Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part I
servants appointed for that purpose. I would not have dwelt so `
` long upon a circumstance that, perhaps, at first sight, may appear `
` not very momentous, if I had not thought it necessary to justify my `
` character, in point of cleanliness, to the world; which, I am told, `
` some of my maligners have been pleased, upon this and other `
` occasions, to call in question. `
` `
` When this adventure was at an end, I came back out of my house, `
` having occasion for fresh air. The emperor was already descended `
` from the tower, and advancing on horseback towards me, which had `
` like to have cost him dear; for the beast, though very well `
` trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight, which appeared as if a `
` mountain moved before him, reared up on its hinder feet: but that `
` prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his seat, till his `
` attendants ran in, and held the bridle, while his majesty had time `
` to dismount. When he alighted, he surveyed me round with great `
` admiration; but kept beyond the length of my chain. He ordered his `
` cooks and butlers, who were already prepared, to give me victuals `
` and drink, which they pushed forward in a sort of vehicles upon `
` wheels, till I could reach them. I took these vehicles and soon `
` emptied them all; twenty of them were filled with meat, and ten `
` with liquor; each of the former afforded me two or three good `
` mouthfuls; and I emptied the liquor of ten vessels, which was `
` contained in earthen vials, into one vehicle, drinking it off at a `
` draught; and so I did with the rest. The empress, and young `
` princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by many ladies, sat at `
` some distance in their chairs; but upon the accident that happened `
` to the emperor's horse, they alighted, and came near his person, `
` which I am now going to describe. He is taller by almost the `
` breadth of my nail, than any of his court; which alone is enough to `
` strike an awe into the beholders. His features are strong and `
` masculine, with an Austrian lip and arched nose, his complexion `
` olive, his countenance erect, his body and limbs well proportioned, `
` all his motions graceful, and his deportment majestic. He was then `
` past his prime, being twenty-eight years and three quarters old, of `
` which he had reigned about seven in great felicity, and generally `
` victorious. For the better convenience of beholding him, I lay on `
` my side, so that my face was parallel to his, and he stood but `
` three yards off: however, I have had him since many times in my `
` hand, and therefore cannot be deceived in the description. His `
` dress was very plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the `
` Asiatic and the European; but he had on his head a light helmet of `
` gold, adorned with jewels, and a plume on the crest. He held his `
` sword drawn in his hand to defend himself, if I should happen to `
` break loose; it was almost three inches long; the hilt and scabbard `
` were gold enriched with diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very `
` clear and articulate; and I could distinctly hear it when I stood `
` up. The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad; so `
` that the spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread `
` upon the ground, embroidered with figures of gold and silver. His `
` imperial majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers: but `
` neither of us could understand a syllable. There were several of `
` his priests and lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits), `
` who were commanded to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them `
` in as many languages as I had the least smattering of, which were `
` High and Low Dutch, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua `
` Franca, but all to no purpose. After about two hours the court `
` retired, and I was left with a strong guard, to prevent the `
` impertinence, and probably the malice of the rabble, who were very `
` impatient to crowd about me as near as they durst; and some of them `
` had the impudence to shoot their arrows at me, as I sat on the `
` ground by the door of my house, whereof one very narrowly missed my `
` left eye. But the colonel ordered six of the ringleaders to be `
` seized, and thought no punishment so proper as to deliver them `
` bound into my hands; which some of his soldiers accordingly did, `
` pushing them forward with the butt-ends of their pikes into my `
` reach. I took them all in my right hand, put five of them into my `
` coat-pocket; and as to the sixth, I made a countenance as if I `
` would eat him alive. The poor man squalled terribly, and the `
` colonel and his officers were in much pain, especially when they `
` saw me take out my penknife: but I soon put them out of fear; for, `
` looking mildly, and immediately cutting the strings he was bound `
` with, I set him gently on the ground, and away he ran. I treated `
` the rest in the same manner, taking them one by one out of my `
` pocket; and I observed both the soldiers and people were highly `
` delighted at this mark of my clemency, which was represented very `
` much to my advantage at court. `
` `
` Towards night I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay `
