Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
My master's design was to show me in all the towns by the way, and `
` to step out of the road for fifty or a hundred miles, to any `
` village, or person of quality's house, where he might expect `
` custom. We made easy journeys, of not above seven or eight score `
` miles a-day; for Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare me, complained `
` she was tired with the trotting of the horse. She often took me `
` out of my box, at my own desire, to give me air, and show me the `
` country, but always held me fast by a leading-string. We passed `
` over five or six rivers, many degrees broader and deeper than the `
` Nile or the Ganges: and there was hardly a rivulet so small as the `
` Thames at London-bridge. We were ten weeks in our journey, and I `
` was shown in eighteen large towns, besides many villages, and `
` private families. `
` `
` On the 26th day of October we arrived at the metropolis, called in `
` their language Lorbrulgrud, or Pride of the Universe. My master `
` took a lodging in the principal street of the city, not far from `
` the royal palace, and put out bills in the usual form, containing `
` an exact description of my person and parts. He hired a large room `
` between three and four hundred feet wide. He provided a table `
` sixty feet in diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and `
` pallisadoed it round three feet from the edge, and as many high, to `
` prevent my falling over. I was shown ten times a-day, to the `
` wonder and satisfaction of all people. I could now speak the `
` language tolerably well, and perfectly understood every word, that `
` was spoken to me. Besides, I had learnt their alphabet, and could `
` make a shift to explain a sentence here and there; for `
` Glumdalclitch had been my instructor while we were at home, and at `
` leisure hours during our journey. She carried a little book in her `
` pocket, not much larger than a Sanson's Atlas; it was a common `
` treatise for the use of young girls, giving a short account of `
` their religion: out of this she taught me my letters, and `
` interpreted the words. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER III. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author sent for to court. The queen buys him of his master `
` the farmer, and presents him to the king. He disputes with his `
` majesty's great scholars. An apartment at court provided for the `
` author. He is in high favour with the queen. He stands up for the `
` honour of his own country. His quarrels with the queen's dwarf.] `
` `
` The frequent labours I underwent every day, made, in a few weeks, a `
` very considerable change in my health: the more my master got by `
` me, the more insatiable he grew. I had quite lost my stomach, and `
` was almost reduced to a skeleton. The farmer observed it, and `
` concluding I must soon die, resolved to make as good a hand of me `
` as he could. While he was thus reasoning and resolving with `
` himself, a sardral, or gentleman-usher, came from court, commanding `
` my master to carry me immediately thither for the diversion of the `
` queen and her ladies. Some of the latter had already been to see `
` me, and reported strange things of my beauty, behaviour, and good `
` sense. Her majesty, and those who attended her, were beyond `
` measure delighted with my demeanour. I fell on my knees, and `
` begged the honour of kissing her imperial foot; but this gracious `
` princess held out her little finger towards me, after I was set on `
` the table, which I embraced in both my arms, and put the tip of it `
` with the utmost respect to my lip. She made me some general `
` questions about my country and my travels, which I answered as `
` distinctly, and in as few words as I could. She asked, "whether I `
` could be content to live at court?" I bowed down to the board of `
` the table, and humbly answered "that I was my master's slave: but, `
` if I were at my own disposal, I should be proud to devote my life `
` to her majesty's service." She then asked my master, "whether he `
` was willing to sell me at a good price?" He, who apprehended I `
` could not live a month, was ready enough to part with me, and `
` demanded a thousand pieces of gold, which were ordered him on the `
` spot, each piece being about the bigness of eight hundred moidores; `
` but allowing for the proportion of all things between that country `
` and Europe, and the high price of gold among them, was hardly so `
` great a sum as a thousand guineas would be in England. I then said `
` to the queen, "since I was now her majesty's most humble creature `
` and vassal, I must beg the favour, that Glumdalclitch, who had `
` always tended me with so much care and kindness, and understood to `
` do it so well, might be admitted into her service, and continue to `
` be my nurse and instructor." `
` `
` Her majesty agreed to my petition, and easily got the farmer's `
