Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part I
parallel sticks, rising about five inches higher than the `
` handkerchief, served as ledges on each side. When I had finished `
` my work, I desired the emperor to let a troop of his best horses `
` twenty-four in number, come and exercise upon this plain. His `
` majesty approved of the proposal, and I took them up, one by one, `
` in my hands, ready mounted and armed, with the proper officers to `
` exercise them. As soon as they got into order they divided into `
` two parties, performed mock skirmishes, discharged blunt arrows, `
` drew their swords, fled and pursued, attacked and retired, and in `
` short discovered the best military discipline I ever beheld. The `
` parallel sticks secured them and their horses from falling over the `
` stage; and the emperor was so much delighted, that he ordered this `
` entertainment to be repeated several days, and once was pleased to `
` be lifted up and give the word of command; and with great `
` difficulty persuaded even the empress herself to let me hold her in `
` her close chair within two yards of the stage, when she was able to `
` take a full view of the whole performance. It was my good fortune, `
` that no ill accident happened in these entertainments; only once a `
` fiery horse, that belonged to one of the captains, pawing with his `
` hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and his foot slipping, he `
` overthrew his rider and himself; but I immediately relieved them `
` both, and covering the hole with one hand, I set down the troop `
` with the other, in the same manner as I took them up. The horse `
` that fell was strained in the left shoulder, but the rider got no `
` hurt; and I repaired my handkerchief as well as I could: however, `
` I would not trust to the strength of it any more, in such dangerous `
` enterprises. `
` `
` About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was `
` entertaining the court with this kind of feat, there arrived an `
` express to inform his majesty, that some of his subjects, riding `
` near the place where I was first taken up, had seen a great black `
` substance lying on the around, very oddly shaped, extending its `
` edges round, as wide as his majesty's bedchamber, and rising up in `
` the middle as high as a man; that it was no living creature, as `
` they at first apprehended, for it lay on the grass without motion; `
` and some of them had walked round it several times; that, by `
` mounting upon each other's shoulders, they had got to the top, `
` which was flat and even, and, stamping upon it, they found that it `
` was hollow within; that they humbly conceived it might be something `
` belonging to the man-mountain; and if his majesty pleased, they `
` would undertake to bring it with only five horses. I presently `
` knew what they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this `
` intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the shore after our `
` shipwreck, I was in such confusion, that before I came to the place `
` where I went to sleep, my hat, which I had fastened with a string `
` to my head while I was rowing, and had stuck on all the time I was `
` swimming, fell off after I came to land; the string, as I `
` conjecture, breaking by some accident, which I never observed, but `
` thought my hat had been lost at sea. I entreated his imperial `
` majesty to give orders it might be brought to me as soon as `
` possible, describing to him the use and the nature of it: and the `
` next day the waggoners arrived with it, but not in a very good `
` condition; they had bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and `
` half of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks `
` were tied by a long cord to the harness, and thus my hat was `
` dragged along for above half an English mile; but, the ground in `
` that country being extremely smooth and level, it received less `
` damage than I expected. `
` `
` Two days after this adventure, the emperor, having ordered that `
` part of his army which quarters in and about his metropolis, to be `
` in readiness, took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular `
` manner. He desired I would stand like a Colossus, with my legs as `
` far asunder as I conveniently could. He then commanded his general `
` (who was an old experienced leader, and a great patron of mine) to `
` draw up the troops in close order, and march them under me; the `
` foot by twenty-four abreast, and the horse by sixteen, with drums `
` beating, colours flying, and pikes advanced. This body consisted `
` of three thousand foot, and a thousand horse. His majesty gave `
` orders, upon pain of death, that every soldier in his march should `
` observe the strictest decency with regard to my person; which `
` however could not prevent some of the younger officers from turning `
` up their eyes as they passed under me: and, to confess the truth, `
` my breeches were at that time in so ill a condition, that they `
` afforded some opportunities for laughter and admiration. `
` `
` I had sent so many memorials and petitions for my liberty, that his `
` majesty at length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and `
` then in a full council; where it was opposed by none, except `
` Skyresh Bolgolam, who was pleased, without any provocation, to be `
` my mortal enemy. But it was carried against him by the whole `
` board, and confirmed by the emperor. That minister was galbet, or `
` admiral of the realm, very much in his master's confidence, and a `
` person well versed in affairs, but of a morose and sour complexion. `
` However, he was at length persuaded to comply; but prevailed that `
` the articles and conditions upon which I should be set free, and to `
` which I must swear, should be drawn up by himself. These articles `
` were brought to me by Skyresh Bolgolam in person attended by two `
