Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
to me, the two friends took their leaves, with the same compliment `
` of striking each other's hoof; and the gray made me signs that I `
` should walk before him; wherein I thought it prudent to comply, `
` till I could find a better director. When I offered to slacken my `
` pace, he would cry hhuun hhuun: I guessed his meaning, and gave `
` him to understand, as well as I could, "that I was weary, and not `
` able to walk faster;" upon which he would stand awhile to let me `
` rest. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER II. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his house. The house `
` described. The author's reception. The food of the Houyhnhnms. `
` The author in distress for want of meat. Is at last relieved. His `
` manner of feeding in this country.] `
` `
` Having travelled about three miles, we came to a long kind of `
` building, made of timber stuck in the ground, and wattled across; `
` the roof was low and covered with straw. I now began to be a `
` little comforted; and took out some toys, which travellers usually `
` carry for presents to the savage Indians of America, and other `
` parts, in hopes the people of the house would be thereby encouraged `
` to receive me kindly. The horse made me a sign to go in first; it `
` was a large room with a smooth clay floor, and a rack and manger, `
` extending the whole length on one side. There were three nags and `
` two mares, not eating, but some of them sitting down upon their `
` hams, which I very much wondered at; but wondered more to see the `
` rest employed in domestic business; these seemed but ordinary `
` cattle. However, this confirmed my first opinion, that a people `
` who could so far civilise brute animals, must needs excel in wisdom `
` all the nations of the world. The gray came in just after, and `
` thereby prevented any ill treatment which the others might have `
` given me. He neighed to them several times in a style of `
` authority, and received answers. `
` `
` Beyond this room there were three others, reaching the length of `
` the house, to which you passed through three doors, opposite to `
` each other, in the manner of a vista. We went through the second `
` room towards the third. Here the gray walked in first, beckoning `
` me to attend: I waited in the second room, and got ready my `
` presents for the master and mistress of the house; they were two `
` knives, three bracelets of false pearls, a small looking-glass, and `
` a bead necklace. The horse neighed three or four times, and I `
` waited to hear some answers in a human voice, but I heard no other `
` returns than in the same dialect, only one or two a little shriller `
` than his. I began to think that this house must belong to some `
` person of great note among them, because there appeared so much `
` ceremony before I could gain admittance. But, that a man of `
` quality should be served all by horses, was beyond my `
` comprehension. I feared my brain was disturbed by my sufferings `
` and misfortunes. I roused myself, and looked about me in the room `
` where I was left alone: this was furnished like the first, only `
` after a more elegant manner. I rubbed my eyes often, but the same `
` objects still occurred. I pinched my arms and sides to awake `
` myself, hoping I might be in a dream. I then absolutely concluded, `
` that all these appearances could be nothing else but necromancy and `
` magic. But I had no time to pursue these reflections; for the gray `
` horse came to the door, and made me a sign to follow him into the `
` third room where I saw a very comely mare, together with a colt and `
` foal, sitting on their haunches upon mats of straw, not unartfully `
` made, and perfectly neat and clean. `
` `
` The mare soon after my entrance rose from her mat, and coming up `
` close, after having nicely observed my hands and face, gave me a `
` most contemptuous look; and turning to the horse, I heard the word `
` Yahoo often repeated betwixt them; the meaning of which word I `
` could not then comprehend, although it was the first I had learned `
` to pronounce. But I was soon better informed, to my everlasting `
` mortification; for the horse, beckoning to me with his head, and `
` repeating the hhuun, hhuun, as he did upon the road, which I `
` understood was to attend him, led me out into a kind of court, `
` where was another building, at some distance from the house. Here `
` we entered, and I saw three of those detestable creatures, which I `
` first met after my landing, feeding upon roots, and the flesh of `
` some animals, which I afterwards found to be that of asses and `
` dogs, and now and then a cow, dead by accident or disease. They `
` were all tied by the neck with strong withes fastened to a beam; `
` they held their food between the claws of their fore feet, and tore `
` it with their teeth. `
` `
` The master horse ordered a sorrel nag, one of his servants, to `
