Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part I
horror, by remembering the oath I had made to the emperor, the `
` favours I received from him, and the high title of nardac he `
` conferred upon me. Neither had I so soon learned the gratitude of `
` courtiers, to persuade myself, that his majesty's present seventies `
` acquitted me of all past obligations. `
` `
` At last, I fixed upon a resolution, for which it is probable I may `
` incur some censure, and not unjustly; for I confess I owe the `
` preserving of mine eyes, and consequently my liberty, to my own `
` great rashness and want of experience; because, if I had then known `
` the nature of princes and ministers, which I have since observed in `
` many other courts, and their methods of treating criminals less `
` obnoxious than myself, I should, with great alacrity and readiness, `
` have submitted to so easy a punishment. But hurried on by the `
` precipitancy of youth, and having his imperial majesty's license to `
` pay my attendance upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I took this `
` opportunity, before the three days were elapsed, to send a letter `
` to my friend the secretary, signifying my resolution of setting out `
` that morning for Blefuscu, pursuant to the leave I had got; and, `
` without waiting for an answer, I went to that side of the island `
` where our fleet lay. I seized a large man of war, tied a cable to `
` the prow, and, lifting up the anchors, I stripped myself, put my `
` clothes (together with my coverlet, which I carried under my arm) `
` into the vessel, and, drawing it after me, between wading and `
` swimming arrived at the royal port of Blefuscu, where the people `
` had long expected me: they lent me two guides to direct me to the `
` capital city, which is of the same name. I held them in my hands, `
` till I came within two hundred yards of the gate, and desired them `
` "to signify my arrival to one of the secretaries, and let him know, `
` I there waited his majesty's command." I had an answer in about an `
` hour, "that his majesty, attended by the royal family, and great `
` officers of the court, was coming out to receive me." I advanced a `
` hundred yards. The emperor and his train alighted from their `
` horses, the empress and ladies from their coaches, and I did not `
` perceive they were in any fright or concern. I lay on the ground `
` to kiss his majesty's and the empress's hands. I told his majesty, `
` "that I was come according to my promise, and with the license of `
` the emperor my master, to have the honour of seeing so mighty a `
` monarch, and to offer him any service in my power, consistent with `
` my duty to my own prince;" not mentioning a word of my disgrace, `
` because I had hitherto no regular information of it, and might `
` suppose myself wholly ignorant of any such design; neither could I `
` reasonably conceive that the emperor would discover the secret, `
` while I was out of his power; wherein, however, it soon appeared I `
` was deceived. `
` `
` I shall not trouble the reader with the particular account of my `
` reception at this court, which was suitable to the generosity of so `
` great a prince; nor of the difficulties I was in for want of a `
` house and bed, being forced to lie on the ground, wrapped up in my `
` coverlet. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER VIII. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; `
` and, after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country.] `
` `
` Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the north- `
` east coast of the island, I observed, about half a league off in `
` the sea, somewhat that looked like a boat overturned. I pulled off `
` my shoes and stockings, and, wailing two or three hundred yards, I `
` found the object to approach nearer by force of the tide; and then `
` plainly saw it to be a real boat, which I supposed might by some `
` tempest have been driven from a ship. Whereupon, I returned `
` immediately towards the city, and desired his imperial majesty to `
` lend me twenty of the tallest vessels he had left, after the loss `
` of his fleet, and three thousand seamen, under the command of his `
` vice-admiral. This fleet sailed round, while I went back the `
` shortest way to the coast, where I first discovered the boat. I `
` found the tide had driven it still nearer. The seamen were all `
` provided with cordage, which I had beforehand twisted to a `
` sufficient strength. When the ships came up, I stripped myself, `
` and waded till I came within a hundred yards off the boat, after `
` which I was forced to swim till I got up to it. The seamen threw `
` me the end of the cord, which I fastened to a hole in the fore-part `
` of the boat, and the other end to a man of war; but I found all my `
` labour to little purpose; for, being out of my depth, I was not `