` under-secretaries, and several persons of distinction. After they `
` were read, I was demanded to swear to the performance of them; `
` first in the manner of my own country, and afterwards in the method `
` prescribed by their laws; which was, to hold my right foot in my `
` left hand, and to place the middle finger of my right hand on the `
` crown of my head, and my thumb on the tip of my right ear. But `
` because the reader may be curious to have some idea of the style `
` and manner of expression peculiar to that people, as well as to `
` know the article upon which I recovered my liberty, I have made a `
` translation of the whole instrument, word for word, as near as I `
` was able, which I here offer to the public. `
` `
` "Golbasto Momarem Evlame Gurdilo Shefin Mully Ully Gue, most mighty `
` Emperor of Lilliput, delight and terror of the universe, whose `
` dominions extend five thousand blustrugs (about twelve miles in `
` circumference) to the extremities of the globe; monarch of all `
` monarchs, taller than the sons of men; whose feet press down to the `
` centre, and whose head strikes against the sun; at whose nod the `
` princes of the earth shake their knees; pleasant as the spring, `
` comfortable as the summer, fruitful as autumn, dreadful as winter: `
` his most sublime majesty proposes to the man-mountain, lately `
` arrived at our celestial dominions, the following articles, which, `
` by a solemn oath, he shall be obliged to perform:- `
` `
` "1st, The man-mountain shall not depart from our dominions, without `
` our license under our great seal. `
` `
` "2d, He shall not presume to come into our metropolis, without our `
` express order; at which time, the inhabitants shall have two hours `
` warning to keep within doors. `
` `
` "3d, The said man-mountain shall confine his walks to our principal `
` high roads, and not offer to walk, or lie down, in a meadow or `
` field of corn. `
` `
` "4th, As he walks the said roads, he shall take the utmost care not `
` to trample upon the bodies of any of our loving subjects, their `
` horses, or carriages, nor take any of our subjects into his hands `
` without their own consent. `
` `
` "5th, If an express requires extraordinary despatch, the man- `
` mountain shall be obliged to carry, in his pocket, the messenger `
` and horse a six days journey, once in every moon, and return the `
` said messenger back (if so required) safe to our imperial presence. `
` `
` "6th, He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of `
` Blefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now `
` preparing to invade us. `
` `
` "7th, That the said man-mountain shall, at his times of leisure, be `
` aiding and assisting to our workmen, in helping to raise certain `
` great stones, towards covering the wall of the principal park, and `
` other our royal buildings. `
` `
` "8th, That the said man-mountain shall, in two moons' time, deliver `
` in an exact survey of the circumference of our dominions, by a `
` computation of his own paces round the coast. `
` `
` "Lastly, That, upon his solemn oath to observe all the above `
` articles, the said man-mountain shall have a daily allowance of `
` meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 of our subjects, `
` with free access to our royal person, and other marks of our `
` favour. Given at our palace at Belfaborac, the twelfth day of the `
` ninety-first moon of our reign." `
` `
` I swore and subscribed to these articles with great cheerfulness `
` and content, although some of them were not so honourable as I `
` could have wished; which proceeded wholly from the malice of `
` Skyresh Bolgolam, the high-admiral: whereupon my chains were `
` immediately unlocked, and I was at full liberty. The emperor `
` himself, in person, did me the honour to be by at the whole `
` ceremony. I made my acknowledgements by prostrating myself at his `
` majesty's feet: but he commanded me to rise; and after many `
` gracious expressions, which, to avoid the censure of vanity, I `
` shall not repeat, he added, "that he hoped I should prove a useful `
` servant, and well deserve all the favours he had already conferred `
` upon me, or might do for the future." `
` `
` The reader may please to observe, that, in the last article of the `
` recovery of my liberty, the emperor stipulates to allow me a `
` quantity of meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 `
` Lilliputians. Some time after, asking a friend at court how they `
` came to fix on that determinate number, he told me that his `
` majesty's mathematicians, having taken the height of my body by the `
` help of a quadrant, and finding it to exceed theirs in the `
` proportion of twelve to one, they concluded from the similarity of `
` their bodies, that mine must contain at least 1724 of theirs, and `
` consequently would require as much food as was necessary to support `
` that number of Lilliputians. By which the reader may conceive an `
` idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as the prudent and `
` exact economy of so great a prince. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IV. `
` `
` `
` `
` [Mildendo, the metropolis of Lilliput, described, together with the `
` emperor's palace. A conversation between the author and a `
` principal secretary, concerning the affairs of that empire. The `
` author's offers to serve the emperor in his wars.] `
` `
` The first request I made, after I had obtained my liberty, was, `
` that I might have license to see Mildendo, the metropolis; which `
` the emperor easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no `
` hurt either to the inhabitants or their houses. The people had `
` notice, by proclamation, of my design to visit the town. The wall `
` which encompassed it is two feet and a half high, and at least `
` eleven inches broad, so that a coach and horses may be driven very `
` safely round it; and it is flanked with strong towers at ten feet `
