Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part I
and swam to shore, where there could not be fewer than thirty `
` thousand souls. I then took my tackling, and, fastening a hook to `
` the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords together at the `
` end. While I was thus employed, the enemy discharged several `
` thousand arrows, many of which stuck in my hands and face, and, `
` beside the excessive smart, gave me much disturbance in my work. `
` My greatest apprehension was for mine eyes, which I should have `
` infallibly lost, if I had not suddenly thought of an expedient. I `
` kept, among other little necessaries, a pair of spectacles in a `
` private pocket, which, as I observed before, had escaped the `
` emperor's searchers. These I took out and fastened as strongly as `
` I could upon my nose, and thus armed, went on boldly with my work, `
` in spite of the enemy's arrows, many of which struck against the `
` glasses of my spectacles, but without any other effect, further `
` than a little to discompose them. I had now fastened all the `
` hooks, and, taking the knot in my hand, began to pull; but not a `
` ship would stir, for they were all too fast held by their anchors, `
` so that the boldest part of my enterprise remained. I therefore `
` let go the cord, and leaving the looks fixed to the ships, I `
` resolutely cut with my knife the cables that fastened the anchors, `
` receiving about two hundred shots in my face and hands; then I took `
` up the knotted end of the cables, to which my hooks were tied, and `
` with great ease drew fifty of the enemy's largest men of war after `
` me. `
` `
` The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imagination of what I `
` intended, were at first confounded with astonishment. They had `
` seen me cut the cables, and thought my design was only to let the `
` ships run adrift or fall foul on each other: but when they `
` perceived the whole fleet moving in order, and saw me pulling at `
` the end, they set up such a scream of grief and despair as it is `
` almost impossible to describe or conceive. When I had got out of `
` danger, I stopped awhile to pick out the arrows that stuck in my `
` hands and face; and rubbed on some of the same ointment that was `
` given me at my first arrival, as I have formerly mentioned. I then `
` took off my spectacles, and waiting about an hour, till the tide `
` was a little fallen, I waded through the middle with my cargo, and `
` arrived safe at the royal port of Lilliput. `
` `
` The emperor and his whole court stood on the shore, expecting the `
` issue of this great adventure. They saw the ships move forward in `
` a large half-moon, but could not discern me, who was up to my `
` breast in water. When I advanced to the middle of the channel, `
` they were yet more in pain, because I was under water to my neck. `
` The emperor concluded me to be drowned, and that the enemy's fleet `
` was approaching in a hostile manner: but he was soon eased of his `
` fears; for the channel growing shallower every step I made, I came `
` in a short time within hearing, and holding up the end of the `
` cable, by which the fleet was fastened, I cried in a loud voice, `
` "Long live the most puissant king of Lilliput!" This great prince `
` received me at my landing with all possible encomiums, and created `
` me a nardac upon the spot, which is the highest title of honour `
` among them. `
` `
` His majesty desired I would take some other opportunity of bringing `
` all the rest of his enemy's ships into his ports. And so `
` unmeasureable is the ambition of princes, that he seemed to think `
` of nothing less than reducing the whole empire of Blefuscu into a `
` province, and governing it, by a viceroy; of destroying the Big- `
` endian exiles, and compelling that people to break the smaller end `
` of their eggs, by which he would remain the sole monarch of the `
` whole world. But I endeavoured to divert him from this design, by `
` many arguments drawn from the topics of policy as well as justice; `
` and I plainly protested, "that I would never be an instrument of `
` bringing a free and brave people into slavery." And, when the `
` matter was debated in council, the wisest part of the ministry were `
` of my opinion. `
` `
` This open bold declaration of mine was so opposite to the schemes `
` and politics of his imperial majesty, that he could never forgive `
` me. He mentioned it in a very artful manner at council, where I `
` was told that some of the wisest appeared, at least by their `
` silence, to be of my opinion; but others, who were my secret `
` enemies, could not forbear some expressions which, by a side-wind, `
` reflected on me. And from this time began an intrigue between his `
` majesty and a junto of ministers, maliciously bent against me, `
` which broke out in less than two months, and had like to have ended `
` in my utter destruction. Of so little weight are the greatest `