` consent, who was glad enough to have his daughter preferred at `
` court, and the poor girl herself was not able to hide her joy. My `
` late master withdrew, bidding me farewell, and saying he had left `
` me in a good service; to which I replied not a word, only making `
` him a slight bow. `
` `
` The queen observed my coldness; and, when the farmer was gone out `
` of the apartment, asked me the reason. I made bold to tell her `
` majesty, "that I owed no other obligation to my late master, than `
` his not dashing out the brains of a poor harmless creature, found `
` by chance in his fields: which obligation was amply recompensed, `
` by the gain he had made in showing me through half the kingdom, and `
` the price he had now sold me for. That the life I had since led `
` was laborious enough to kill an animal of ten times my strength. `
` That my health was much impaired, by the continual drudgery of `
` entertaining the rabble every hour of the day; and that, if my `
` master had not thought my life in danger, her majesty would not `
` have got so cheap a bargain. But as I was out of all fear of being `
` ill-treated under the protection of so great and good an empress, `
` the ornament of nature, the darling of the world, the delight of `
` her subjects, the phoenix of the creation, so I hoped my late `
` master's apprehensions would appear to be groundless; for I already `
` found my spirits revive, by the influence of her most august `
` presence." `
` `
` This was the sum of my speech, delivered with great improprieties `
` and hesitation. The latter part was altogether framed in the style `
` peculiar to that people, whereof I learned some phrases from `
` Glumdalclitch, while she was carrying me to court. `
` `
` The queen, giving great allowance for my defectiveness in speaking, `
` was, however, surprised at so much wit and good sense in so `
` diminutive an animal. She took me in her own hand, and carried me `
` to the king, who was then retired to his cabinet. His majesty, a `
` prince of much gravity and austere countenance, not well observing `
` my shape at first view, asked the queen after a cold manner "how `
` long it was since she grew fond of a splacnuck?" for such it seems `
` he took me to be, as I lay upon my breast in her majesty's right `
` hand. But this princess, who has an infinite deal of wit and `
` humour, set me gently on my feet upon the scrutoire, and commanded `
` me to give his majesty an account of myself, which I did in a very `
` few words: and Glumdalclitch who attended at the cabinet door, and `
` could not endure I should be out of her sight, being admitted, `
` confirmed all that had passed from my arrival at her father's `
` house. `
` `
` The king, although he be as learned a person as any in his `
` dominions, had been educated in the study of philosophy, and `
` particularly mathematics; yet when he observed my shape exactly, `
` and saw me walk erect, before I began to speak, conceived I might `
` be a piece of clock-work (which is in that country arrived to a `
` very great perfection) contrived by some ingenious artist. But `
` when he heard my voice, and found what I delivered to be regular `
` and rational, he could not conceal his astonishment. He was by no `
` means satisfied with the relation I gave him of the manner I came `
` into his kingdom, but thought it a story concerted between `
` Glumdalclitch and her father, who had taught me a set of words to `
` make me sell at a better price. Upon this imagination, he put `
` several other questions to me, and still received rational answers: `
` no otherwise defective than by a foreign accent, and an imperfect `
` knowledge in the language, with some rustic phrases which I had `
` learned at the farmer's house, and did not suit the polite style of `
` a court. `
` `
` His majesty sent for three great scholars, who were then in their `
` weekly waiting, according to the custom in that country. These `
` gentlemen, after they had a while examined my shape with much `
` nicety, were of different opinions concerning me. They all agreed `
` that I could not be produced according to the regular laws of `
` nature, because I was not framed with a capacity of preserving my `
` life, either by swiftness, or climbing of trees, or digging holes `
` in the earth. They observed by my teeth, which they viewed with `
` great exactness, that I was a carnivorous animal; yet most `
` quadrupeds being an overmatch for me, and field mice, with some `
` others, too nimble, they could not imagine how I should be able to `
` support myself, unless I fed upon snails and other insects, which `
` they offered, by many learned arguments, to evince that I could not `
` possibly do. One of these virtuosi seemed to think that I might be `
` an embryo, or abortive birth. But this opinion was rejected by the `
` other two, who observed my limbs to be perfect and finished; and `