` on the ground, and continued to do so about a fortnight; during `
` which time, the emperor gave orders to have a bed prepared for me. `
` Six hundred beds of the common measure were brought in carriages, `
` and worked up in my house; a hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn `
` together, made up the breadth and length; and these were four `
` double: which, however, kept me but very indifferently from the `
` hardness of the floor, that was of smooth stone. By the same `
` computation, they provided me with sheets, blankets, and coverlets, `
` tolerable enough for one who had been so long inured to hardships. `
` `
` As the news of my arrival spread through the kingdom, it brought `
` prodigious numbers of rich, idle, and curious people to see me; so `
` that the villages were almost emptied; and great neglect of tillage `
` and household affairs must have ensued, if his imperial majesty had `
` not provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against `
` this inconveniency. He directed that those who had already beheld `
` me should return home, and not presume to come within fifty yards `
` of my house, without license from the court; whereby the `
` secretaries of state got considerable fees. `
` `
` In the mean time the emperor held frequent councils, to debate what `
` course should be taken with me; and I was afterwards assured by a `
` particular friend, a person of great quality, who was as much in `
` the secret as any, that the court was under many difficulties `
` concerning me. They apprehended my breaking loose; that my diet `
` would be very expensive, and might cause a famine. Sometimes they `
` determined to starve me; or at least to shoot me in the face and `
` hands with poisoned arrows, which would soon despatch me; but again `
` they considered, that the stench of so large a carcass might `
` produce a plague in the metropolis, and probably spread through the `
` whole kingdom. In the midst of these consultations, several `
` officers of the army went to the door of the great council-chamber, `
` and two of them being admitted, gave an account of my behaviour to `
` the six criminals above-mentioned; which made so favourable an `
` impression in the breast of his majesty and the whole board, in my `
` behalf, that an imperial commission was issued out, obliging all `
` the villages, nine hundred yards round the city, to deliver in `
` every morning six beeves, forty sheep, and other victuals for my `
` sustenance; together with a proportionable quantity of bread, and `
` wine, and other liquors; for the due payment of which, his majesty `
` gave assignments upon his treasury:- for this prince lives chiefly `
` upon his own demesnes; seldom, except upon great occasions, raising `
` any subsidies upon his subjects, who are bound to attend him in his `
` wars at their own expense. An establishment was also made of six `
` hundred persons to be my domestics, who had board-wages allowed for `
` their maintenance, and tents built for them very conveniently on `
` each side of my door. It was likewise ordered, that three hundred `
` tailors should make me a suit of clothes, after the fashion of the `
` country; that six of his majesty's greatest scholars should be `
` employed to instruct me in their language; and lastly, that the `
` emperor's horses, and those of the nobility and troops of guards, `
` should be frequently exercised in my sight, to accustom themselves `
` to me. All these orders were duly put in execution; and in about `
` three weeks I made a great progress in learning their language; `
` during which time the emperor frequently honoured me with his `
` visits, and was pleased to assist my masters in teaching me. We `
` began already to converse together in some sort; and the first `
` words I learnt, were to express my desire "that he would please `
` give me my liberty;" which I every day repeated on my knees. His `
` answer, as I could comprehend it, was, "that this must be a work of `
` time, not to be thought on without the advice of his council, and `
` that first I must lumos kelmin pesso desmar lon emposo;" that is, `
` swear a peace with him and his kingdom. However, that I should be `
` used with all kindness. And he advised me to "acquire, by my `
` patience and discreet behaviour, the good opinion of himself and `
` his subjects." He desired "I would not take it ill, if he gave `
` orders to certain proper officers to search me; for probably I `
` might carry about me several weapons, which must needs be dangerous `
` things, if they answered the bulk of so prodigious a person." I `
` said, "His majesty should be satisfied; for I was ready to strip `
` myself, and turn up my pockets before him." This I delivered part `
` in words, and part in signs. He replied, "that, by the laws of the `
` kingdom, I must be searched by two of his officers; that he knew `
` this could not be done without my consent and assistance; and he `
` had so good an opinion of my generosity and justice, as to trust `
` their persons in my hands; that whatever they took from me, should `
` be returned when I left the country, or paid for at the rate which `
` I would set upon them." I took up the two officers in my hands, `
` put them first into my coat-pockets, and then into every other `
` pocket about me, except my two fobs, and another secret pocket, `
` which I had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little `
