Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
and swim for my life, rather than continue among Yahoos. But one `
` of the seamen prevented me, and having informed the captain, I was `
` chained to my cabin. `
` `
` After dinner, Don Pedro came to me, and desired to know my reason `
` for so desperate an attempt; assured me, "he only meant to do me `
` all the service he was able;" and spoke so very movingly, that at `
` last I descended to treat him like an animal which had some little `
` portion of reason. I gave him a very short relation of my voyage; `
` of the conspiracy against me by my own men; of the country where `
` they set me on shore, and of my five years residence there. All `
` which he looked upon as if it were a dream or a vision; whereat I `
` took great offence; for I had quite forgot the faculty of lying, so `
` peculiar to Yahoos, in all countries where they preside, and, `
` consequently, their disposition of suspecting truth in others of `
` their own species. I asked him, "whether it were the custom in his `
` country to say the thing which was not?" I assured him, "I had `
` almost forgot what he meant by falsehood, and if I had lived a `
` thousand years in Houyhnhnmland, I should never have heard a lie `
` from the meanest servant; that I was altogether indifferent whether `
` he believed me or not; but, however, in return for his favours, I `
` would give so much allowance to the corruption of his nature, as to `
` answer any objection he would please to make, and then he might `
` easily discover the truth." `
` `
` The captain, a wise man, after many endeavours to catch me tripping `
` in some part of my story, at last began to have a better opinion of `
` my veracity. But he added, "that since I professed so inviolable `
` an attachment to truth, I must give him my word and honour to bear `
` him company in this voyage, without attempting any thing against my `
` life; or else he would continue me a prisoner till we arrived at `
` Lisbon." I gave him the promise he required; but at the same time `
` protested, "that I would suffer the greatest hardships, rather than `
` return to live among Yahoos." `
` `
` Our voyage passed without any considerable accident. In gratitude `
` to the captain, I sometimes sat with him, at his earnest request, `
` and strove to conceal my antipathy against human kind, although it `
` often broke out; which he suffered to pass without observation. `
` But the greatest part of the day I confined myself to my cabin, to `
` avoid seeing any of the crew. The captain had often entreated me `
` to strip myself of my savage dress, and offered to lend me the best `
` suit of clothes he had. This I would not be prevailed on to `
` accept, abhorring to cover myself with any thing that had been on `
` the back of a Yahoo. I only desired he would lend me two clean `
` shirts, which, having been washed since he wore them, I believed `
` would not so much defile me. These I changed every second day, and `
` washed them myself. `
` `
` We arrived at Lisbon, Nov. 5, 1715. At our landing, the captain `
` forced me to cover myself with his cloak, to prevent the rabble `
` from crowding about me. I was conveyed to his own house; and at my `
` earnest request he led me up to the highest room backwards. I `
` conjured him "to conceal from all persons what I had told him of `
` the Houyhnhnms; because the least hint of such a story would not `
` only draw numbers of people to see me, but probably put me in `
` danger of being imprisoned, or burnt by the Inquisition." The `
` captain persuaded me to accept a suit of clothes newly made; but I `
` would not suffer the tailor to take my measure; however, Don Pedro `
` being almost of my size, they fitted me well enough. He accoutred `
` me with other necessaries, all new, which I aired for twenty-four `
` hours before I would use them. `
` `
` The captain had no wife, nor above three servants, none of which `
` were suffered to attend at meals; and his whole deportment was so `
` obliging, added to very good human understanding, that I really `
` began to tolerate his company. He gained so far upon me, that I `
` ventured to look out of the back window. By degrees I was brought `
` into another room, whence I peeped into the street, but drew my `
` head back in a fright. In a week's time he seduced me down to the `
` door. I found my terror gradually lessened, but my hatred and `
` contempt seemed to increase. I was at last bold enough to walk the `
` street in his company, but kept my nose well stopped with rue, or `
` sometimes with tobacco. `
` `
` In ten days, Don Pedro, to whom I had given some account of my `
` domestic affairs, put it upon me, as a matter of honour and `