` distance. I stepped over the great western gate, and passed very `
`
` handkerchief, served as ledges on each side. When I had finished `
` my work, I desired the emperor to let a troop of his best horses `
` twenty-four in number, come and exercise upon this plain. His `
` majesty approved of the proposal, and I took them up, one by one, `
` in my hands, ready mounted and armed, with the proper officers to `
` exercise them. As soon as they got into order they divided into `
` two parties, performed mock skirmishes, discharged blunt arrows, `
` drew their swords, fled and pursued, attacked and retired, and in `
` short discovered the best military discipline I ever beheld. The `
` parallel sticks secured them and their horses from falling over the `
` stage; and the emperor was so much delighted, that he ordered this `
` entertainment to be repeated several days, and once was pleased to `
` be lifted up and give the word of command; and with great `
` difficulty persuaded even the empress herself to let me hold her in `
` her close chair within two yards of the stage, when she was able to `
` take a full view of the whole performance. It was my good fortune, `
` that no ill accident happened in these entertainments; only once a `
` fiery horse, that belonged to one of the captains, pawing with his `
` hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and his foot slipping, he `
` overthrew his rider and himself; but I immediately relieved them `
` both, and covering the hole with one hand, I set down the troop `
` with the other, in the same manner as I took them up. The horse `
` that fell was strained in the left shoulder, but the rider got no `
` hurt; and I repaired my handkerchief as well as I could: however, `
` I would not trust to the strength of it any more, in such dangerous `
` enterprises. `
` `
` About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was `
` entertaining the court with this kind of feat, there arrived an `
` express to inform his majesty, that some of his subjects, riding `
` near the place where I was first taken up, had seen a great black `
` substance lying on the around, very oddly shaped, extending its `
` edges round, as wide as his majesty's bedchamber, and rising up in `
` the middle as high as a man; that it was no living creature, as `
` they at first apprehended, for it lay on the grass without motion; `
` and some of them had walked round it several times; that, by `
` mounting upon each other's shoulders, they had got to the top, `
` which was flat and even, and, stamping upon it, they found that it `
` was hollow within; that they humbly conceived it might be something `
` belonging to the man-mountain; and if his majesty pleased, they `
` would undertake to bring it with only five horses. I presently `
` knew what they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this `
` intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the shore after our `
` shipwreck, I was in such confusion, that before I came to the place `
` where I went to sleep, my hat, which I had fastened with a string `
` to my head while I was rowing, and had stuck on all the time I was `
` swimming, fell off after I came to land; the string, as I `
` conjecture, breaking by some accident, which I never observed, but `
` thought my hat had been lost at sea. I entreated his imperial `
` majesty to give orders it might be brought to me as soon as `
` possible, describing to him the use and the nature of it: and the `
` next day the waggoners arrived with it, but not in a very good `
` condition; they had bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and `
` half of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks `
` were tied by a long cord to the harness, and thus my hat was `
` dragged along for above half an English mile; but, the ground in `
` that country being extremely smooth and level, it received less `
` damage than I expected. `
` `
` Two days after this adventure, the emperor, having ordered that `
` part of his army which quarters in and about his metropolis, to be `
` in readiness, took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular `
` manner. He desired I would stand like a Colossus, with my legs as `
` far asunder as I conveniently could. He then commanded his general `
` (who was an old experienced leader, and a great patron of mine) to `
` draw up the troops in close order, and march them under me; the `
` foot by twenty-four abreast, and the horse by sixteen, with drums `
` beating, colours flying, and pikes advanced. This body consisted `
` of three thousand foot, and a thousand horse. His majesty gave `
` orders, upon pain of death, that every soldier in his march should `
` observe the strictest decency with regard to my person; which `
` however could not prevent some of the younger officers from turning `
` up their eyes as they passed under me: and, to confess the truth, `
` my breeches were at that time in so ill a condition, that they `
` afforded some opportunities for laughter and admiration. `
` `
` I had sent so many memorials and petitions for my liberty, that his `
` majesty at length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and `
` then in a full council; where it was opposed by none, except `
` Skyresh Bolgolam, who was pleased, without any provocation, to be `
` my mortal enemy. But it was carried against him by the whole `
` board, and confirmed by the emperor. That minister was galbet, or `
` admiral of the realm, very much in his master's confidence, and a `
` person well versed in affairs, but of a morose and sour complexion. `
` However, he was at length persuaded to comply; but prevailed that `
` the articles and conditions upon which I should be set free, and to `
` which I must swear, should be drawn up by himself. These articles `
` were brought to me by Skyresh Bolgolam in person attended by two `
` under-secretaries, and several persons of distinction. After they `
