Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
closet to be moved along; and in the space of an hour, or better, `
` that side of the box where the staples were, and had no windows, `
` struck against something that was hard. I apprehended it to be a `
` rock, and found myself tossed more than ever. I plainly heard a `
` noise upon the cover of my closet, like that of a cable, and the `
` grating of it as it passed through the ring. I then found myself `
` hoisted up, by degrees, at least three feet higher than I was `
` before. Whereupon I again thrust up my stick and handkerchief, `
` calling for help till I was almost hoarse. In return to which, I `
` heard a great shout repeated three times, giving me such transports `
` of joy as are not to be conceived but by those who feel them. I `
` now heard a trampling over my head, and somebody calling through `
` the hole with a loud voice, in the English tongue, "If there be any `
` body below, let them speak." I answered, "I was an Englishman, `
` drawn by ill fortune into the greatest calamity that ever any `
` creature underwent, and begged, by all that was moving, to be `
` delivered out of the dungeon I was in." The voice replied, "I was `
` safe, for my box was fastened to their ship; and the carpenter `
` should immediately come and saw a hole in the cover, large enough `
` to pull me out." I answered, "that was needless, and would take up `
` too much time; for there was no more to be done, but let one of the `
` crew put his finger into the ring, and take the box out of the sea `
` into the ship, and so into the captain's cabin." Some of them, `
` upon hearing me talk so wildly, thought I was mad: others laughed; `
` for indeed it never came into my head, that I was now got among `
` people of my own stature and strength. The carpenter came, and in `
` a few minutes sawed a passage about four feet square, then let down `
` a small ladder, upon which I mounted, and thence was taken into the `
` ship in a very weak condition. `
` `
` The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a thousand `
` questions, which I had no inclination to answer. I was equally `
` confounded at the sight of so many pigmies, for such I took them to `
` be, after having so long accustomed mine eyes to the monstrous `
` objects I had left. But the captain, Mr. Thomas Wilcocks, an `
` honest worthy Shropshire man, observing I was ready to faint, took `
` me into his cabin, gave me a cordial to comfort me, and made me `
` turn in upon his own bed, advising me to take a little rest, of `
` which I had great need. Before I went to sleep, I gave him to `
` understand that I had some valuable furniture in my box, too good `
` to be lost: a fine hammock, a handsome field-bed, two chairs, a `
` table, and a cabinet; that my closet was hung on all sides, or `
` rather quilted, with silk and cotton; that if he would let one of `
` the crew bring my closet into his cabin, I would open it there `
` before him, and show him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter `
` these absurdities, concluded I was raving; however (I suppose to `
` pacify me) he promised to give order as I desired, and going upon `
` deck, sent some of his men down into my closet, whence (as I `
` afterwards found) they drew up all my goods, and stripped off the `
` quilting; but the chairs, cabinet, and bedstead, being screwed to `
` the floor, were much damaged by the ignorance of the seamen, who `
` tore them up by force. Then they knocked off some of the boards `
` for the use of the ship, and when they had got all they had a mind `
` for, let the hull drop into the sea, which by reason of many `
` breaches made in the bottom and sides, sunk to rights. And, `
` indeed, I was glad not to have been a spectator of the havoc they `
` made, because I am confident it would have sensibly touched me, by `
` bringing former passages into my mind, which I would rather have `
` forgot. `
` `
` I slept some hours, but perpetually disturbed with dreams of the `
` place I had left, and the dangers I had escaped. However, upon `
` waking, I found myself much recovered. It was now about eight `
` o'clock at night, and the captain ordered supper immediately, `
` thinking I had already fasted too long. He entertained me with `
` great kindness, observing me not to look wildly, or talk `
` inconsistently: and, when we were left alone, desired I would give `
` him a relation of my travels, and by what accident I came to be set `
` adrift, in that monstrous wooden chest. He said "that about twelve `
` o'clock at noon, as he was looking through his glass, he spied it `
` at a distance, and thought it was a sail, which he had a mind to `
` make, being not much out of his course, in hopes of buying some `
` biscuit, his own beginning to fall short. That upon coming nearer, `
` and finding his error, he sent out his long-boat to discover what `
` it was; that his men came back in a fright, swearing they had seen `
` a swimming house. That he laughed at their folly, and went himself `
` in the boat, ordering his men to take a strong cable along with `
` them. That the weather being calm, he rowed round me several `
` times, observed my windows and wire lattices that defended them. `
` That he discovered two staples upon one side, which was all of `