` conscience, "that I ought to return to my native country, and live `
` at home with my wife and children." He told me, "there was an `
` English ship in the port just ready to sail, and he would furnish `
` me with all things necessary." It would be tedious to repeat his `
` arguments, and my contradictions. He said, "it was altogether `
` impossible to find such a solitary island as I desired to live in; `
` but I might command in my own house, and pass my time in a manner `
` as recluse as I pleased." `
` `
` I complied at last, finding I could not do better. I left Lisbon `
` the 24th day of November, in an English merchantman, but who was `
` the master I never inquired. Don Pedro accompanied me to the ship, `
` and lent me twenty pounds. He took kind leave of me, and embraced `
` me at parting, which I bore as well as I could. During this last `
` voyage I had no commerce with the master or any of his men; but, `
` pretending I was sick, kept close in my cabin. On the fifth of `
` December, 1715, we cast anchor in the Downs, about nine in the `
` morning, and at three in the afternoon I got safe to my house at `
` Rotherhith. `
` `
` My wife and family received me with great surprise and joy, because `
` they concluded me certainly dead; but I must freely confess the `
` sight of them filled me only with hatred, disgust, and contempt; `
` and the more, by reflecting on the near alliance I had to them. `
` For although, since my unfortunate exile from the Houyhnhnm `
` country, I had compelled myself to tolerate the sight of Yahoos, `
` and to converse with Don Pedro de Mendez, yet my memory and `
` imagination were perpetually filled with the virtues and ideas of `
` those exalted Houyhnhnms. And when I began to consider that, by `
` copulating with one of the Yahoo species I had become a parent of `
` more, it struck me with the utmost shame, confusion, and horror. `
` `
` As soon as I entered the house, my wife took me in her arms, and `
` kissed me; at which, having not been used to the touch of that `
` odious animal for so many years, I fell into a swoon for almost an `
` hour. At the time I am writing, it is five years since my last `
` return to England. During the first year, I could not endure my `
` wife or children in my presence; the very smell of them was `
` intolerable; much less could I suffer them to eat in the same room. `
` To this hour they dare not presume to touch my bread, or drink out `
` of the same cup, neither was I ever able to let one of them take me `
` by the hand. The first money I laid out was to buy two young `
` stone-horses, which I keep in a good stable; and next to them, the `
` groom is my greatest favourite, for I feel my spirits revived by `
` the smell he contracts in the stable. My horses understand me `
` tolerably well; I converse with them at least four hours every day. `
` They are strangers to bridle or saddle; they live in great amity `
` with me and friendship to each other. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER XII. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author's veracity. His design in publishing this work. His `
` censure of those travellers who swerve from the truth. The author `
` clears himself from any sinister ends in writing. An objection `
` answered. The method of planting colonies. His native country `
` commended. The right of the crown to those countries described by `
` the author is justified. The difficulty of conquering them. The `
` author takes his last leave of the reader; proposes his manner of `
` living for the future; gives good advice, and concludes.] `
` `
` Thus, gentle reader, I have given thee a faithful history of my `
` travels for sixteen years and above seven months: wherein I have `
` not been so studious of ornament as of truth. I could, perhaps, `
` like others, have astonished thee with strange improbable tales; `
` but I rather chose to relate plain matter of fact, in the simplest `
` manner and style; because my principal design was to inform, and `
` not to amuse thee. `
` `
` It is easy for us who travel into remote countries, which are `
` seldom visited by Englishmen or other Europeans, to form `
` descriptions of wonderful animals both at sea and land. Whereas a `
` traveller's chief aim should be to make men wiser and better, and `
` to improve their minds by the bad, as well as good, example of what `
` they deliver concerning foreign places. `
` `
` I could heartily wish a law was enacted, that every traveller, `
` before he were permitted to publish his voyages, should be obliged `
` to make oath before the Lord High Chancellor, that all he intended `
` to print was absolutely true to the best of his knowledge; for then `
` the world would no longer be deceived, as it usually is, while some `