` untie the largest of these animals, and take him into the yard. `
` The beast and I were brought close together, and by our `
` countenances diligently compared both by master and servant, who `
` thereupon repeated several times the word Yahoo. My horror and `
` astonishment are not to be described, when I observed in this `
` abominable animal, a perfect human figure: the face of it indeed `
` was flat and broad, the nose depressed, the lips large, and the `
` mouth wide; but these differences are common to all savage nations, `
` where the lineaments of the countenance are distorted, by the `
` natives suffering their infants to lie grovelling on the earth, or `
` by carrying them on their backs, nuzzling with their face against `
` the mothers' shoulders. The fore-feet of the Yahoo differed from `
` my hands in nothing else but the length of the nails, the `
` coarseness and brownness of the palms, and the hairiness on the `
` backs. There was the same resemblance between our feet, with the `
` same differences; which I knew very well, though the horses did `
` not, because of my shoes and stockings; the same in every part of `
` our bodies except as to hairiness and colour, which I have already `
` described. `
` `
` The great difficulty that seemed to stick with the two horses, was `
` to see the rest of my body so very different from that of a Yahoo, `
` for which I was obliged to my clothes, whereof they had no `
` conception. The sorrel nag offered me a root, which he held (after `
` their manner, as we shall describe in its proper place) between his `
` hoof and pastern; I took it in my hand, and, having smelt it, `
` returned it to him again as civilly as I could. He brought out of `
` the Yahoos' kennel a piece of ass's flesh; but it smelt so `
` offensively that I turned from it with loathing: he then threw it `
` to the Yahoo, by whom it was greedily devoured. He afterwards `
` showed me a wisp of hay, and a fetlock full of oats; but I shook my `
` head, to signify that neither of these were food for me. And `
` indeed I now apprehended that I must absolutely starve, if I did `
` not get to some of my own species; for as to those filthy Yahoos, `
` although there were few greater lovers of mankind at that time than `
` myself, yet I confess I never saw any sensitive being so detestable `
` on all accounts; and the more I came near them the more hateful `
` they grew, while I stayed in that country. This the master horse `
` observed by my behaviour, and therefore sent the Yahoo back to his `
` kennel. He then put his fore-hoof to his mouth, at which I was `
` much surprised, although he did it with ease, and with a motion `
` that appeared perfectly natural, and made other signs, to know what `
` I would eat; but I could not return him such an answer as he was `
` able to apprehend; and if he had understood me, I did not see how `
` it was possible to contrive any way for finding myself nourishment. `
` While we were thus engaged, I observed a cow passing by, whereupon `
` I pointed to her, and expressed a desire to go and milk her. This `
` had its effect; for he led me back into the house, and ordered a `
` mare-servant to open a room, where a good store of milk lay in `
` earthen and wooden vessels, after a very orderly and cleanly `
` manner. She gave me a large bowlful, of which I drank very `
` heartily, and found myself well refreshed. `
` `
` About noon, I saw coming towards the house a kind of vehicle drawn `
` like a sledge by four Yahoos. There was in it an old steed, who `
` seemed to be of quality; he alighted with his hind-feet forward, `
` having by accident got a hurt in his left fore-foot. He came to `
` dine with our horse, who received him with great civility. They `
` dined in the best room, and had oats boiled in milk for the second `
` course, which the old horse ate warm, but the rest cold. Their `
` mangers were placed circular in the middle of the room, and divided `
` into several partitions, round which they sat on their haunches, `
` upon bosses of straw. In the middle was a large rack, with angles `
` answering to every partition of the manger; so that each horse and `
` mare ate their own hay, and their own mash of oats and milk, with `
` much decency and regularity. The behaviour of the young colt and `
` foal appeared very modest, and that of the master and mistress `
` extremely cheerful and complaisant to their guest. The gray `
` ordered me to stand by him; and much discourse passed between him `
` and his friend concerning me, as I found by the stranger's often `
` looking on me, and the frequent repetition of the word Yahoo. `
` `
` I happened to wear my gloves, which the master gray observing, `
` seemed perplexed, discovering signs of wonder what I had done to my `
` fore-feet. He put his hoof three or four times to them, as if he `
` would signify, that I should reduce them to their former shape, `
` which I presently did, pulling off both my gloves, and putting them `