` necessaries that were of no consequence to any but myself. In one `
` of my fobs there was a silver watch, and in the other a small `
` quantity of gold in a purse. These gentlemen, having pen, ink, and `
` paper, about them, made an exact inventory of every thing they saw; `
` and when they had done, desired I would set them down, that they `
` might deliver it to the emperor. This inventory I afterwards `
` translated into English, and is, word for word, as follows: `
` `
` "Imprimis: In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain" `
` (for so I interpret the words quinbus flestrin,) "after the `
` strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse-cloth, `
` large enough to be a foot-cloth for your majesty's chief room of `
` state. In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover `
` of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able to lift. `
` We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it, `
` found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part `
` whereof flying up to our faces set us both a sneezing for several `
` times together. In his right waistcoat-pocket we found a `
` prodigious bundle of white thin substances, folded one over `
` another, about the bigness of three men, tied with a strong cable, `
` and marked with black figures; which we humbly conceive to be `
` writings, every letter almost half as large as the palm of our `
` hands. In the left there was a sort of engine, from the back of `
` which were extended twenty long poles, resembling the pallisados `
` before your majesty's court: wherewith we conjecture the man- `
` mountain combs his head; for we did not always trouble him with `
` questions, because we found it a great difficulty to make him `
` understand us. In the large pocket, on the right side of his `
` middle cover" (so I translate the word ranfulo, by which they meant `
` my breeches,) "we saw a hollow pillar of iron, about the length of `
` a man, fastened to a strong piece of timber larger than the pillar; `
` and upon one side of the pillar, were huge pieces of iron sticking `
` out, cut into strange figures, which we know not what to make of. `
` In the left pocket, another engine of the same kind. In the `
` smaller pocket on the right side, were several round flat pieces of `
` white and red metal, of different bulk; some of the white, which `
` seemed to be silver, were so large and heavy, that my comrade and I `
` could hardly lift them. In the left pocket were two black pillars `
` irregularly shaped: we could not, without difficulty, reach the `
` top of them, as we stood at the bottom of his pocket. One of them `
` was covered, and seemed all of a piece: but at the upper end of `
`
` long upon a circumstance that, perhaps, at first sight, may appear `
` not very momentous, if I had not thought it necessary to justify my `
` character, in point of cleanliness, to the world; which, I am told, `
` some of my maligners have been pleased, upon this and other `
` occasions, to call in question. `
` `
` When this adventure was at an end, I came back out of my house, `
` having occasion for fresh air. The emperor was already descended `
` from the tower, and advancing on horseback towards me, which had `
` like to have cost him dear; for the beast, though very well `
` trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight, which appeared as if a `
` mountain moved before him, reared up on its hinder feet: but that `
` prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his seat, till his `
` attendants ran in, and held the bridle, while his majesty had time `
` to dismount. When he alighted, he surveyed me round with great `
` admiration; but kept beyond the length of my chain. He ordered his `
` cooks and butlers, who were already prepared, to give me victuals `
` and drink, which they pushed forward in a sort of vehicles upon `
` wheels, till I could reach them. I took these vehicles and soon `
` emptied them all; twenty of them were filled with meat, and ten `
` with liquor; each of the former afforded me two or three good `
` mouthfuls; and I emptied the liquor of ten vessels, which was `
` contained in earthen vials, into one vehicle, drinking it off at a `
` draught; and so I did with the rest. The empress, and young `
` princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by many ladies, sat at `
` some distance in their chairs; but upon the accident that happened `
` to the emperor's horse, they alighted, and came near his person, `
` which I am now going to describe. He is taller by almost the `
` breadth of my nail, than any of his court; which alone is enough to `
` strike an awe into the beholders. His features are strong and `
` masculine, with an Austrian lip and arched nose, his complexion `
` olive, his countenance erect, his body and limbs well proportioned, `
` all his motions graceful, and his deportment majestic. He was then `
` past his prime, being twenty-eight years and three quarters old, of `
` which he had reigned about seven in great felicity, and generally `
` victorious. For the better convenience of beholding him, I lay on `
` my side, so that my face was parallel to his, and he stood but `
` three yards off: however, I have had him since many times in my `
` hand, and therefore cannot be deceived in the description. His `