` able to work. In this necessity I was forced to swim behind, and `
` push the boat forward, as often as I could, with one of my hands; `
` and the tide favouring me, I advanced so far that I could just hold `
` up my chin and feel the ground. I rested two or three minutes, and `
` then gave the boat another shove, and so on, till the sea was no `
` higher than my arm-pits; and now, the most laborious part being `
` over, I took out my other cables, which were stowed in one of the `
` ships, and fastened them first to the boat, and then to nine of the `
` vessels which attended me; the wind being favourable, the seamen `
` towed, and I shoved, until we arrived within forty yards of the `
` shore; and, waiting till the tide was out, I got dry to the boat, `
` and by the assistance of two thousand men, with ropes and engines, `
` I made a shift to turn it on its bottom, and found it was but `
` little damaged. `
` `
` I shall not trouble the reader with the difficulties I was under, `
` by the help of certain paddles, which cost me ten days making, to `
` get my boat to the royal port of Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse `
` of people appeared upon my arrival, full of wonder at the sight of `
` so prodigious a vessel. I told the emperor "that my good fortune `
` had thrown this boat in my way, to carry me to some place whence I `
` might return into my native country; and begged his majesty's `
` orders for getting materials to fit it up, together with his `
` license to depart;" which, after some kind expostulations, he was `
` pleased to grant. `
` `
` I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heard of any `
` express relating to me from our emperor to the court of Blefuscu. `
` But I was afterward given privately to understand, that his `
` imperial majesty, never imagining I had the least notice of his `
` designs, believed I was only gone to Blefuscu in performance of my `
` promise, according to the license he had given me, which was well `
` known at our court, and would return in a few days, when the `
` ceremony was ended. But he was at last in pain at my long absence; `
` and after consulting with the treasurer and the rest of that cabal, `
` a person of quality was dispatched with the copy of the articles `
` against me. This envoy had instructions to represent to the `
` monarch of Blefuscu, "the great lenity of his master, who was `
` content to punish me no farther than with the loss of mine eyes; `
` that I had fled from justice; and if I did not return in two hours, `
` I should be deprived of my title of nardac, and declared a `
` traitor." The envoy further added, "that in order to maintain the `
` peace and amity between both empires, his master expected that his `
` brother of Blefuscu would give orders to have me sent back to `
` Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be punished as a traitor." `
` `
` The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days to consult, `
` returned an answer consisting of many civilities and excuses. He `
` said, "that as for sending me bound, his brother knew it was `
` impossible; that, although I had deprived him of his fleet, yet he `
` owed great obligations to me for many good offices I had done him `
` in making the peace. That, however, both their majesties would `
` soon be made easy; for I had found a prodigious vessel on the `
` shore, able to carry me on the sea, which he had given orders to `
` fit up, with my own assistance and direction; and he hoped, in a `
` few weeks, both empires would be freed from so insupportable an `
` encumbrance." `
` `
` With this answer the envoy returned to Lilliput; and the monarch of `
` Blefuscu related to me all that had passed; offering me at the same `
` time (but under the strictest confidence) his gracious protection, `
` if I would continue in his service; wherein, although I believed `
` him sincere, yet I resolved never more to put any confidence in `
` princes or ministers, where I could possibly avoid it; and `
` therefore, with all due acknowledgments for his favourable `
` intentions, I humbly begged to be excused. I told him, "that since `
` fortune, whether good or evil, had thrown a vessel in my way, I was `
` resolved to venture myself on the ocean, rather than be an occasion `
` of difference between two such mighty monarchs." Neither did I `
` find the emperor at all displeased; and I discovered, by a certain `
` accident, that he was very glad of my resolution, and so were most `
` of his ministers. `
` `
` These considerations moved me to hasten my departure somewhat `
` sooner than I intended; to which the court, impatient to have me `
` gone, very readily contributed. Five hundred workmen were employed `
` to make two sails to my boat, according to my directions, by `
` quilting thirteen folds of their strongest linen together. I was `
` at the pains of making ropes and cables, by twisting ten, twenty, `