` into my pocket. This occasioned farther talk; and I saw the `
` company was pleased with my behaviour, whereof I soon found the `
` good effects. I was ordered to speak the few words I understood; `
` and while they were at dinner, the master taught me the names for `
` oats, milk, fire, water, and some others, which I could readily `
` pronounce after him, having from my youth a great facility in `
` learning languages. `
` `
` When dinner was done, the master horse took me aside, and by signs `
` and words made me understand the concern he was in that I had `
` nothing to eat. Oats in their tongue are called hlunnh. This word `
` I pronounced two or three times; for although I had refused them at `
` first, yet, upon second thoughts, I considered that I could `
` contrive to make of them a kind of bread, which might be `
` sufficient, with milk, to keep me alive, till I could make my `
` escape to some other country, and to creatures of my own species. `
` The horse immediately ordered a white mare servant of his family to `
` bring me a good quantity of oats in a sort of wooden tray. These I `
` heated before the fire, as well as I could, and rubbed them till `
` the husks came off, which I made a shift to winnow from the grain. `
` I ground and beat them between two stones; then took water, and `
` made them into a paste or cake, which I toasted at the fire and eat `
` warm with milk. It was at first a very insipid diet, though common `
` enough in many parts of Europe, but grew tolerable by time; and `
` having been often reduced to hard fare in my life, this was not the `
` first experiment I had made how easily nature is satisfied. And I `
` cannot but observe, that I never had one hours sickness while I `
` stayed in this island. It is true, I sometimes made a shift to `
` catch a rabbit, or bird, by springs made of Yahoo's hairs; and I `
` often gathered wholesome herbs, which I boiled, and ate as salads `
` with my bread; and now and then, for a rarity, I made a little `
` butter, and drank the whey. I was at first at a great loss for `
` salt, but custom soon reconciled me to the want of it; and I am `
` confident that the frequent use of salt among us is an effect of `
` luxury, and was first introduced only as a provocative to drink, `
` except where it is necessary for preserving flesh in long voyages, `
` or in places remote from great markets; for we observe no animal to `
` be fond of it but man, and as to myself, when I left this country, `
` it was a great while before I could endure the taste of it in `
`
` of striking each other's hoof; and the gray made me signs that I `
` should walk before him; wherein I thought it prudent to comply, `
` till I could find a better director. When I offered to slacken my `
` pace, he would cry hhuun hhuun: I guessed his meaning, and gave `
` him to understand, as well as I could, "that I was weary, and not `
` able to walk faster;" upon which he would stand awhile to let me `
` rest. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER II. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his house. The house `
` described. The author's reception. The food of the Houyhnhnms. `
` The author in distress for want of meat. Is at last relieved. His `
` manner of feeding in this country.] `
` `
` Having travelled about three miles, we came to a long kind of `
` building, made of timber stuck in the ground, and wattled across; `
` the roof was low and covered with straw. I now began to be a `
` little comforted; and took out some toys, which travellers usually `
` carry for presents to the savage Indians of America, and other `
` parts, in hopes the people of the house would be thereby encouraged `
` to receive me kindly. The horse made me a sign to go in first; it `
` was a large room with a smooth clay floor, and a rack and manger, `
` extending the whole length on one side. There were three nags and `
` two mares, not eating, but some of them sitting down upon their `
` hams, which I very much wondered at; but wondered more to see the `
` rest employed in domestic business; these seemed but ordinary `
` cattle. However, this confirmed my first opinion, that a people `
` who could so far civilise brute animals, must needs excel in wisdom `
` all the nations of the world. The gray came in just after, and `
` thereby prevented any ill treatment which the others might have `
` given me. He neighed to them several times in a style of `
` authority, and received answers. `
` `
` Beyond this room there were three others, reaching the length of `
` the house, to which you passed through three doors, opposite to `
` each other, in the manner of a vista. We went through the second `
` room towards the third. Here the gray walked in first, beckoning `
` me to attend: I waited in the second room, and got ready my `
` presents for the master and mistress of the house; they were two `
` knives, three bracelets of false pearls, a small looking-glass, and `