` boards, without any passage for light. He then commanded his men `
` to row up to that side, and fastening a cable to one of the `
` staples, ordered them to tow my chest, as they called it, toward `
` the ship. When it was there, he gave directions to fasten another `
` cable to the ring fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest with `
` pulleys, which all the sailors were not able to do above two or `
` three feet." He said, "they saw my stick and handkerchief thrust `
` out of the hole, and concluded that some unhappy man must be shut `
` up in the cavity." I asked, "whether he or the crew had seen any `
` prodigious birds in the air, about the time he first discovered `
` me." To which he answered, that discoursing this matter with the `
` sailors while I was asleep, one of them said, he had observed three `
` eagles flying towards the north, but remarked nothing of their `
` being larger than the usual size:" which I suppose must be imputed `
` to the great height they were at; and he could not guess the reason `
` of my question. I then asked the captain, "how far he reckoned we `
` might be from land?" He said, "by the best computation he could `
` make, we were at least a hundred leagues." I assured him, "that he `
` must be mistaken by almost half, for I had not left the country `
` whence I came above two hours before I dropped into the sea." `
` Whereupon he began again to think that my brain was disturbed, of `
` which he gave me a hint, and advised me to go to bed in a cabin he `
` had provided. I assured him, "I was well refreshed with his good `
` entertainment and company, and as much in my senses as ever I was `
` in my life." He then grew serious, and desired to ask me freely, `
` "whether I were not troubled in my mind by the consciousness of `
` some enormous crime, for which I was punished, at the command of `
` some prince, by exposing me in that chest; as great criminals, in `
` other countries, have been forced to sea in a leaky vessel, without `
` provisions: for although he should be sorry to have taken so ill a `
` man into his ship, yet he would engage his word to set me safe `
` ashore, in the first port where we arrived." He added, "that his `
` suspicions were much increased by some very absurd speeches I had `
` delivered at first to his sailors, and afterwards to himself, in `
` relation to my closet or chest, as well as by my odd looks and `
` behaviour while I was at supper." `
` `
` I begged his patience to hear me tell my story, which I faithfully `
` did, from the last time I left England, to the moment he first `
` discovered me. And, as truth always forces its way into rational `
` minds, so this honest worthy gentleman, who had some tincture of `
` learning, and very good sense, was immediately convinced of my `
` candour and veracity. But further to confirm all I had said, I `
` entreated him to give order that my cabinet should be brought, of `
` which I had the key in my pocket; for he had already informed me `
` how the seamen disposed of my closet. I opened it in his own `
` presence, and showed him the small collection of rarities I made in `
` the country from which I had been so strangely delivered. There `
` was the comb I had contrived out of the stumps of the king's beard, `
` and another of the same materials, but fixed into a paring of her `
` majesty's thumb-nail, which served for the back. There was a `
` collection of needles and pins, from a foot to half a yard long; `
` four wasp stings, like joiner's tacks; some combings of the queen's `
` hair; a gold ring, which one day she made me a present of, in a `
` most obliging manner, taking it from her little finger, and `
` throwing it over my head like a collar. I desired the captain `
` would please to accept this ring in return for his civilities; `
` which he absolutely refused. I showed him a corn that I had cut `
` off with my own hand, from a maid of honour's toe; it was about the `
` bigness of Kentish pippin, and grown so hard, that when I returned `
` England, I got it hollowed into a cup, and set in silver. Lastly, `
` I desired him to see the breeches I had then on, which were made of `
` a mouse's skin. `
` `
` I could force nothing on him but a footman's tooth, which I `
` observed him to examine with great curiosity, and found he had a `
` fancy for it. He received it with abundance of thanks, more than `
` such a trifle could deserve. It was drawn by an unskilful surgeon, `
` in a mistake, from one of Glumdalclitch's men, who was afflicted `
` with the tooth-ache, but it was as sound as any in his head. I got `
` it cleaned, and put it into my cabinet. It was about a foot long, `
` and four inches in diameter. `
` `
` The captain was very well satisfied with this plain relation I had `
` given him, and said, "he hoped, when we returned to England, I `
` would oblige the world by putting it on paper, and making it `
` public." My answer was, "that we were overstocked with books of `
` travels: that nothing could now pass which was not extraordinary; `
` wherein I doubted some authors less consulted truth, than their own `
` vanity, or interest, or the diversion of ignorant readers; that my `
` story could contain little beside common events, without those `