` or thirty of the thickest and strongest of theirs. A great stone `
` that I happened to find, after a long search, by the sea-shore, `
` served me for an anchor. I had the tallow of three hundred cows, `
` for greasing my boat, and other uses. I was at incredible pains in `
` cutting down some of the largest timber-trees, for oars and masts, `
` wherein I was, however, much assisted by his majesty's ship- `
` carpenters, who helped me in smoothing them, after I had done the `
` rough work. `
` `
` In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent to receive his `
` majesty's commands, and to take my leave. The emperor and royal `
` family came out of the palace; I lay down on my face to kiss his `
` hand, which he very graciously gave me: so did the empress and `
` young princes of the blood. His majesty presented me with fifty `
` purses of two hundred sprugs a-piece, together with his picture at `
` full length, which I put immediately into one of my gloves, to keep `
` it from being hurt. The ceremonies at my departure were too many `
` to trouble the reader with at this time. `
` `
` I stored the boat with the carcases of a hundred oxen, and three `
` hundred sheep, with bread and drink proportionable, and as much `
` meat ready dressed as four hundred cooks could provide. I took `
` with me six cows and two bulls alive, with as many ewes and rams, `
` intending to carry them into my own country, and propagate the `
` breed. And to feed them on board, I had a good bundle of hay, and `
` a bag of corn. I would gladly have taken a dozen of the natives, `
` but this was a thing the emperor would by no means permit; and, `
` besides a diligent search into my pockets, his majesty engaged my `
` honour "not to carry away any of his subjects, although with their `
` own consent and desire." `
` `
` Having thus prepared all things as well as I was able, I set sail `
` on the twenty-fourth day of September 1701, at six in the morning; `
` and when I had gone about four-leagues to the northward, the wind `
` being at south-east, at six in the evening I descried a small `
` island, about half a league to the north-west. I advanced forward, `
` and cast anchor on the lee-side of the island, which seemed to be `
` uninhabited. I then took some refreshment, and went to my rest. I `
` slept well, and as I conjectured at least six hours, for I found `
` the day broke in two hours after I awaked. It was a clear night. `
` I ate my breakfast before the sun was up; and heaving anchor, the `
`
` favours I received from him, and the high title of nardac he `
` conferred upon me. Neither had I so soon learned the gratitude of `
` courtiers, to persuade myself, that his majesty's present seventies `
` acquitted me of all past obligations. `
` `
` At last, I fixed upon a resolution, for which it is probable I may `
` incur some censure, and not unjustly; for I confess I owe the `
` preserving of mine eyes, and consequently my liberty, to my own `
` great rashness and want of experience; because, if I had then known `
` the nature of princes and ministers, which I have since observed in `
` many other courts, and their methods of treating criminals less `
` obnoxious than myself, I should, with great alacrity and readiness, `
` have submitted to so easy a punishment. But hurried on by the `
` precipitancy of youth, and having his imperial majesty's license to `
` pay my attendance upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I took this `
` opportunity, before the three days were elapsed, to send a letter `
` to my friend the secretary, signifying my resolution of setting out `
` that morning for Blefuscu, pursuant to the leave I had got; and, `
` without waiting for an answer, I went to that side of the island `
` where our fleet lay. I seized a large man of war, tied a cable to `
` the prow, and, lifting up the anchors, I stripped myself, put my `
` clothes (together with my coverlet, which I carried under my arm) `
` into the vessel, and, drawing it after me, between wading and `
` swimming arrived at the royal port of Blefuscu, where the people `
` had long expected me: they lent me two guides to direct me to the `
` capital city, which is of the same name. I held them in my hands, `
` till I came within two hundred yards of the gate, and desired them `
` "to signify my arrival to one of the secretaries, and let him know, `
` I there waited his majesty's command." I had an answer in about an `
` hour, "that his majesty, attended by the royal family, and great `
` officers of the court, was coming out to receive me." I advanced a `
` hundred yards. The emperor and his train alighted from their `
` horses, the empress and ladies from their coaches, and I did not `
` perceive they were in any fright or concern. I lay on the ground `
` to kiss his majesty's and the empress's hands. I told his majesty, `
` "that I was come according to my promise, and with the license of `