` were read, I was demanded to swear to the performance of them; `
` first in the manner of my own country, and afterwards in the method `
` prescribed by their laws; which was, to hold my right foot in my `
` left hand, and to place the middle finger of my right hand on the `
` crown of my head, and my thumb on the tip of my right ear. But `
` because the reader may be curious to have some idea of the style `
` and manner of expression peculiar to that people, as well as to `
` know the article upon which I recovered my liberty, I have made a `
` translation of the whole instrument, word for word, as near as I `
` was able, which I here offer to the public. `
` `
` "Golbasto Momarem Evlame Gurdilo Shefin Mully Ully Gue, most mighty `
` Emperor of Lilliput, delight and terror of the universe, whose `
` dominions extend five thousand blustrugs (about twelve miles in `
` circumference) to the extremities of the globe; monarch of all `
` monarchs, taller than the sons of men; whose feet press down to the `
` centre, and whose head strikes against the sun; at whose nod the `
` princes of the earth shake their knees; pleasant as the spring, `
` comfortable as the summer, fruitful as autumn, dreadful as winter: `
` his most sublime majesty proposes to the man-mountain, lately `
` arrived at our celestial dominions, the following articles, which, `
` by a solemn oath, he shall be obliged to perform:- `
` `
` "1st, The man-mountain shall not depart from our dominions, without `
` our license under our great seal. `
` `
` "2d, He shall not presume to come into our metropolis, without our `
` express order; at which time, the inhabitants shall have two hours `
` warning to keep within doors. `
` `
` "3d, The said man-mountain shall confine his walks to our principal `
` high roads, and not offer to walk, or lie down, in a meadow or `
` field of corn. `
` `
` "4th, As he walks the said roads, he shall take the utmost care not `
` to trample upon the bodies of any of our loving subjects, their `
` horses, or carriages, nor take any of our subjects into his hands `
` without their own consent. `
` `
` "5th, If an express requires extraordinary despatch, the man- `
` mountain shall be obliged to carry, in his pocket, the messenger `
` and horse a six days journey, once in every moon, and return the `
` said messenger back (if so required) safe to our imperial presence. `
` `
` "6th, He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of `
` Blefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now `
` preparing to invade us. `
` `
` "7th, That the said man-mountain shall, at his times of leisure, be `
` aiding and assisting to our workmen, in helping to raise certain `
` great stones, towards covering the wall of the principal park, and `
` other our royal buildings. `
` `
` "8th, That the said man-mountain shall, in two moons' time, deliver `
` in an exact survey of the circumference of our dominions, by a `
` computation of his own paces round the coast. `
` `
` "Lastly, That, upon his solemn oath to observe all the above `
` articles, the said man-mountain shall have a daily allowance of `
` meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 of our subjects, `
` with free access to our royal person, and other marks of our `
` favour. Given at our palace at Belfaborac, the twelfth day of the `
` ninety-first moon of our reign." `
` `
` I swore and subscribed to these articles with great cheerfulness `
` and content, although some of them were not so honourable as I `
` could have wished; which proceeded wholly from the malice of `
` Skyresh Bolgolam, the high-admiral: whereupon my chains were `
` immediately unlocked, and I was at full liberty. The emperor `
` himself, in person, did me the honour to be by at the whole `
` ceremony. I made my acknowledgements by prostrating myself at his `
` majesty's feet: but he commanded me to rise; and after many `
` gracious expressions, which, to avoid the censure of vanity, I `
` shall not repeat, he added, "that he hoped I should prove a useful `
` servant, and well deserve all the favours he had already conferred `
` upon me, or might do for the future." `
` `
` The reader may please to observe, that, in the last article of the `
` recovery of my liberty, the emperor stipulates to allow me a `
` quantity of meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 `
` Lilliputians. Some time after, asking a friend at court how they `
` came to fix on that determinate number, he told me that his `
` majesty's mathematicians, having taken the height of my body by the `
` help of a quadrant, and finding it to exceed theirs in the `
` proportion of twelve to one, they concluded from the similarity of `
` their bodies, that mine must contain at least 1724 of theirs, and `
` consequently would require as much food as was necessary to support `
` that number of Lilliputians. By which the reader may conceive an `
` idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as the prudent and `
` exact economy of so great a prince. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IV. `
` `
` `
` `
` [Mildendo, the metropolis of Lilliput, described, together with the `
` emperor's palace. A conversation between the author and a `
` principal secretary, concerning the affairs of that empire. The `
` author's offers to serve the emperor in his wars.] `
` `
` The first request I made, after I had obtained my liberty, was, `
` that I might have license to see Mildendo, the metropolis; which `
` the emperor easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no `
` hurt either to the inhabitants or their houses. The people had `
` notice, by proclamation, of my design to visit the town. The wall `
` which encompassed it is two feet and a half high, and at least `
` eleven inches broad, so that a coach and horses may be driven very `
` safely round it; and it is flanked with strong towers at ten feet `
` distance. I stepped over the great western gate, and passed very `
`