` that I had lived several years, as it was manifest from my beard, `
` the stumps whereof they plainly discovered through a magnifying `
` glass. They would not allow me to be a dwarf, because my `
` littleness was beyond all degrees of comparison; for the queen's `
` favourite dwarf, the smallest ever known in that kingdom, was near `
` thirty feet high. After much debate, they concluded unanimously, `
` that I was only relplum scalcath, which is interpreted literally `
` lusus naturae; a determination exactly agreeable to the modern `
` philosophy of Europe, whose professors, disdaining the old evasion `
` of occult causes, whereby the followers of Aristotle endeavoured in `
` vain to disguise their ignorance, have invented this wonderful `
` solution of all difficulties, to the unspeakable advancement of `
` human knowledge. `
` `
` After this decisive conclusion, I entreated to be heard a word or `
` two. I applied myself to the king, and assured his majesty, "that `
` I came from a country which abounded with several millions of both `
` sexes, and of my own stature; where the animals, trees, and houses, `
` were all in proportion, and where, by consequence, I might be as `
` able to defend myself, and to find sustenance, as any of his `
` majesty's subjects could do here; which I took for a full answer to `
` those gentlemen's arguments." To this they only replied with a `
` smile of contempt, saying, "that the farmer had instructed me very `
` well in my lesson." The king, who had a much better understanding, `
` dismissing his learned men, sent for the farmer, who by good `
` fortune was not yet gone out of town. Having therefore first `
` examined him privately, and then confronted him with me and the `
` young girl, his majesty began to think that what we told him might `
` possibly be true. He desired the queen to order that a particular `
` care should be taken of me; and was of opinion that Glumdalclitch `
` should still continue in her office of tending me, because he `
` observed we had a great affection for each other. A convenient `
` apartment was provided for her at court: she had a sort of `
` governess appointed to take care of her education, a maid to dress `
` her, and two other servants for menial offices; but the care of me `
` was wholly appropriated to herself. The queen commanded her own `
` cabinet-maker to contrive a box, that might serve me for a `
` bedchamber, after the model that Glumdalclitch and I should agree `
` upon. This man was a most ingenious artist, and according to my `
`
` to step out of the road for fifty or a hundred miles, to any `
` village, or person of quality's house, where he might expect `
` custom. We made easy journeys, of not above seven or eight score `
` miles a-day; for Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare me, complained `
` she was tired with the trotting of the horse. She often took me `
` out of my box, at my own desire, to give me air, and show me the `
` country, but always held me fast by a leading-string. We passed `
` over five or six rivers, many degrees broader and deeper than the `
` Nile or the Ganges: and there was hardly a rivulet so small as the `
` Thames at London-bridge. We were ten weeks in our journey, and I `
` was shown in eighteen large towns, besides many villages, and `
` private families. `
` `
` On the 26th day of October we arrived at the metropolis, called in `
` their language Lorbrulgrud, or Pride of the Universe. My master `
` took a lodging in the principal street of the city, not far from `
` the royal palace, and put out bills in the usual form, containing `
` an exact description of my person and parts. He hired a large room `
` between three and four hundred feet wide. He provided a table `
` sixty feet in diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and `
` pallisadoed it round three feet from the edge, and as many high, to `
` prevent my falling over. I was shown ten times a-day, to the `
` wonder and satisfaction of all people. I could now speak the `
` language tolerably well, and perfectly understood every word, that `
` was spoken to me. Besides, I had learnt their alphabet, and could `
` make a shift to explain a sentence here and there; for `
` Glumdalclitch had been my instructor while we were at home, and at `
` leisure hours during our journey. She carried a little book in her `
` pocket, not much larger than a Sanson's Atlas; it was a common `
` treatise for the use of young girls, giving a short account of `
` their religion: out of this she taught me my letters, and `
` interpreted the words. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER III. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author sent for to court. The queen buys him of his master `
` the farmer, and presents him to the king. He disputes with his `
` majesty's great scholars. An apartment at court provided for the `
` author. He is in high favour with the queen. He stands up for the `