` services to princes, when put into the balance with a refusal to `
` gratify their passions. `
` `
` About three weeks after this exploit, there arrived a solemn `
` embassy from Blefuscu, with humble offers of a peace, which was `
` soon concluded, upon conditions very advantageous to our emperor, `
` wherewith I shall not trouble the reader. There were six `
` ambassadors, with a train of about five hundred persons, and their `
` entry was very magnificent, suitable to the grandeur of their `
` master, and the importance of their business. When their treaty `
` was finished, wherein I did them several good offices by the credit `
` I now had, or at least appeared to have, at court, their `
` excellencies, who were privately told how much I had been their `
` friend, made me a visit in form. They began with many compliments `
` upon my valour and generosity, invited me to that kingdom in the `
` emperor their master's name, and desired me to show them some `
` proofs of my prodigious strength, of which they had heard so many `
` wonders; wherein I readily obliged them, but shall not trouble the `
` reader with the particulars. `
` `
` When I had for some time entertained their excellencies, to their `
` infinite satisfaction and surprise, I desired they would do me the `
` honour to present my most humble respects to the emperor their `
` master, the renown of whose virtues had so justly filled the whole `
` world with admiration, and whose royal person I resolved to attend, `
` before I returned to my own country. Accordingly, the next time I `
` had the honour to see our emperor, I desired his general license to `
` wait on the Blefuscudian monarch, which he was pleased to grant me, `
` as I could perceive, in a very cold manner; but could not guess the `
` reason, till I had a whisper from a certain person, "that Flimnap `
` and Bolgolam had represented my intercourse with those ambassadors `
` as a mark of disaffection;" from which I am sure my heart was `
` wholly free. And this was the first time I began to conceive some `
` imperfect idea of courts and ministers. `
` `
` It is to be observed, that these ambassadors spoke to me, by an `
` interpreter, the languages of both empires differing as much from `
` each other as any two in Europe, and each nation priding itself `
` upon the antiquity, beauty, and energy of their own tongue, with an `
` avowed contempt for that of their neighbour; yet our emperor, `
` standing upon the advantage he had got by the seizure of their `
` fleet, obliged them to deliver their credentials, and make their `
` speech, in the Lilliputian tongue. And it must be confessed, that `
` from the great intercourse of trade and commerce between both `
` realms, from the continual reception of exiles which is mutual `
` among them, and from the custom, in each empire, to send their `
` young nobility and richer gentry to the other, in order to polish `
` themselves by seeing the world, and understanding men and manners; `
` there are few persons of distinction, or merchants, or seamen, who `
` dwell in the maritime parts, but what can hold conversation in both `
` tongues; as I found some weeks after, when I went to pay my `
` respects to the emperor of Blefuscu, which, in the midst of great `
` misfortunes, through the malice of my enemies, proved a very happy `
` adventure to me, as I shall relate in its proper place. `
` `
` The reader may remember, that when I signed those articles upon `
` which I recovered my liberty, there were some which I disliked, `
` upon account of their being too servile; neither could anything but `
` an extreme necessity have forced me to submit. But being now a `
` nardac of the highest rank in that empire, such offices were looked `
` upon as below my dignity, and the emperor (to do him justice), `
` never once mentioned them to me. However, it was not long before I `
` had an opportunity of doing his majesty, at least as I then `
` thought, a most signal service. I was alarmed at midnight with the `
` cries of many hundred people at my door; by which, being suddenly `
` awaked, I was in some kind of terror. I heard the word Burglum `
` repeated incessantly: several of the emperor's court, making their `
` way through the crowd, entreated me to come immediately to the `
` palace, where her imperial majesty's apartment was on fire, by the `
` carelessness of a maid of honour, who fell asleep while she was `
` reading a romance. I got up in an instant; and orders being given `
` to clear the way before me, and it being likewise a moonshine `
` night, I made a shift to get to the palace without trampling on any `
` of the people. I found they had already applied ladders to the `
` walls of the apartment, and were well provided with buckets, but `
` the water was at some distance. These buckets were about the size `
` of large thimbles, and the poor people supplied me with them as `