` writers, to make their works pass the better upon the public, `
` impose the grossest falsities on the unwary reader. I have perused `
` several books of travels with great delight in my younger days; but `
` having since gone over most parts of the globe, and been able to `
` contradict many fabulous accounts from my own observation, it has `
` given me a great disgust against this part of reading, and some `
` indignation to see the credulity of mankind so impudently abused. `
` Therefore, since my acquaintance were pleased to think my poor `
` endeavours might not be unacceptable to my country, I imposed on `
` myself, as a maxim never to be swerved from, that I would strictly `
` adhere to truth; neither indeed can I be ever under the least `
` temptation to vary from it, while I retain in my mind the lectures `
` and example of my noble master and the other illustrious Houyhnhnms `
` of whom I had so long the honour to be an humble hearer. `
` `
` `
` - Nec si miserum Fortuna Sinonem `
` Finxit, vanum etiam, mendacemque improba finget. `
` `
` `
` I know very well, how little reputation is to be got by writings `
` which require neither genius nor learning, nor indeed any other `
` talent, except a good memory, or an exact journal. I know `
` likewise, that writers of travels, like dictionary-makers, are sunk `
` into oblivion by the weight and bulk of those who come last, and `
` therefore lie uppermost. And it is highly probable, that such `
` travellers, who shall hereafter visit the countries described in `
` this work of mine, may, by detecting my errors (if there be any), `
` and adding many new discoveries of their own, justle me out of `
` vogue, and stand in my place, making the world forget that ever I `
` was an author. This indeed would be too great a mortification, if `
` I wrote for fame: but as my sole intention was the public good, I `
` cannot be altogether disappointed. For who can read of the virtues `
` I have mentioned in the glorious Houyhnhnms, without being ashamed `
` of his own vices, when he considers himself as the reasoning, `
` governing animal of his country? I shall say nothing of those `
` remote nations where Yahoos preside; among which the least `
` corrupted are the Brobdingnagians; whose wise maxims in morality `
` and government it would be our happiness to observe. But I forbear `
` descanting further, and rather leave the judicious reader to his `
`
` of the seamen prevented me, and having informed the captain, I was `
` chained to my cabin. `
` `
` After dinner, Don Pedro came to me, and desired to know my reason `
` for so desperate an attempt; assured me, "he only meant to do me `
` all the service he was able;" and spoke so very movingly, that at `
` last I descended to treat him like an animal which had some little `
` portion of reason. I gave him a very short relation of my voyage; `
` of the conspiracy against me by my own men; of the country where `
` they set me on shore, and of my five years residence there. All `
` which he looked upon as if it were a dream or a vision; whereat I `
` took great offence; for I had quite forgot the faculty of lying, so `
` peculiar to Yahoos, in all countries where they preside, and, `
` consequently, their disposition of suspecting truth in others of `
` their own species. I asked him, "whether it were the custom in his `
` country to say the thing which was not?" I assured him, "I had `
` almost forgot what he meant by falsehood, and if I had lived a `
` thousand years in Houyhnhnmland, I should never have heard a lie `
` from the meanest servant; that I was altogether indifferent whether `
` he believed me or not; but, however, in return for his favours, I `
` would give so much allowance to the corruption of his nature, as to `
` answer any objection he would please to make, and then he might `
` easily discover the truth." `
` `
` The captain, a wise man, after many endeavours to catch me tripping `
` in some part of my story, at last began to have a better opinion of `
` my veracity. But he added, "that since I professed so inviolable `
` an attachment to truth, I must give him my word and honour to bear `
` him company in this voyage, without attempting any thing against my `
` life; or else he would continue me a prisoner till we arrived at `
` Lisbon." I gave him the promise he required; but at the same time `
` protested, "that I would suffer the greatest hardships, rather than `
` return to live among Yahoos." `
` `
` Our voyage passed without any considerable accident. In gratitude `
` to the captain, I sometimes sat with him, at his earnest request, `
` and strove to conceal my antipathy against human kind, although it `
` often broke out; which he suffered to pass without observation. `