` dress was very plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the `
` Asiatic and the European; but he had on his head a light helmet of `
` gold, adorned with jewels, and a plume on the crest. He held his `
` sword drawn in his hand to defend himself, if I should happen to `
` break loose; it was almost three inches long; the hilt and scabbard `
` were gold enriched with diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very `
` clear and articulate; and I could distinctly hear it when I stood `
` up. The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad; so `
` that the spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread `
` upon the ground, embroidered with figures of gold and silver. His `
` imperial majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers: but `
` neither of us could understand a syllable. There were several of `
` his priests and lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits), `
` who were commanded to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them `
` in as many languages as I had the least smattering of, which were `
` High and Low Dutch, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua `
` Franca, but all to no purpose. After about two hours the court `
` retired, and I was left with a strong guard, to prevent the `
` impertinence, and probably the malice of the rabble, who were very `
` impatient to crowd about me as near as they durst; and some of them `
` had the impudence to shoot their arrows at me, as I sat on the `
` ground by the door of my house, whereof one very narrowly missed my `
` left eye. But the colonel ordered six of the ringleaders to be `
` seized, and thought no punishment so proper as to deliver them `
` bound into my hands; which some of his soldiers accordingly did, `
` pushing them forward with the butt-ends of their pikes into my `
` reach. I took them all in my right hand, put five of them into my `
` coat-pocket; and as to the sixth, I made a countenance as if I `
` would eat him alive. The poor man squalled terribly, and the `
` colonel and his officers were in much pain, especially when they `
` saw me take out my penknife: but I soon put them out of fear; for, `
` looking mildly, and immediately cutting the strings he was bound `
` with, I set him gently on the ground, and away he ran. I treated `
` the rest in the same manner, taking them one by one out of my `
` pocket; and I observed both the soldiers and people were highly `
` delighted at this mark of my clemency, which was represented very `
` much to my advantage at court. `
` `
` Towards night I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay `
` on the ground, and continued to do so about a fortnight; during `
` which time, the emperor gave orders to have a bed prepared for me. `
` Six hundred beds of the common measure were brought in carriages, `
` and worked up in my house; a hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn `
` together, made up the breadth and length; and these were four `
` double: which, however, kept me but very indifferently from the `
` hardness of the floor, that was of smooth stone. By the same `
` computation, they provided me with sheets, blankets, and coverlets, `
` tolerable enough for one who had been so long inured to hardships. `
` `
` As the news of my arrival spread through the kingdom, it brought `
` prodigious numbers of rich, idle, and curious people to see me; so `
` that the villages were almost emptied; and great neglect of tillage `
` and household affairs must have ensued, if his imperial majesty had `
` not provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against `
` this inconveniency. He directed that those who had already beheld `
` me should return home, and not presume to come within fifty yards `
` of my house, without license from the court; whereby the `
` secretaries of state got considerable fees. `
` `
` In the mean time the emperor held frequent councils, to debate what `
` course should be taken with me; and I was afterwards assured by a `
` particular friend, a person of great quality, who was as much in `
` the secret as any, that the court was under many difficulties `
` concerning me. They apprehended my breaking loose; that my diet `
` would be very expensive, and might cause a famine. Sometimes they `
` determined to starve me; or at least to shoot me in the face and `
` hands with poisoned arrows, which would soon despatch me; but again `
` they considered, that the stench of so large a carcass might `
` produce a plague in the metropolis, and probably spread through the `
` whole kingdom. In the midst of these consultations, several `
` officers of the army went to the door of the great council-chamber, `
` and two of them being admitted, gave an account of my behaviour to `
` the six criminals above-mentioned; which made so favourable an `
` impression in the breast of his majesty and the whole board, in my `
` behalf, that an imperial commission was issued out, obliging all `
` the villages, nine hundred yards round the city, to deliver in `
` every morning six beeves, forty sheep, and other victuals for my `
` sustenance; together with a proportionable quantity of bread, and `
` wine, and other liquors; for the due payment of which, his majesty `
` gave assignments upon his treasury:- for this prince lives chiefly `
` upon his own demesnes; seldom, except upon great occasions, raising `