` ornamental descriptions of strange plants, trees, birds, and other `
` animals; or of the barbarous customs and idolatry of savage people, `
` with which most writers abound. However, I thanked him for his `
` good opinion, and promised to take the matter into my thoughts." `
` `
` He said "he wondered at one thing very much, which was, to hear me `
` speak so loud;" asking me "whether the king or queen of that `
` country were thick of hearing?" I told him, "it was what I had `
` been used to for above two years past, and that I admired as much `
` at the voices of him and his men, who seemed to me only to whisper, `
` and yet I could hear them well enough. But, when I spoke in that `
` country, it was like a man talking in the streets, to another `
` looking out from the top of a steeple, unless when I was placed on `
` a table, or held in any person's hand." I told him, "I had `
` likewise observed another thing, that, when I first got into the `
` ship, and the sailors stood all about me, I thought they were the `
` most little contemptible creatures I had ever beheld." For indeed, `
` while I was in that prince's country, I could never endure to look `
` in a glass, after mine eyes had been accustomed to such prodigious `
` objects, because the comparison gave me so despicable a conceit of `
` myself. The captain said, "that while we were at supper, he `
` observed me to look at every thing with a sort of wonder, and that `
` I often seemed hardly able to contain my laughter, which he knew `
` not well how to take, but imputed it to some disorder in my brain." `
` I answered, "it was very true; and I wondered how I could forbear, `
` when I saw his dishes of the size of a silver three-pence, a leg of `
` pork hardly a mouthful, a cup not so big as a nut-shell;" and so I `
` went on, describing the rest of his household-stuff and provisions, `
` after the same manner. For, although he queen had ordered a little `
` equipage of all things necessary for me, while I was in her `
` service, yet my ideas were wholly taken up with what I saw on every `
` side of me, and I winked at my own littleness, as people do at `
` their own faults. The captain understood my raillery very well, `
` and merrily replied with the old English proverb, "that he doubted `
` mine eyes were bigger than my belly, for he did not observe my `
` stomach so good, although I had fasted all day;" and, continuing in `
` his mirth, protested "he would have gladly given a hundred pounds, `
` to have seen my closet in the eagle's bill, and afterwards in its `
` fall from so great a height into the sea; which would certainly `
` have been a most astonishing object, worthy to have the description `
`
` that side of the box where the staples were, and had no windows, `
` struck against something that was hard. I apprehended it to be a `
` rock, and found myself tossed more than ever. I plainly heard a `
` noise upon the cover of my closet, like that of a cable, and the `
` grating of it as it passed through the ring. I then found myself `
` hoisted up, by degrees, at least three feet higher than I was `
` before. Whereupon I again thrust up my stick and handkerchief, `
` calling for help till I was almost hoarse. In return to which, I `
` heard a great shout repeated three times, giving me such transports `
` of joy as are not to be conceived but by those who feel them. I `
` now heard a trampling over my head, and somebody calling through `
` the hole with a loud voice, in the English tongue, "If there be any `
` body below, let them speak." I answered, "I was an Englishman, `
` drawn by ill fortune into the greatest calamity that ever any `
` creature underwent, and begged, by all that was moving, to be `
` delivered out of the dungeon I was in." The voice replied, "I was `
` safe, for my box was fastened to their ship; and the carpenter `
` should immediately come and saw a hole in the cover, large enough `
` to pull me out." I answered, "that was needless, and would take up `
` too much time; for there was no more to be done, but let one of the `
` crew put his finger into the ring, and take the box out of the sea `
` into the ship, and so into the captain's cabin." Some of them, `
` upon hearing me talk so wildly, thought I was mad: others laughed; `
` for indeed it never came into my head, that I was now got among `
` people of my own stature and strength. The carpenter came, and in `
` a few minutes sawed a passage about four feet square, then let down `
` a small ladder, upon which I mounted, and thence was taken into the `
` ship in a very weak condition. `
` `
` The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a thousand `
` questions, which I had no inclination to answer. I was equally `
` confounded at the sight of so many pigmies, for such I took them to `
` be, after having so long accustomed mine eyes to the monstrous `
` objects I had left. But the captain, Mr. Thomas Wilcocks, an `
` honest worthy Shropshire man, observing I was ready to faint, took `
` me into his cabin, gave me a cordial to comfort me, and made me `
` turn in upon his own bed, advising me to take a little rest, of `
` which I had great need. Before I went to sleep, I gave him to `
` understand that I had some valuable furniture in my box, too good `
