|
Once upon
a time...
CHAPTER ONE
My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire, and I was the third
of four sons. He sent me to Cambridge at fourteen years old, and
after studying there three years I was bound apprentice to Mr.
Bates, a famous surgeon in London. There, as my father now and then
sent me small sums of money, I spent them in learning navigation,
and other arts useful to those who travel, as I always believed it
would be some time or other my fortune to do.
Three years after my leaving him my good master, Mr. Bates,
recommended me as ship's surgeon to the "Swallow," on which I
voyaged three years. When I came back I settled in London, and,
having taken part of a small house, I married Miss Mary Burton,
daughter of Mr. Edmund Burton, hosier.
But my good master Bates died two years after; and as I had few
friends my business began to fail, and I determined to go again to
sea. After several voyages, I accepted an offer from Captain W.
Pritchard, master of the "Antelope," who was making a voyage to the
South Sea. We set sail from Bristol, May 4, 1699; and our voyage at
first was very prosperous.
But in our passage to the East Indies we were driven by a violent
storm to the north-west of Van Diemen's Land. Twelve of our crew
died from hard labour and bad food, and the rest were in a very weak
condition. On the 5th of November, the weather being very hazy, the
seamen spied a rock within 120 yards of the ship; but the wind was
so strong that we were driven straight upon it, and immediately
split. Six of the crew, of whom I was one, letting down the boat,
got clear of the ship, and we rowed about three leagues, till we
could work no longer. We therefore trusted ourselves to the mercy of
the waves; and in about half an hour the boat was upset by a sudden
squall. What became of my companions in the boat, or those who
escaped on the rock or were left in the vessel, I cannot tell; but I
conclude they were all lost. For my part, I swam as fortune directed
me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide; but when I was able to
struggle no longer I found myself within my depth. By this time the
storm was much abated. I reached the shore at last, about eight
o'clock in the evening, and advanced nearly half a mile inland, but
could not discover any sign of inhabitants. I was extremely tired,
and with the heat of the weather I found myself much inclined to
sleep. I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft, and
slept sounder than ever I did in my life for about nine hours. When
I woke, it was just daylight. I attempted to rise, but could not;
for as I happened to be lying on my back, I found my arms and legs
were fastened on each side to the ground; and my hair, which was
long and thick, tied down in the same manner. I could only look
upward. The sun began to grow hot, and the light hurt my eyes. I
heard a confused noise about me, but could see nothing except the
sky. In a little time I felt something alive and moving on my left
leg, which, advancing gently over my breast, came almost up to my
chin, when, bending my eyes downward, I perceived it to be a human
creature, not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hands,
and a quiver at his back. In the meantime I felt at least forty more
following the first. I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so
loud that they all ran back in a fright; and some of them were hurt
with the falls they got by leaping from my sides upon the ground.
However, they soon returned, and one of them, who ventured so far as
to get a full sight of my face, lifted up his hands in admiration. I
lay all this while in great uneasiness; but at length, struggling to
get loose, I succeeded in breaking the strings that fastened my left
arm to the ground; and at the same time, with a violent pull that
gave me extreme pain, I a little loosened the strings that tied down
my hair, so that I was just able to turn my head about two inches.
But the creatures ran off a second time before I could seize them,
whereupon there was a great shout, and in an instant I felt above a
hundred arrows discharged on my left hand, which pricked me like so
many needles. Moreover, they shot another flight into the air, of
which some fell on my face, which I immediately covered with my left
hand. When this shower of arrows was over I groaned with grief and
pain, and then, striving again to get loose, they discharged another
flight of arrows larger than the first, and some of them tried to
stab me with their spears; but by good luck I had on a leather
jacket, which they could not pierce. By this time I thought it most
prudent to lie still till night, when, my left hand being already
loose, I could easily free myself; and as for the inhabitants, I
thought I might be a match for the greatest army they could bring
against me if they were all of the same size as him I saw. When the
people observed that I was quiet they discharged no more arrows, but
by the noise I heard I knew that their number was increased; and
about four yards from me, for more than an hour, there was a
knocking, like people at work. Then, turning my head that way as
well as the pegs and strings would let me, I saw a stage set up,
about a foot and a half from the ground, with two or three ladders
to mount it. From this, one of them, who seemed to be a person of
quality, made me a long speech, of which I could not understand a
word, though I could tell from his manner that he sometimes
threatened me, and sometimes spoke with pity and kindness. I
answered in few words, but in the most submissive manner; and, being
almost famished with hunger, I could not help showing my impatience
by putting my finger frequently to my mouth, to signify that I
wanted food. He understood me very well, and, descending from the
stage, commanded that several ladders should be set against my
sides, on which more than a hundred of the inhabitants mounted, and
walked toward my mouth with baskets full of food, which had been
sent by the King's orders when he first received tidings of me.