` a bead necklace. The horse neighed three or four times, and I `
` waited to hear some answers in a human voice, but I heard no other `
` returns than in the same dialect, only one or two a little shriller `
` than his. I began to think that this house must belong to some `
` person of great note among them, because there appeared so much `
` ceremony before I could gain admittance. But, that a man of `
` quality should be served all by horses, was beyond my `
` comprehension. I feared my brain was disturbed by my sufferings `
` and misfortunes. I roused myself, and looked about me in the room `
` where I was left alone: this was furnished like the first, only `
` after a more elegant manner. I rubbed my eyes often, but the same `
` objects still occurred. I pinched my arms and sides to awake `
` myself, hoping I might be in a dream. I then absolutely concluded, `
` that all these appearances could be nothing else but necromancy and `
` magic. But I had no time to pursue these reflections; for the gray `
` horse came to the door, and made me a sign to follow him into the `
` third room where I saw a very comely mare, together with a colt and `
` foal, sitting on their haunches upon mats of straw, not unartfully `
` made, and perfectly neat and clean. `
` `
` The mare soon after my entrance rose from her mat, and coming up `
` close, after having nicely observed my hands and face, gave me a `
` most contemptuous look; and turning to the horse, I heard the word `
` Yahoo often repeated betwixt them; the meaning of which word I `
` could not then comprehend, although it was the first I had learned `
` to pronounce. But I was soon better informed, to my everlasting `
` mortification; for the horse, beckoning to me with his head, and `
` repeating the hhuun, hhuun, as he did upon the road, which I `
` understood was to attend him, led me out into a kind of court, `
` where was another building, at some distance from the house. Here `
` we entered, and I saw three of those detestable creatures, which I `
` first met after my landing, feeding upon roots, and the flesh of `
` some animals, which I afterwards found to be that of asses and `
` dogs, and now and then a cow, dead by accident or disease. They `
` were all tied by the neck with strong withes fastened to a beam; `
` they held their food between the claws of their fore feet, and tore `
` it with their teeth. `
` `
` The master horse ordered a sorrel nag, one of his servants, to `
` untie the largest of these animals, and take him into the yard. `
` The beast and I were brought close together, and by our `
` countenances diligently compared both by master and servant, who `
` thereupon repeated several times the word Yahoo. My horror and `
` astonishment are not to be described, when I observed in this `
` abominable animal, a perfect human figure: the face of it indeed `
` was flat and broad, the nose depressed, the lips large, and the `
` mouth wide; but these differences are common to all savage nations, `
` where the lineaments of the countenance are distorted, by the `
` natives suffering their infants to lie grovelling on the earth, or `
` by carrying them on their backs, nuzzling with their face against `
` the mothers' shoulders. The fore-feet of the Yahoo differed from `
` my hands in nothing else but the length of the nails, the `
` coarseness and brownness of the palms, and the hairiness on the `
` backs. There was the same resemblance between our feet, with the `
` same differences; which I knew very well, though the horses did `
` not, because of my shoes and stockings; the same in every part of `
` our bodies except as to hairiness and colour, which I have already `
` described. `
` `
` The great difficulty that seemed to stick with the two horses, was `
` to see the rest of my body so very different from that of a Yahoo, `
` for which I was obliged to my clothes, whereof they had no `
` conception. The sorrel nag offered me a root, which he held (after `
` their manner, as we shall describe in its proper place) between his `
` hoof and pastern; I took it in my hand, and, having smelt it, `
` returned it to him again as civilly as I could. He brought out of `
` the Yahoos' kennel a piece of ass's flesh; but it smelt so `
` offensively that I turned from it with loathing: he then threw it `
` to the Yahoo, by whom it was greedily devoured. He afterwards `
` showed me a wisp of hay, and a fetlock full of oats; but I shook my `
` head, to signify that neither of these were food for me. And `
` indeed I now apprehended that I must absolutely starve, if I did `
` not get to some of my own species; for as to those filthy Yahoos, `
` although there were few greater lovers of mankind at that time than `
` myself, yet I confess I never saw any sensitive being so detestable `
` on all accounts; and the more I came near them the more hateful `
` they grew, while I stayed in that country. This the master horse `
` observed by my behaviour, and therefore sent the Yahoo back to his `