` fast as they could: but the flame was so violent that they did `
` little good. I might easily have stifled it with my coat, which I `
` unfortunately left behind me for haste, and came away only in my `
` leathern jerkin. The case seemed wholly desperate and deplorable; `
` and this magnificent palace would have infallibly been burnt down `
` to the ground, if, by a presence of mind unusual to me, I had not `
` suddenly thought of an expedient. I had, the evening before, drunk `
` plentifully of a most delicious wine called glimigrim, (the `
` Blefuscudians call it flunec, but ours is esteemed the better `
` sort,) which is very diuretic. By the luckiest chance in the `
` world, I had not discharged myself of any part of it. The heat I `
` had contracted by coming very near the flames, and by labouring to `
` quench them, made the wine begin to operate by urine; which I `
` voided in such a quantity, and applied so well to the proper `
` places, that in three minutes the fire was wholly extinguished, and `
` the rest of that noble pile, which had cost so many ages in `
` erecting, preserved from destruction. `
` `
` It was now day-light, and I returned to my house without waiting to `
` congratulate with the emperor: because, although I had done a very `
` eminent piece of service, yet I could not tell how his majesty `
` might resent the manner by which I had performed it: for, by the `
` fundamental laws of the realm, it is capital in any person, of what `
` quality soever, to make water within the precincts of the palace. `
` But I was a little comforted by a message from his majesty, "that `
` he would give orders to the grand justiciary for passing my pardon `
` in form:" which, however, I could not obtain; and I was privately `
` assured, "that the empress, conceiving the greatest abhorrence of `
` what I had done, removed to the most distant side of the court, `
` firmly resolved that those buildings should never be repaired for `
` her use: and, in the presence of her chief confidents could not `
` forbear vowing revenge." `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER VI. `
` `
` `
` `
` [Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their learning, laws, and customs; `
` the manner of educating their children. The author's way of living `
` in that country. His vindication of a great lady.] `
` `
` Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a `
` particular treatise, yet, in the mean time, I am content to gratify `
` the curious reader with some general ideas. As the common size of `
`
` thousand souls. I then took my tackling, and, fastening a hook to `
` the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords together at the `
` end. While I was thus employed, the enemy discharged several `
` thousand arrows, many of which stuck in my hands and face, and, `
` beside the excessive smart, gave me much disturbance in my work. `
` My greatest apprehension was for mine eyes, which I should have `
` infallibly lost, if I had not suddenly thought of an expedient. I `
` kept, among other little necessaries, a pair of spectacles in a `
` private pocket, which, as I observed before, had escaped the `
` emperor's searchers. These I took out and fastened as strongly as `
` I could upon my nose, and thus armed, went on boldly with my work, `
` in spite of the enemy's arrows, many of which struck against the `
` glasses of my spectacles, but without any other effect, further `
` than a little to discompose them. I had now fastened all the `
` hooks, and, taking the knot in my hand, began to pull; but not a `
` ship would stir, for they were all too fast held by their anchors, `
` so that the boldest part of my enterprise remained. I therefore `
` let go the cord, and leaving the looks fixed to the ships, I `
` resolutely cut with my knife the cables that fastened the anchors, `
` receiving about two hundred shots in my face and hands; then I took `
` up the knotted end of the cables, to which my hooks were tied, and `
` with great ease drew fifty of the enemy's largest men of war after `
` me. `
` `
` The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imagination of what I `
` intended, were at first confounded with astonishment. They had `
` seen me cut the cables, and thought my design was only to let the `
` ships run adrift or fall foul on each other: but when they `
` perceived the whole fleet moving in order, and saw me pulling at `
` the end, they set up such a scream of grief and despair as it is `
` almost impossible to describe or conceive. When I had got out of `
` danger, I stopped awhile to pick out the arrows that stuck in my `
` hands and face; and rubbed on some of the same ointment that was `
` given me at my first arrival, as I have formerly mentioned. I then `
` took off my spectacles, and waiting about an hour, till the tide `
` was a little fallen, I waded through the middle with my cargo, and `
` arrived safe at the royal port of Lilliput. `
` `