There were legs and shoulders like mutton but smaller than the wings
of a lark. I ate them two or three at a mouthful, and took three
loaves at a time. They supplied me as fast as they could, with a
thousand marks of wonder at my appetite. I then made a sign that I
wanted something to drink. They guessed that a small quantity would
not suffice me, and, being a most ingenious people, they slung up
one of their largest hogsheads, then rolled it toward my hand, and
beat out the top. I drank it off at a draught, which I might well
do, for it did not hold half a pint. They brought me a second
hogshead, which I drank, and made signs for more; but they had none
to give me. However, I could not wonder enough at the daring of
these tiny mortals, who ventured to mount and walk upon my body,
while one of my hands was free, without trembling at the very sight
of so huge a creature as I must have seemed to them. After some time
there appeared before me a person of high rank from his Imperial
Majesty. His Excellency, having mounted my right leg, advanced to my
face, with about a dozen of his retinue, and spoke about ten
minutes, often pointing forward, which, as I afterward found, was
toward the capital city, about half a mile distant, whither it was
commanded by his Majesty that I should be conveyed. I made a sign
with my hand that was loose, putting it to the other (but over his
Excellency's head, for fear of hurting him or his train), to show
that I desired my liberty. He seemed to understand me well enough,
for he shook his head, though he made other signs to let me know
that I should have meat and drink enough, and very good treatment.
Then I once more thought of attempting to escape; but when I felt
the smart of their arrows on my face and hands, which were all in
blisters and observed likewise that the number of my enemies
increased, I gave tokens to let them know that they might do with me
what they pleased. Then they daubed my face and hands with a
sweet-smelling ointment, which in a few minutes removed all the
smarts of the arrows. The relief from pain and hunger made me
drowsy, and presently I fell asleep. I slept about eight hours, as I
was told afterward; and it was no wonder, for the physicians, by the
Emperor's orders, had mingled a sleeping draught in the hogsheads of
wine.
It seems that, when I was discovered sleeping on the ground after my
landing, the Emperor had early notice of it, and determined that I
should be tied in the manner I have related (which was done in the
night, while I slept), that plenty of meat and drink should be sent
me, and a machine prepared to carry me to the capital city. Five
hundred carpenters and engineers were immediately set to work to
prepare the engine. It was a frame of wood, raised three inches from
the ground, about seven feet long and four wide, moving upon
twenty-two wheels. But the difficulty was to place me on it. Eighty
poles were erected for this purpose, and very strong cords fastened
to bandages which the workmen had tied round my neck, hands, body,
and legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to draw up
these cords by pulleys fastened on the poles, and in less than three
hours I was raised and slung into the engine, and there tied fast.
Fifteen hundred of the Emperor's largest horses, each about four
inches and a half high, were then employed to draw me toward the
capital. But while all this was done I still lay in a deep sleep,
and I did not wake till four hours after we began our journey.
The Emperor and all his Court came out to meet us when we reached
the capital; but his great officials would not suffer his Majesty to
risk his person by mounting on my body. Where the carriage stopped
there stood an ancient temple, supposed to be the largest in the
whole kingdom, and here it was determined that I should lodge. Near
the great gate, through which I could easily creep, they fixed
ninety-one chains, like those which hang to a lady's watch, which
were locked to my left leg with thirty-six padlocks; and when the
workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose, they cut all
the strings that bound me. Then I rose up, feeling as melancholy as
ever I did in my life. But the noise and astonishment of the people
on seeing me rise and walk were inexpressible. The chains that held
my left leg were about two yards long, and gave me not only freedom
to walk backward and forward in a semicircle, but to creep in and
lie at full length inside the temple. The Emperor, advancing toward
me from among his courtiers, all most magnificently clad, surveyed
me with great admiration, but kept beyond the length of my chain. He
was taller by about the breadth of my nail than any of his Court,
which alone was enough to strike awe into the beholders, and
graceful and majestic. The better to behold him, I lay down on my
side, so that my face was level with his, and he stood three yards
off. However, I have had him since many times in my hand, and
therefore cannot be deceived. His dress was very simple; but he wore
a light helmet of gold, adorned with jewels and a plume. He held his
sword drawn in his hand, to defend himself if I should break loose;
it was almost three inches long, and the hilt was of gold, enriched
with diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very clear. His Imperial
Majesty spoke often to me, and I answered; but neither of us could
understand a word.