` any subsidies upon his subjects, who are bound to attend him in his `
` wars at their own expense. An establishment was also made of six `
` hundred persons to be my domestics, who had board-wages allowed for `
` their maintenance, and tents built for them very conveniently on `
` each side of my door. It was likewise ordered, that three hundred `
` tailors should make me a suit of clothes, after the fashion of the `
` country; that six of his majesty's greatest scholars should be `
` employed to instruct me in their language; and lastly, that the `
` emperor's horses, and those of the nobility and troops of guards, `
` should be frequently exercised in my sight, to accustom themselves `
` to me. All these orders were duly put in execution; and in about `
` three weeks I made a great progress in learning their language; `
` during which time the emperor frequently honoured me with his `
` visits, and was pleased to assist my masters in teaching me. We `
` began already to converse together in some sort; and the first `
` words I learnt, were to express my desire "that he would please `
` give me my liberty;" which I every day repeated on my knees. His `
` answer, as I could comprehend it, was, "that this must be a work of `
` time, not to be thought on without the advice of his council, and `
` that first I must lumos kelmin pesso desmar lon emposo;" that is, `
` swear a peace with him and his kingdom. However, that I should be `
` used with all kindness. And he advised me to "acquire, by my `
` patience and discreet behaviour, the good opinion of himself and `
` his subjects." He desired "I would not take it ill, if he gave `
` orders to certain proper officers to search me; for probably I `
` might carry about me several weapons, which must needs be dangerous `
` things, if they answered the bulk of so prodigious a person." I `
` said, "His majesty should be satisfied; for I was ready to strip `
` myself, and turn up my pockets before him." This I delivered part `
` in words, and part in signs. He replied, "that, by the laws of the `
` kingdom, I must be searched by two of his officers; that he knew `
` this could not be done without my consent and assistance; and he `
` had so good an opinion of my generosity and justice, as to trust `
` their persons in my hands; that whatever they took from me, should `
` be returned when I left the country, or paid for at the rate which `
` I would set upon them." I took up the two officers in my hands, `
` put them first into my coat-pockets, and then into every other `
` pocket about me, except my two fobs, and another secret pocket, `
` which I had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little `
` necessaries that were of no consequence to any but myself. In one `
` of my fobs there was a silver watch, and in the other a small `
` quantity of gold in a purse. These gentlemen, having pen, ink, and `
` paper, about them, made an exact inventory of every thing they saw; `
` and when they had done, desired I would set them down, that they `
` might deliver it to the emperor. This inventory I afterwards `
` translated into English, and is, word for word, as follows: `
` `
` "Imprimis: In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain" `
` (for so I interpret the words quinbus flestrin,) "after the `
` strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse-cloth, `
` large enough to be a foot-cloth for your majesty's chief room of `
` state. In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover `
` of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able to lift. `
` We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it, `
` found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part `
` whereof flying up to our faces set us both a sneezing for several `
` times together. In his right waistcoat-pocket we found a `
` prodigious bundle of white thin substances, folded one over `
` another, about the bigness of three men, tied with a strong cable, `
` and marked with black figures; which we humbly conceive to be `
` writings, every letter almost half as large as the palm of our `
` hands. In the left there was a sort of engine, from the back of `
` which were extended twenty long poles, resembling the pallisados `
` before your majesty's court: wherewith we conjecture the man- `
` mountain combs his head; for we did not always trouble him with `
` questions, because we found it a great difficulty to make him `
` understand us. In the large pocket, on the right side of his `
` middle cover" (so I translate the word ranfulo, by which they meant `
` my breeches,) "we saw a hollow pillar of iron, about the length of `
` a man, fastened to a strong piece of timber larger than the pillar; `
` and upon one side of the pillar, were huge pieces of iron sticking `
` out, cut into strange figures, which we know not what to make of. `
` In the left pocket, another engine of the same kind. In the `
` smaller pocket on the right side, were several round flat pieces of `
` white and red metal, of different bulk; some of the white, which `
` seemed to be silver, were so large and heavy, that my comrade and I `
` could hardly lift them. In the left pocket were two black pillars `
` irregularly shaped: we could not, without difficulty, reach the `
` top of them, as we stood at the bottom of his pocket. One of them `
` was covered, and seemed all of a piece: but at the upper end of `
`