` the emperor my master, to have the honour of seeing so mighty a `
` monarch, and to offer him any service in my power, consistent with `
` my duty to my own prince;" not mentioning a word of my disgrace, `
` because I had hitherto no regular information of it, and might `
` suppose myself wholly ignorant of any such design; neither could I `
` reasonably conceive that the emperor would discover the secret, `
` while I was out of his power; wherein, however, it soon appeared I `
` was deceived. `
` `
` I shall not trouble the reader with the particular account of my `
` reception at this court, which was suitable to the generosity of so `
` great a prince; nor of the difficulties I was in for want of a `
` house and bed, being forced to lie on the ground, wrapped up in my `
` coverlet. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER VIII. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; `
` and, after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country.] `
` `
` Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the north- `
` east coast of the island, I observed, about half a league off in `
` the sea, somewhat that looked like a boat overturned. I pulled off `
` my shoes and stockings, and, wailing two or three hundred yards, I `
` found the object to approach nearer by force of the tide; and then `
` plainly saw it to be a real boat, which I supposed might by some `
` tempest have been driven from a ship. Whereupon, I returned `
` immediately towards the city, and desired his imperial majesty to `
` lend me twenty of the tallest vessels he had left, after the loss `
` of his fleet, and three thousand seamen, under the command of his `
` vice-admiral. This fleet sailed round, while I went back the `
` shortest way to the coast, where I first discovered the boat. I `
` found the tide had driven it still nearer. The seamen were all `
` provided with cordage, which I had beforehand twisted to a `
` sufficient strength. When the ships came up, I stripped myself, `
` and waded till I came within a hundred yards off the boat, after `
` which I was forced to swim till I got up to it. The seamen threw `
` me the end of the cord, which I fastened to a hole in the fore-part `
` of the boat, and the other end to a man of war; but I found all my `
` labour to little purpose; for, being out of my depth, I was not `
` able to work. In this necessity I was forced to swim behind, and `
` push the boat forward, as often as I could, with one of my hands; `
` and the tide favouring me, I advanced so far that I could just hold `
` up my chin and feel the ground. I rested two or three minutes, and `
` then gave the boat another shove, and so on, till the sea was no `
` higher than my arm-pits; and now, the most laborious part being `
` over, I took out my other cables, which were stowed in one of the `
` ships, and fastened them first to the boat, and then to nine of the `
` vessels which attended me; the wind being favourable, the seamen `
` towed, and I shoved, until we arrived within forty yards of the `
` shore; and, waiting till the tide was out, I got dry to the boat, `
` and by the assistance of two thousand men, with ropes and engines, `
` I made a shift to turn it on its bottom, and found it was but `
` little damaged. `
` `
` I shall not trouble the reader with the difficulties I was under, `
` by the help of certain paddles, which cost me ten days making, to `
` get my boat to the royal port of Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse `
` of people appeared upon my arrival, full of wonder at the sight of `
` so prodigious a vessel. I told the emperor "that my good fortune `
` had thrown this boat in my way, to carry me to some place whence I `
` might return into my native country; and begged his majesty's `
` orders for getting materials to fit it up, together with his `
` license to depart;" which, after some kind expostulations, he was `
` pleased to grant. `
` `
` I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heard of any `
` express relating to me from our emperor to the court of Blefuscu. `
` But I was afterward given privately to understand, that his `
` imperial majesty, never imagining I had the least notice of his `
` designs, believed I was only gone to Blefuscu in performance of my `
` promise, according to the license he had given me, which was well `
` known at our court, and would return in a few days, when the `
` ceremony was ended. But he was at last in pain at my long absence; `
` and after consulting with the treasurer and the rest of that cabal, `
` a person of quality was dispatched with the copy of the articles `
` against me. This envoy had instructions to represent to the `
` monarch of Blefuscu, "the great lenity of his master, who was `
` content to punish me no farther than with the loss of mine eyes; `
` that I had fled from justice; and if I did not return in two hours, `