` The emperor and his whole court stood on the shore, expecting the `
` issue of this great adventure. They saw the ships move forward in `
` a large half-moon, but could not discern me, who was up to my `
` breast in water. When I advanced to the middle of the channel, `
` they were yet more in pain, because I was under water to my neck. `
` The emperor concluded me to be drowned, and that the enemy's fleet `
` was approaching in a hostile manner: but he was soon eased of his `
` fears; for the channel growing shallower every step I made, I came `
` in a short time within hearing, and holding up the end of the `
` cable, by which the fleet was fastened, I cried in a loud voice, `
` "Long live the most puissant king of Lilliput!" This great prince `
` received me at my landing with all possible encomiums, and created `
` me a nardac upon the spot, which is the highest title of honour `
` among them. `
` `
` His majesty desired I would take some other opportunity of bringing `
` all the rest of his enemy's ships into his ports. And so `
` unmeasureable is the ambition of princes, that he seemed to think `
` of nothing less than reducing the whole empire of Blefuscu into a `
` province, and governing it, by a viceroy; of destroying the Big- `
` endian exiles, and compelling that people to break the smaller end `
` of their eggs, by which he would remain the sole monarch of the `
` whole world. But I endeavoured to divert him from this design, by `
` many arguments drawn from the topics of policy as well as justice; `
` and I plainly protested, "that I would never be an instrument of `
` bringing a free and brave people into slavery." And, when the `
` matter was debated in council, the wisest part of the ministry were `
` of my opinion. `
` `
` This open bold declaration of mine was so opposite to the schemes `
` and politics of his imperial majesty, that he could never forgive `
` me. He mentioned it in a very artful manner at council, where I `
` was told that some of the wisest appeared, at least by their `
` silence, to be of my opinion; but others, who were my secret `
` enemies, could not forbear some expressions which, by a side-wind, `
` reflected on me. And from this time began an intrigue between his `
` majesty and a junto of ministers, maliciously bent against me, `
` which broke out in less than two months, and had like to have ended `
` in my utter destruction. Of so little weight are the greatest `
` services to princes, when put into the balance with a refusal to `
` gratify their passions. `
` `
` About three weeks after this exploit, there arrived a solemn `
` embassy from Blefuscu, with humble offers of a peace, which was `
` soon concluded, upon conditions very advantageous to our emperor, `
` wherewith I shall not trouble the reader. There were six `
` ambassadors, with a train of about five hundred persons, and their `
` entry was very magnificent, suitable to the grandeur of their `
` master, and the importance of their business. When their treaty `
` was finished, wherein I did them several good offices by the credit `
` I now had, or at least appeared to have, at court, their `
` excellencies, who were privately told how much I had been their `
` friend, made me a visit in form. They began with many compliments `
` upon my valour and generosity, invited me to that kingdom in the `
` emperor their master's name, and desired me to show them some `
` proofs of my prodigious strength, of which they had heard so many `
` wonders; wherein I readily obliged them, but shall not trouble the `
` reader with the particulars. `
` `
` When I had for some time entertained their excellencies, to their `
` infinite satisfaction and surprise, I desired they would do me the `
` honour to present my most humble respects to the emperor their `
` master, the renown of whose virtues had so justly filled the whole `
` world with admiration, and whose royal person I resolved to attend, `
` before I returned to my own country. Accordingly, the next time I `
` had the honour to see our emperor, I desired his general license to `
` wait on the Blefuscudian monarch, which he was pleased to grant me, `
` as I could perceive, in a very cold manner; but could not guess the `
` reason, till I had a whisper from a certain person, "that Flimnap `
` and Bolgolam had represented my intercourse with those ambassadors `
` as a mark of disaffection;" from which I am sure my heart was `
` wholly free. And this was the first time I began to conceive some `
` imperfect idea of courts and ministers. `
` `
` It is to be observed, that these ambassadors spoke to me, by an `
` interpreter, the languages of both empires differing as much from `
` each other as any two in Europe, and each nation priding itself `
` upon the antiquity, beauty, and energy of their own tongue, with an `
` avowed contempt for that of their neighbour; yet our emperor, `
` standing upon the advantage he had got by the seizure of their `
