with a board that drew `
` backward and forward through a groove. `
` `
` When we came to our journey's end, the king thought proper to pass `
` a few days at a palace he has near Flanflasnic, a city within `
` eighteen English miles of the seaside. Glumdalclitch and I were `
` much fatigued: I had gotten a small cold, but the poor girl was so `
` ill as to be confined to her chamber. I longed to see the ocean, `
` which must be the only scene of my escape, if ever it should `
` happen. I pretended to be worse than I really was, and desired `
` leave to take the fresh air of the sea, with a page, whom I was `
` very fond of, and who had sometimes been trusted with me. I shall `
` never forget with what unwillingness Glumdalclitch consented, nor `
` the strict charge she gave the page to be careful of me, bursting `
` at the same time into a flood of tears, as if she had some `
` forboding of what was to happen. The boy took me out in my box, `
` about half an hours walk from the palace, towards the rocks on the `
` sea-shore. I ordered him to set me down, and lifting up one of my `
` sashes, cast many a wistful melancholy look towards the sea. I `
` found myself not very well, and told the page that I had a mind to `
` take a nap in my hammock, which I hoped would do me good. I got `
` in, and the boy shut the window close down, to keep out the cold. `
` I soon fell asleep, and all I can conjecture is, while I slept, the `
` page, thinking no danger could happen, went among the rocks to look `
` for birds' eggs, having before observed him from my window `
` searching about, and picking up one or two in the clefts. Be that `
` as it will, I found myself suddenly awaked with a violent pull upon `
` the ring, which was fastened at the top of my box for the `
` conveniency of carriage. I felt my box raised very high in the `
` air, and then borne forward with prodigious speed. The first jolt `
` had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterward the `
` motion was easy enough. I called out several times, as loud as I `
` could raise my voice, but all to no purpose. I looked towards my `
` windows, and could see nothing but the clouds and sky. I heard a `
` noise just over my head, like the clapping of wings, and then began `
` to perceive the woful condition I was in; that some eagle had got `
` the ring of my box in his beak, with an intent to let it fall on a `
` rock, like a tortoise in a shell, and then pick out my body, and `
` devour it: for the sagacity and smell of this bird enables him to `
` discover his quarry at a great distance, though better concealed `
` than I could be within a two-inch board. `
` `
` In a little time, I observed the noise and flutter of wings to `
` increase very fast, and my box was tossed up and down, like a sign `
` in a windy day. I heard several bangs or buffets, as I thought `
` given to the eagle (for such I am certain it must have been that `
` held the ring of my box in his beak), and then, all on a sudden, `
` felt myself falling perpendicularly down, for above a minute, but `
` with such incredible swiftness, that I almost lost my breath. My `
` fall was stopped by a terrible squash, that sounded louder to my `
` ears than the cataract of Niagara; after which, I was quite in the `
` dark for another minute, and then my box began to rise so high, `
` that I could see light from the tops of the windows. I now `
` perceived I was fallen into the sea. My box, by the weight of my `
` body, the goods that were in, and the broad plates of iron fixed `
` for strength at the four corners of the top and bottom, floated `
` about five feet deep in water. I did then, and do now suppose, `
` that the eagle which flew away with my box was pursued by two or `
` three others, and forced to let me drop, while he defended himself `
` against the rest, who hoped to share in the prey. The plates of `
` iron fastened at the bottom of the box (for those were the `
` strongest) preserved the balance while it fell, and hindered it `
` from being broken on the surface of the water. Every joint of it `
` was well grooved; and the door did not move on hinges, but up and `
` down like a sash, which kept my closet so tight that very little `
` water came in. I got with much difficulty out of my hammock, `
` having first ventured to draw back the slip-board on the roof `
` already mentioned, contrived on purpose to let in air, for want of `
` which I found myself almost stifled. `
` `
` How often did I then wish myself with my dear Glumdalclitch, from `
` whom one single hour had so far divided me! And I may say with `
` truth, that in the midst of my own misfortunes I could not forbear `
` lamenting my poor nurse, the grief she would suffer for my loss, `
` the displeasure of the queen, and the ruin of her fortune. Perhaps `
` many travellers have not been under greater difficulties and `
` distress than I was at this juncture, expecting every moment to see `
` my box dashed to pieces, or at least overset by the first violent `
` blast, or rising wave. A breach in one single pane of glass would `
` have been immediate death: nor could any thing have preserved the `
` windows, but the strong lattice wires placed on the outside, `
` against accidents in travelling. I saw the water ooze in at `
` several crannies, although the leaks were not considerable, and I `
` endeavoured to stop them as well as I could. I was not able to `
` lift up the roof of my closet, which otherwise I certainly should `
` have done, and sat on the top of it; where I might at least `
` preserve myself some hours longer, than by being shut up (as I may `
` call it) in the hold. Or if I escaped these dangers for a day or `
` two, what could I expect but a miserable death of cold and hunger? `
` I was four hours under these circumstances, expecting, and indeed `
` wishing, every moment to be my last. `
` `
` I have already told the reader that there were two strong staples `
` fixed upon that side of my box which had no window, and into which `
` the servant, who used to carry me on horseback, would put a `
` leathern belt, and buckle it about his waist. Being in this `
` disconsolate state, I heard, or at least thought I heard, some kind `
` of grating noise on that side of my box where the staples were `
` fixed; and soon after I began to fancy that the box was pulled or `
` towed along the sea; for I now and then felt a sort of tugging, `
` which made the waves rise near the tops of my windows, leaving me `
` almost in the dark. This gave me some faint hopes of relief, `
` although I was not able to imagine how it could be brought about. `
` I ventured to unscrew one of my chairs, which were always fastened `
` to the floor; and having made a hard shift to screw it down again, `
` directly under the slipping-board that I had lately opened, I `
` mounted on the chair, and putting my mouth as near as I could to `
` the hole, I called for help in a loud voice, and in all the `
` languages I understood. I then fastened my handkerchief to a stick `
` I usually carried, and thrusting it up the hole, waved it several `
` times in the air, that if any boat or ship were near, the seamen `
` might conjecture some unhappy mortal to be shut up in the box. `
` `
` I found no effect from all I could do, but plainly perceived my `
` closet to be moved along; and in the space of an hour, or better, `
`