` honour of his own country. His quarrels with the queen's dwarf.] `
` `
` The frequent labours I underwent every day, made, in a few weeks, a `
` very considerable change in my health: the more my master got by `
` me, the more insatiable he grew. I had quite lost my stomach, and `
` was almost reduced to a skeleton. The farmer observed it, and `
` concluding I must soon die, resolved to make as good a hand of me `
` as he could. While he was thus reasoning and resolving with `
` himself, a sardral, or gentleman-usher, came from court, commanding `
` my master to carry me immediately thither for the diversion of the `
` queen and her ladies. Some of the latter had already been to see `
` me, and reported strange things of my beauty, behaviour, and good `
` sense. Her majesty, and those who attended her, were beyond `
` measure delighted with my demeanour. I fell on my knees, and `
` begged the honour of kissing her imperial foot; but this gracious `
` princess held out her little finger towards me, after I was set on `
` the table, which I embraced in both my arms, and put the tip of it `
` with the utmost respect to my lip. She made me some general `
` questions about my country and my travels, which I answered as `
` distinctly, and in as few words as I could. She asked, "whether I `
` could be content to live at court?" I bowed down to the board of `
` the table, and humbly answered "that I was my master's slave: but, `
` if I were at my own disposal, I should be proud to devote my life `
` to her majesty's service." She then asked my master, "whether he `
` was willing to sell me at a good price?" He, who apprehended I `
` could not live a month, was ready enough to part with me, and `
` demanded a thousand pieces of gold, which were ordered him on the `
` spot, each piece being about the bigness of eight hundred moidores; `
` but allowing for the proportion of all things between that country `
` and Europe, and the high price of gold among them, was hardly so `
` great a sum as a thousand guineas would be in England. I then said `
` to the queen, "since I was now her majesty's most humble creature `
` and vassal, I must beg the favour, that Glumdalclitch, who had `
` always tended me with so much care and kindness, and understood to `
` do it so well, might be admitted into her service, and continue to `
` be my nurse and instructor." `
` `
` Her majesty agreed to my petition, and easily got the farmer's `
` consent, who was glad enough to have his daughter preferred at `
` court, and the poor girl herself was not able to hide her joy. My `
` late master withdrew, bidding me farewell, and saying he had left `
` me in a good service; to which I replied not a word, only making `
` him a slight bow. `
` `
` The queen observed my coldness; and, when the farmer was gone out `
` of the apartment, asked me the reason. I made bold to tell her `
` majesty, "that I owed no other obligation to my late master, than `
` his not dashing out the brains of a poor harmless creature, found `
` by chance in his fields: which obligation was amply recompensed, `
` by the gain he had made in showing me through half the kingdom, and `
` the price he had now sold me for. That the life I had since led `
` was laborious enough to kill an animal of ten times my strength. `
` That my health was much impaired, by the continual drudgery of `
` entertaining the rabble every hour of the day; and that, if my `
` master had not thought my life in danger, her majesty would not `
` have got so cheap a bargain. But as I was out of all fear of being `
` ill-treated under the protection of so great and good an empress, `
` the ornament of nature, the darling of the world, the delight of `
` her subjects, the phoenix of the creation, so I hoped my late `
` master's apprehensions would appear to be groundless; for I already `
` found my spirits revive, by the influence of her most august `
` presence." `
` `
` This was the sum of my speech, delivered with great improprieties `
` and hesitation. The latter part was altogether framed in the style `
` peculiar to that people, whereof I learned some phrases from `
` Glumdalclitch, while she was carrying me to court. `
` `
` The queen, giving great allowance for my defectiveness in speaking, `
` was, however, surprised at so much wit and good sense in so `
` diminutive an animal. She took me in her own hand, and carried me `
` to the king, who was then retired to his cabinet. His majesty, a `
` prince of much gravity and austere countenance, not well observing `
` my shape at first view, asked the queen after a cold manner "how `
` long it was since she grew fond of a splacnuck?" for such it seems `
` he took me to be, as I lay upon my breast in her majesty's right `
` hand. But this princess, who has an infinite deal of wit and `
` humour, set me gently on my feet upon the scrutoire, and commanded `
` me to give his majesty an account of myself, which I did in a very `