` But the greatest part of the day I confined myself to my cabin, to `
` avoid seeing any of the crew. The captain had often entreated me `
` to strip myself of my savage dress, and offered to lend me the best `
` suit of clothes he had. This I would not be prevailed on to `
` accept, abhorring to cover myself with any thing that had been on `
` the back of a Yahoo. I only desired he would lend me two clean `
` shirts, which, having been washed since he wore them, I believed `
` would not so much defile me. These I changed every second day, and `
` washed them myself. `
` `
` We arrived at Lisbon, Nov. 5, 1715. At our landing, the captain `
` forced me to cover myself with his cloak, to prevent the rabble `
` from crowding about me. I was conveyed to his own house; and at my `
` earnest request he led me up to the highest room backwards. I `
` conjured him "to conceal from all persons what I had told him of `
` the Houyhnhnms; because the least hint of such a story would not `
` only draw numbers of people to see me, but probably put me in `
` danger of being imprisoned, or burnt by the Inquisition." The `
` captain persuaded me to accept a suit of clothes newly made; but I `
` would not suffer the tailor to take my measure; however, Don Pedro `
` being almost of my size, they fitted me well enough. He accoutred `
` me with other necessaries, all new, which I aired for twenty-four `
` hours before I would use them. `
` `
` The captain had no wife, nor above three servants, none of which `
` were suffered to attend at meals; and his whole deportment was so `
` obliging, added to very good human understanding, that I really `
` began to tolerate his company. He gained so far upon me, that I `
` ventured to look out of the back window. By degrees I was brought `
` into another room, whence I peeped into the street, but drew my `
` head back in a fright. In a week's time he seduced me down to the `
` door. I found my terror gradually lessened, but my hatred and `
` contempt seemed to increase. I was at last bold enough to walk the `
` street in his company, but kept my nose well stopped with rue, or `
` sometimes with tobacco. `
` `
` In ten days, Don Pedro, to whom I had given some account of my `
` domestic affairs, put it upon me, as a matter of honour and `
` conscience, "that I ought to return to my native country, and live `
` at home with my wife and children." He told me, "there was an `
` English ship in the port just ready to sail, and he would furnish `
` me with all things necessary." It would be tedious to repeat his `
` arguments, and my contradictions. He said, "it was altogether `
` impossible to find such a solitary island as I desired to live in; `
` but I might command in my own house, and pass my time in a manner `
` as recluse as I pleased." `
` `
` I complied at last, finding I could not do better. I left Lisbon `
` the 24th day of November, in an English merchantman, but who was `
` the master I never inquired. Don Pedro accompanied me to the ship, `
` and lent me twenty pounds. He took kind leave of me, and embraced `
` me at parting, which I bore as well as I could. During this last `
` voyage I had no commerce with the master or any of his men; but, `
` pretending I was sick, kept close in my cabin. On the fifth of `
` December, 1715, we cast anchor in the Downs, about nine in the `
` morning, and at three in the afternoon I got safe to my house at `
` Rotherhith. `
` `
` My wife and family received me with great surprise and joy, because `
` they concluded me certainly dead; but I must freely confess the `
` sight of them filled me only with hatred, disgust, and contempt; `
` and the more, by reflecting on the near alliance I had to them. `
` For although, since my unfortunate exile from the Houyhnhnm `
` country, I had compelled myself to tolerate the sight of Yahoos, `
` and to converse with Don Pedro de Mendez, yet my memory and `
` imagination were perpetually filled with the virtues and ideas of `
` those exalted Houyhnhnms. And when I began to consider that, by `
` copulating with one of the Yahoo species I had become a parent of `
` more, it struck me with the utmost shame, confusion, and horror. `
` `
` As soon as I entered the house, my wife took me in her arms, and `
` kissed me; at which, having not been used to the touch of that `
` odious animal for so many years, I fell into a swoon for almost an `
` hour. At the time I am writing, it is five years since my last `
` return to England. During the first year, I could not endure my `
` wife or children in my presence; the very smell of them was `
` intolerable; much less could I suffer them to eat in the same room. `
` To this hour they dare not presume to touch my bread, or drink out `