` kennel. He then put his fore-hoof to his mouth, at which I was `
` much surprised, although he did it with ease, and with a motion `
` that appeared perfectly natural, and made other signs, to know what `
` I would eat; but I could not return him such an answer as he was `
` able to apprehend; and if he had understood me, I did not see how `
` it was possible to contrive any way for finding myself nourishment. `
` While we were thus engaged, I observed a cow passing by, whereupon `
` I pointed to her, and expressed a desire to go and milk her. This `
` had its effect; for he led me back into the house, and ordered a `
` mare-servant to open a room, where a good store of milk lay in `
` earthen and wooden vessels, after a very orderly and cleanly `
` manner. She gave me a large bowlful, of which I drank very `
` heartily, and found myself well refreshed. `
` `
` About noon, I saw coming towards the house a kind of vehicle drawn `
` like a sledge by four Yahoos. There was in it an old steed, who `
` seemed to be of quality; he alighted with his hind-feet forward, `
` having by accident got a hurt in his left fore-foot. He came to `
` dine with our horse, who received him with great civility. They `
` dined in the best room, and had oats boiled in milk for the second `
` course, which the old horse ate warm, but the rest cold. Their `
` mangers were placed circular in the middle of the room, and divided `
` into several partitions, round which they sat on their haunches, `
` upon bosses of straw. In the middle was a large rack, with angles `
` answering to every partition of the manger; so that each horse and `
` mare ate their own hay, and their own mash of oats and milk, with `
` much decency and regularity. The behaviour of the young colt and `
` foal appeared very modest, and that of the master and mistress `
` extremely cheerful and complaisant to their guest. The gray `
` ordered me to stand by him; and much discourse passed between him `
` and his friend concerning me, as I found by the stranger's often `
` looking on me, and the frequent repetition of the word Yahoo. `
` `
` I happened to wear my gloves, which the master gray observing, `
` seemed perplexed, discovering signs of wonder what I had done to my `
` fore-feet. He put his hoof three or four times to them, as if he `
` would signify, that I should reduce them to their former shape, `
` which I presently did, pulling off both my gloves, and putting them `
` into my pocket. This occasioned farther talk; and I saw the `
` company was pleased with my behaviour, whereof I soon found the `
` good effects. I was ordered to speak the few words I understood; `
` and while they were at dinner, the master taught me the names for `
` oats, milk, fire, water, and some others, which I could readily `
` pronounce after him, having from my youth a great facility in `
` learning languages. `
` `
` When dinner was done, the master horse took me aside, and by signs `
` and words made me understand the concern he was in that I had `
` nothing to eat. Oats in their tongue are called hlunnh. This word `
` I pronounced two or three times; for although I had refused them at `
` first, yet, upon second thoughts, I considered that I could `
` contrive to make of them a kind of bread, which might be `
` sufficient, with milk, to keep me alive, till I could make my `
` escape to some other country, and to creatures of my own species. `
` The horse immediately ordered a white mare servant of his family to `
` bring me a good quantity of oats in a sort of wooden tray. These I `
` heated before the fire, as well as I could, and rubbed them till `
` the husks came off, which I made a shift to winnow from the grain. `
` I ground and beat them between two stones; then took water, and `
` made them into a paste or cake, which I toasted at the fire and eat `
` warm with milk. It was at first a very insipid diet, though common `
` enough in many parts of Europe, but grew tolerable by time; and `
` having been often reduced to hard fare in my life, this was not the `
` first experiment I had made how easily nature is satisfied. And I `
` cannot but observe, that I never had one hours sickness while I `
` stayed in this island. It is true, I sometimes made a shift to `
` catch a rabbit, or bird, by springs made of Yahoo's hairs; and I `
` often gathered wholesome herbs, which I boiled, and ate as salads `
` with my bread; and now and then, for a rarity, I made a little `
` butter, and drank the whey. I was at first at a great loss for `
` salt, but custom soon reconciled me to the want of it; and I am `
` confident that the frequent use of salt among us is an effect of `
` luxury, and was first introduced only as a provocative to drink, `
` except where it is necessary for preserving flesh in long voyages, `
` or in places remote from great markets; for we observe no animal to `
` be fond of it but man, and as to myself, when I left this country, `
` it was a great while before I could endure the taste of it in `
`