` to be lost: a fine hammock, a handsome field-bed, two chairs, a `
` table, and a cabinet; that my closet was hung on all sides, or `
` rather quilted, with silk and cotton; that if he would let one of `
` the crew bring my closet into his cabin, I would open it there `
` before him, and show him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter `
` these absurdities, concluded I was raving; however (I suppose to `
` pacify me) he promised to give order as I desired, and going upon `
` deck, sent some of his men down into my closet, whence (as I `
` afterwards found) they drew up all my goods, and stripped off the `
` quilting; but the chairs, cabinet, and bedstead, being screwed to `
` the floor, were much damaged by the ignorance of the seamen, who `
` tore them up by force. Then they knocked off some of the boards `
` for the use of the ship, and when they had got all they had a mind `
` for, let the hull drop into the sea, which by reason of many `
` breaches made in the bottom and sides, sunk to rights. And, `
` indeed, I was glad not to have been a spectator of the havoc they `
` made, because I am confident it would have sensibly touched me, by `
` bringing former passages into my mind, which I would rather have `
` forgot. `
` `
` I slept some hours, but perpetually disturbed with dreams of the `
` place I had left, and the dangers I had escaped. However, upon `
` waking, I found myself much recovered. It was now about eight `
` o'clock at night, and the captain ordered supper immediately, `
` thinking I had already fasted too long. He entertained me with `
` great kindness, observing me not to look wildly, or talk `
` inconsistently: and, when we were left alone, desired I would give `
` him a relation of my travels, and by what accident I came to be set `
` adrift, in that monstrous wooden chest. He said "that about twelve `
` o'clock at noon, as he was looking through his glass, he spied it `
` at a distance, and thought it was a sail, which he had a mind to `
` make, being not much out of his course, in hopes of buying some `
` biscuit, his own beginning to fall short. That upon coming nearer, `
` and finding his error, he sent out his long-boat to discover what `
` it was; that his men came back in a fright, swearing they had seen `
` a swimming house. That he laughed at their folly, and went himself `
` in the boat, ordering his men to take a strong cable along with `
` them. That the weather being calm, he rowed round me several `
` times, observed my windows and wire lattices that defended them. `
` That he discovered two staples upon one side, which was all of `
` boards, without any passage for light. He then commanded his men `
` to row up to that side, and fastening a cable to one of the `
` staples, ordered them to tow my chest, as they called it, toward `
` the ship. When it was there, he gave directions to fasten another `
` cable to the ring fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest with `
` pulleys, which all the sailors were not able to do above two or `
` three feet." He said, "they saw my stick and handkerchief thrust `
` out of the hole, and concluded that some unhappy man must be shut `
` up in the cavity." I asked, "whether he or the crew had seen any `
` prodigious birds in the air, about the time he first discovered `
` me." To which he answered, that discoursing this matter with the `
` sailors while I was asleep, one of them said, he had observed three `
` eagles flying towards the north, but remarked nothing of their `
` being larger than the usual size:" which I suppose must be imputed `
` to the great height they were at; and he could not guess the reason `
` of my question. I then asked the captain, "how far he reckoned we `
` might be from land?" He said, "by the best computation he could `
` make, we were at least a hundred leagues." I assured him, "that he `
` must be mistaken by almost half, for I had not left the country `
` whence I came above two hours before I dropped into the sea." `
` Whereupon he began again to think that my brain was disturbed, of `
` which he gave me a hint, and advised me to go to bed in a cabin he `
` had provided. I assured him, "I was well refreshed with his good `
` entertainment and company, and as much in my senses as ever I was `
` in my life." He then grew serious, and desired to ask me freely, `
` "whether I were not troubled in my mind by the consciousness of `
` some enormous crime, for which I was punished, at the command of `
` some prince, by exposing me in that chest; as great criminals, in `
` other countries, have been forced to sea in a leaky vessel, without `
` provisions: for although he should be sorry to have taken so ill a `
` man into his ship, yet he would engage his word to set me safe `
` ashore, in the first port where we arrived." He added, "that his `
` suspicions were much increased by some very absurd speeches I had `
` delivered at first to his sailors, and afterwards to himself, in `
` relation to my closet or chest, as well as by my odd looks and `
` behaviour while I was at supper." `
` `
` I begged his patience to hear me tell my story, which I faithfully `
` did, from the last time I left England, to the moment he first `
` discovered me. And, as truth always forces its way into rational `