` I should be deprived of my title of nardac, and declared a `
` traitor." The envoy further added, "that in order to maintain the `
` peace and amity between both empires, his master expected that his `
` brother of Blefuscu would give orders to have me sent back to `
` Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be punished as a traitor." `
` `
` The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days to consult, `
` returned an answer consisting of many civilities and excuses. He `
` said, "that as for sending me bound, his brother knew it was `
` impossible; that, although I had deprived him of his fleet, yet he `
` owed great obligations to me for many good offices I had done him `
` in making the peace. That, however, both their majesties would `
` soon be made easy; for I had found a prodigious vessel on the `
` shore, able to carry me on the sea, which he had given orders to `
` fit up, with my own assistance and direction; and he hoped, in a `
` few weeks, both empires would be freed from so insupportable an `
` encumbrance." `
` `
` With this answer the envoy returned to Lilliput; and the monarch of `
` Blefuscu related to me all that had passed; offering me at the same `
` time (but under the strictest confidence) his gracious protection, `
` if I would continue in his service; wherein, although I believed `
` him sincere, yet I resolved never more to put any confidence in `
` princes or ministers, where I could possibly avoid it; and `
` therefore, with all due acknowledgments for his favourable `
` intentions, I humbly begged to be excused. I told him, "that since `
` fortune, whether good or evil, had thrown a vessel in my way, I was `
` resolved to venture myself on the ocean, rather than be an occasion `
` of difference between two such mighty monarchs." Neither did I `
` find the emperor at all displeased; and I discovered, by a certain `
` accident, that he was very glad of my resolution, and so were most `
` of his ministers. `
` `
` These considerations moved me to hasten my departure somewhat `
` sooner than I intended; to which the court, impatient to have me `
` gone, very readily contributed. Five hundred workmen were employed `
` to make two sails to my boat, according to my directions, by `
` quilting thirteen folds of their strongest linen together. I was `
` at the pains of making ropes and cables, by twisting ten, twenty, `
` or thirty of the thickest and strongest of theirs. A great stone `
` that I happened to find, after a long search, by the sea-shore, `
` served me for an anchor. I had the tallow of three hundred cows, `
` for greasing my boat, and other uses. I was at incredible pains in `
` cutting down some of the largest timber-trees, for oars and masts, `
` wherein I was, however, much assisted by his majesty's ship- `
` carpenters, who helped me in smoothing them, after I had done the `
` rough work. `
` `
` In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent to receive his `
` majesty's commands, and to take my leave. The emperor and royal `
` family came out of the palace; I lay down on my face to kiss his `
` hand, which he very graciously gave me: so did the empress and `
` young princes of the blood. His majesty presented me with fifty `
` purses of two hundred sprugs a-piece, together with his picture at `
` full length, which I put immediately into one of my gloves, to keep `
` it from being hurt. The ceremonies at my departure were too many `
` to trouble the reader with at this time. `
` `
` I stored the boat with the carcases of a hundred oxen, and three `
` hundred sheep, with bread and drink proportionable, and as much `
` meat ready dressed as four hundred cooks could provide. I took `
` with me six cows and two bulls alive, with as many ewes and rams, `
` intending to carry them into my own country, and propagate the `
` breed. And to feed them on board, I had a good bundle of hay, and `
` a bag of corn. I would gladly have taken a dozen of the natives, `
` but this was a thing the emperor would by no means permit; and, `
` besides a diligent search into my pockets, his majesty engaged my `
` honour "not to carry away any of his subjects, although with their `
` own consent and desire." `
` `
` Having thus prepared all things as well as I was able, I set sail `
` on the twenty-fourth day of September 1701, at six in the morning; `
` and when I had gone about four-leagues to the northward, the wind `
` being at south-east, at six in the evening I descried a small `
` island, about half a league to the north-west. I advanced forward, `
` and cast anchor on the lee-side of the island, which seemed to be `
` uninhabited. I then took some refreshment, and went to my rest. I `
` slept well, and as I conjectured at least six hours, for I found `
` the day broke in two hours after I awaked. It was a clear night. `
` I ate my breakfast before the sun was up; and heaving anchor, the `
`