` of the same cup, neither was I ever able to let one of them take me `
` by the hand. The first money I laid out was to buy two young `
` stone-horses, which I keep in a good stable; and next to them, the `
` groom is my greatest favourite, for I feel my spirits revived by `
` the smell he contracts in the stable. My horses understand me `
` tolerably well; I converse with them at least four hours every day. `
` They are strangers to bridle or saddle; they live in great amity `
` with me and friendship to each other. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER XII. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author's veracity. His design in publishing this work. His `
` censure of those travellers who swerve from the truth. The author `
` clears himself from any sinister ends in writing. An objection `
` answered. The method of planting colonies. His native country `
` commended. The right of the crown to those countries described by `
` the author is justified. The difficulty of conquering them. The `
` author takes his last leave of the reader; proposes his manner of `
` living for the future; gives good advice, and concludes.] `
` `
` Thus, gentle reader, I have given thee a faithful history of my `
` travels for sixteen years and above seven months: wherein I have `
` not been so studious of ornament as of truth. I could, perhaps, `
` like others, have astonished thee with strange improbable tales; `
` but I rather chose to relate plain matter of fact, in the simplest `
` manner and style; because my principal design was to inform, and `
` not to amuse thee. `
` `
` It is easy for us who travel into remote countries, which are `
` seldom visited by Englishmen or other Europeans, to form `
` descriptions of wonderful animals both at sea and land. Whereas a `
` traveller's chief aim should be to make men wiser and better, and `
` to improve their minds by the bad, as well as good, example of what `
` they deliver concerning foreign places. `
` `
` I could heartily wish a law was enacted, that every traveller, `
` before he were permitted to publish his voyages, should be obliged `
` to make oath before the Lord High Chancellor, that all he intended `
` to print was absolutely true to the best of his knowledge; for then `
` the world would no longer be deceived, as it usually is, while some `
` writers, to make their works pass the better upon the public, `
` impose the grossest falsities on the unwary reader. I have perused `
` several books of travels with great delight in my younger days; but `
` having since gone over most parts of the globe, and been able to `
` contradict many fabulous accounts from my own observation, it has `
` given me a great disgust against this part of reading, and some `
` indignation to see the credulity of mankind so impudently abused. `
` Therefore, since my acquaintance were pleased to think my poor `
` endeavours might not be unacceptable to my country, I imposed on `
` myself, as a maxim never to be swerved from, that I would strictly `
` adhere to truth; neither indeed can I be ever under the least `
` temptation to vary from it, while I retain in my mind the lectures `
` and example of my noble master and the other illustrious Houyhnhnms `
` of whom I had so long the honour to be an humble hearer. `
` `
` `
` - Nec si miserum Fortuna Sinonem `
` Finxit, vanum etiam, mendacemque improba finget. `
` `
` `
` I know very well, how little reputation is to be got by writings `
` which require neither genius nor learning, nor indeed any other `
` talent, except a good memory, or an exact journal. I know `
` likewise, that writers of travels, like dictionary-makers, are sunk `
` into oblivion by the weight and bulk of those who come last, and `
` therefore lie uppermost. And it is highly probable, that such `
` travellers, who shall hereafter visit the countries described in `
` this work of mine, may, by detecting my errors (if there be any), `
` and adding many new discoveries of their own, justle me out of `
` vogue, and stand in my place, making the world forget that ever I `
` was an author. This indeed would be too great a mortification, if `
` I wrote for fame: but as my sole intention was the public good, I `
` cannot be altogether disappointed. For who can read of the virtues `
` I have mentioned in the glorious Houyhnhnms, without being ashamed `
` of his own vices, when he considers himself as the reasoning, `
` governing animal of his country? I shall say nothing of those `
` remote nations where Yahoos preside; among which the least `
` corrupted are the Brobdingnagians; whose wise maxims in morality `
` and government it would be our happiness to observe. But I forbear `
` descanting further, and rather leave the judicious reader to his `
`