` few words: and Glumdalclitch who attended at the cabinet door, and `
` could not endure I should be out of her sight, being admitted, `
` confirmed all that had passed from my arrival at her father's `
` house. `
` `
` The king, although he be as learned a person as any in his `
` dominions, had been educated in the study of philosophy, and `
` particularly mathematics; yet when he observed my shape exactly, `
` and saw me walk erect, before I began to speak, conceived I might `
` be a piece of clock-work (which is in that country arrived to a `
` very great perfection) contrived by some ingenious artist. But `
` when he heard my voice, and found what I delivered to be regular `
` and rational, he could not conceal his astonishment. He was by no `
` means satisfied with the relation I gave him of the manner I came `
` into his kingdom, but thought it a story concerted between `
` Glumdalclitch and her father, who had taught me a set of words to `
` make me sell at a better price. Upon this imagination, he put `
` several other questions to me, and still received rational answers: `
` no otherwise defective than by a foreign accent, and an imperfect `
` knowledge in the language, with some rustic phrases which I had `
` learned at the farmer's house, and did not suit the polite style of `
` a court. `
` `
` His majesty sent for three great scholars, who were then in their `
` weekly waiting, according to the custom in that country. These `
` gentlemen, after they had a while examined my shape with much `
` nicety, were of different opinions concerning me. They all agreed `
` that I could not be produced according to the regular laws of `
` nature, because I was not framed with a capacity of preserving my `
` life, either by swiftness, or climbing of trees, or digging holes `
` in the earth. They observed by my teeth, which they viewed with `
` great exactness, that I was a carnivorous animal; yet most `
` quadrupeds being an overmatch for me, and field mice, with some `
` others, too nimble, they could not imagine how I should be able to `
` support myself, unless I fed upon snails and other insects, which `
` they offered, by many learned arguments, to evince that I could not `
` possibly do. One of these virtuosi seemed to think that I might be `
` an embryo, or abortive birth. But this opinion was rejected by the `
` other two, who observed my limbs to be perfect and finished; and `
` that I had lived several years, as it was manifest from my beard, `
` the stumps whereof they plainly discovered through a magnifying `
` glass. They would not allow me to be a dwarf, because my `
` littleness was beyond all degrees of comparison; for the queen's `
` favourite dwarf, the smallest ever known in that kingdom, was near `
` thirty feet high. After much debate, they concluded unanimously, `
` that I was only relplum scalcath, which is interpreted literally `
` lusus naturae; a determination exactly agreeable to the modern `
` philosophy of Europe, whose professors, disdaining the old evasion `
` of occult causes, whereby the followers of Aristotle endeavoured in `
` vain to disguise their ignorance, have invented this wonderful `
` solution of all difficulties, to the unspeakable advancement of `
` human knowledge. `
` `
` After this decisive conclusion, I entreated to be heard a word or `
` two. I applied myself to the king, and assured his majesty, "that `
` I came from a country which abounded with several millions of both `
` sexes, and of my own stature; where the animals, trees, and houses, `
` were all in proportion, and where, by consequence, I might be as `
` able to defend myself, and to find sustenance, as any of his `
` majesty's subjects could do here; which I took for a full answer to `
` those gentlemen's arguments." To this they only replied with a `
` smile of contempt, saying, "that the farmer had instructed me very `
` well in my lesson." The king, who had a much better understanding, `
` dismissing his learned men, sent for the farmer, who by good `
` fortune was not yet gone out of town. Having therefore first `
` examined him privately, and then confronted him with me and the `
` young girl, his majesty began to think that what we told him might `
` possibly be true. He desired the queen to order that a particular `
` care should be taken of me; and was of opinion that Glumdalclitch `
` should still continue in her office of tending me, because he `
` observed we had a great affection for each other. A convenient `
` apartment was provided for her at court: she had a sort of `
` governess appointed to take care of her education, a maid to dress `
` her, and two other servants for menial offices; but the care of me `
` was wholly appropriated to herself. The queen commanded her own `
` cabinet-maker to contrive a box, that might serve me for a `
` bedchamber, after the model that Glumdalclitch and I should agree `
` upon. This man was a most ingenious artist, and according to my `
`