` minds, so this honest worthy gentleman, who had some tincture of `
` learning, and very good sense, was immediately convinced of my `
` candour and veracity. But further to confirm all I had said, I `
` entreated him to give order that my cabinet should be brought, of `
` which I had the key in my pocket; for he had already informed me `
` how the seamen disposed of my closet. I opened it in his own `
` presence, and showed him the small collection of rarities I made in `
` the country from which I had been so strangely delivered. There `
` was the comb I had contrived out of the stumps of the king's beard, `
` and another of the same materials, but fixed into a paring of her `
` majesty's thumb-nail, which served for the back. There was a `
` collection of needles and pins, from a foot to half a yard long; `
` four wasp stings, like joiner's tacks; some combings of the queen's `
` hair; a gold ring, which one day she made me a present of, in a `
` most obliging manner, taking it from her little finger, and `
` throwing it over my head like a collar. I desired the captain `
` would please to accept this ring in return for his civilities; `
` which he absolutely refused. I showed him a corn that I had cut `
` off with my own hand, from a maid of honour's toe; it was about the `
` bigness of Kentish pippin, and grown so hard, that when I returned `
` England, I got it hollowed into a cup, and set in silver. Lastly, `
` I desired him to see the breeches I had then on, which were made of `
` a mouse's skin. `
` `
` I could force nothing on him but a footman's tooth, which I `
` observed him to examine with great curiosity, and found he had a `
` fancy for it. He received it with abundance of thanks, more than `
` such a trifle could deserve. It was drawn by an unskilful surgeon, `
` in a mistake, from one of Glumdalclitch's men, who was afflicted `
` with the tooth-ache, but it was as sound as any in his head. I got `
` it cleaned, and put it into my cabinet. It was about a foot long, `
` and four inches in diameter. `
` `
` The captain was very well satisfied with this plain relation I had `
` given him, and said, "he hoped, when we returned to England, I `
` would oblige the world by putting it on paper, and making it `
` public." My answer was, "that we were overstocked with books of `
` travels: that nothing could now pass which was not extraordinary; `
` wherein I doubted some authors less consulted truth, than their own `
` vanity, or interest, or the diversion of ignorant readers; that my `
` story could contain little beside common events, without those `
` ornamental descriptions of strange plants, trees, birds, and other `
` animals; or of the barbarous customs and idolatry of savage people, `
` with which most writers abound. However, I thanked him for his `
` good opinion, and promised to take the matter into my thoughts." `
` `
` He said "he wondered at one thing very much, which was, to hear me `
` speak so loud;" asking me "whether the king or queen of that `
` country were thick of hearing?" I told him, "it was what I had `
` been used to for above two years past, and that I admired as much `
` at the voices of him and his men, who seemed to me only to whisper, `
` and yet I could hear them well enough. But, when I spoke in that `
` country, it was like a man talking in the streets, to another `
` looking out from the top of a steeple, unless when I was placed on `
` a table, or held in any person's hand." I told him, "I had `
` likewise observed another thing, that, when I first got into the `
` ship, and the sailors stood all about me, I thought they were the `
` most little contemptible creatures I had ever beheld." For indeed, `
` while I was in that prince's country, I could never endure to look `
` in a glass, after mine eyes had been accustomed to such prodigious `
` objects, because the comparison gave me so despicable a conceit of `
` myself. The captain said, "that while we were at supper, he `
` observed me to look at every thing with a sort of wonder, and that `
` I often seemed hardly able to contain my laughter, which he knew `
` not well how to take, but imputed it to some disorder in my brain." `
` I answered, "it was very true; and I wondered how I could forbear, `
` when I saw his dishes of the size of a silver three-pence, a leg of `
` pork hardly a mouthful, a cup not so big as a nut-shell;" and so I `
` went on, describing the rest of his household-stuff and provisions, `
` after the same manner. For, although he queen had ordered a little `
` equipage of all things necessary for me, while I was in her `
` service, yet my ideas were wholly taken up with what I saw on every `
` side of me, and I winked at my own littleness, as people do at `
` their own faults. The captain understood my raillery very well, `
` and merrily replied with the old English proverb, "that he doubted `
` mine eyes were bigger than my belly, for he did not observe my `
` stomach so good, although I had fasted all day;" and, continuing in `
` his mirth, protested "he would have gladly given a hundred pounds, `
` to have seen my closet in the eagle's bill, and afterwards in its `
` fall from so great a height into the sea; which would certainly `
` have been a most astonishing object, worthy to have the description `
`