` fleet, obliged them to deliver their credentials, and make their `
` speech, in the Lilliputian tongue. And it must be confessed, that `
` from the great intercourse of trade and commerce between both `
` realms, from the continual reception of exiles which is mutual `
` among them, and from the custom, in each empire, to send their `
` young nobility and richer gentry to the other, in order to polish `
` themselves by seeing the world, and understanding men and manners; `
` there are few persons of distinction, or merchants, or seamen, who `
` dwell in the maritime parts, but what can hold conversation in both `
` tongues; as I found some weeks after, when I went to pay my `
` respects to the emperor of Blefuscu, which, in the midst of great `
` misfortunes, through the malice of my enemies, proved a very happy `
` adventure to me, as I shall relate in its proper place. `
` `
` The reader may remember, that when I signed those articles upon `
` which I recovered my liberty, there were some which I disliked, `
` upon account of their being too servile; neither could anything but `
` an extreme necessity have forced me to submit. But being now a `
` nardac of the highest rank in that empire, such offices were looked `
` upon as below my dignity, and the emperor (to do him justice), `
` never once mentioned them to me. However, it was not long before I `
` had an opportunity of doing his majesty, at least as I then `
` thought, a most signal service. I was alarmed at midnight with the `
` cries of many hundred people at my door; by which, being suddenly `
` awaked, I was in some kind of terror. I heard the word Burglum `
` repeated incessantly: several of the emperor's court, making their `
` way through the crowd, entreated me to come immediately to the `
` palace, where her imperial majesty's apartment was on fire, by the `
` carelessness of a maid of honour, who fell asleep while she was `
` reading a romance. I got up in an instant; and orders being given `
` to clear the way before me, and it being likewise a moonshine `
` night, I made a shift to get to the palace without trampling on any `
` of the people. I found they had already applied ladders to the `
` walls of the apartment, and were well provided with buckets, but `
` the water was at some distance. These buckets were about the size `
` of large thimbles, and the poor people supplied me with them as `
` fast as they could: but the flame was so violent that they did `
` little good. I might easily have stifled it with my coat, which I `
` unfortunately left behind me for haste, and came away only in my `
` leathern jerkin. The case seemed wholly desperate and deplorable; `
` and this magnificent palace would have infallibly been burnt down `
` to the ground, if, by a presence of mind unusual to me, I had not `
` suddenly thought of an expedient. I had, the evening before, drunk `
` plentifully of a most delicious wine called glimigrim, (the `
` Blefuscudians call it flunec, but ours is esteemed the better `
` sort,) which is very diuretic. By the luckiest chance in the `
` world, I had not discharged myself of any part of it. The heat I `
` had contracted by coming very near the flames, and by labouring to `
` quench them, made the wine begin to operate by urine; which I `
` voided in such a quantity, and applied so well to the proper `
` places, that in three minutes the fire was wholly extinguished, and `
` the rest of that noble pile, which had cost so many ages in `
` erecting, preserved from destruction. `
` `
` It was now day-light, and I returned to my house without waiting to `
` congratulate with the emperor: because, although I had done a very `
` eminent piece of service, yet I could not tell how his majesty `
` might resent the manner by which I had performed it: for, by the `
` fundamental laws of the realm, it is capital in any person, of what `
` quality soever, to make water within the precincts of the palace. `
` But I was a little comforted by a message from his majesty, "that `
` he would give orders to the grand justiciary for passing my pardon `
` in form:" which, however, I could not obtain; and I was privately `
` assured, "that the empress, conceiving the greatest abhorrence of `
` what I had done, removed to the most distant side of the court, `
` firmly resolved that those buildings should never be repaired for `
` her use: and, in the presence of her chief confidents could not `
` forbear vowing revenge." `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER VI. `
` `
` `
` `
` [Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their learning, laws, and customs; `
` the manner of educating their children. The author's way of living `
` in that country. His vindication of a great lady.] `
` `
` Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a `
` particular treatise, yet, in the mean time, I am content to gratify `
` the curious reader with some general ideas. As the common size of `
`