CHAPTER TWO
After about two hours the Court retired, and I was left with a
strong guard to keep away the crowd, some of whom had had the
impudence to shoot their arrows at me as I sat by the door of my
house. But the colonel ordered six of them to be seized and
delivered bound into my hands. I put five of them into my coat
pocket; and as to the sixth, I made a face as if I would eat him
alive. The poor man screamed terribly, and the colonel and his
officers were much distressed, especially when they saw me take out
my penknife. But I soon set them at ease, for, cutting the strings
he was bound with, I put 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 saw that both the soldiers and people were
delighted at this mark of my kindness
Toward night I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay
on the ground, as I had to do for a fortnight, till a bed was
prepared for me out of six hundred beds of the ordinary measure.
Six hundred servants were appointed me, and three hundred tailors
made me a suit of clothes. Moreover, six of his Majesty's greatest
scholars were employed to teach me their language, so that soon I
was able to converse after a fashion with the Emperor, who often
honoured me with his visits. The first words I learned were to
desire that he would please to give me my liberty, which I every day
repeated on my knees; but he answered that this must be a work of
time, and that first I must swear a peace with him and his kingdom.
He told me also that by the laws of the nation I must be searched by
two of his officers, and that as this could not be done without my
help, he trusted them in my hands, and whatever they took from me
should be returned when I left the country. I took up the two
officers, and put them into my coat pockets. These gentlemen, having
pen, ink, and paper about them, made an exact list of everything
they saw, which I afterward translated into English, and which ran
as follows:
"In the right coat pocket of the great Man-Mountain we found only
one great piece of coarse cloth, large enough to cover the carpet of
your Majesty's chief room of state. In the left pocket we saw a huge
silver chest, with a silver cover, which we could not lift. We
desired that it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it
found himself up to the mid-leg in a sort of dust, some of which
flying into our faces sent us both into a fit of sneezing. In his
right waistcoat pocket we found a number of white thin substances,
folded one over another, about the size of three men, tied with a
strong cable, and marked with black figures, which we humbly
conceive to be writings. In the left there was a sort of engine,
from the back of which extended twenty long poles, with which, we
conjecture, the Man-Mountain combs his head. In the smaller pocket
on the right side were several round flat pieces of white and red
metal, of different sizes. Some of the white, which appeared to be
silver, were so large and heavy that my comrade and I could hardly
lift them. From another pocket hung a huge silver chain, with a
wonderful kind of engine fastened to it, a globe half silver and
half of some transparent metal; for on the transparent side we saw
certain strange figures, and thought we could touch them till we
found our fingers stopped by the shining substance. This engine made
an incessant noise, like a water-mill, and we conjecture it is
either some unknown animal, or the god he worships, but probably the
latter, for he told us that he seldom did anything without
consulting it.
"This is a list of what we found about the body of the Man-Mountain,
who treated us with great civility."
I had one private pocket which escaped their search, containing a
pair of spectacles and a small spy-glass, which, being of no
consequence to the Emperor, I did not think myself bound in honor to
discover.
CHAPTER THREE
My gentleness and good behavior gained so far on the Emperor and his
Court, and, indeed, on the people in general, that I began to have
hopes of getting my liberty in a short time. The natives came by
degrees to be less fearful of danger from me. I would sometimes lie
down and let five or six of them dance on my hand; and at last the
boys and girls ventured to come and play at hide- and-seek in my
hair.
The horses of the army and of the royal stables were no longer shy,
having been daily led before me; and one of the Emperor s huntsmen,
on a large courser, took my foot, shoe and all, which was indeed a
prodigious leap. I amused the Emperor one day in a very
extraordinary manner. I took nine sticks, and fixed them firmly in
the ground in a square. Then I took four other sticks, and tied them
parallel at each corner, about two feet from the ground. I fastened
my handkerchief to the nine sticks that stood erect, and extended it
on all sides till it was as tight as the top of a drum; and I
desired the Emperor to let a troop of his best horse, twenty-four in
number, come and exercise upon this plain. His majesty approved of
the proposal, and I took them up one by one, with the proper
officers to exercise them. As soon as they got into order they
divided into two parties, discharged blunt arrows, drew their
swords, fled and pursued, and, in short, showed the best military
discipline I ever beheld. The parallel sticks secured them and their
horses from falling off the stage, and the Emperor was so much
delighted that he ordered this entertainment to be repeated several
days, and persuaded the Empress herself to let me hold her in her
chair within two yards of the stage, whence she could view the whole
performance. Fortunately no accident happened, only once a fiery
horse, pawing with his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and
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 as I had taken them up. The horse that fell was strained
in the shoulder; but the rider was not 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.
I had sent so many petitions for my liberty that his Majesty at
length mentioned the matter in a full council, where it was opposed
by none except Skyresh Bolgolam, admiral of the realm, who was
pleased without any provocation to be my mortal enemy. However, he
agreed at length, though he succeeded in himself drawing up the
conditions on which I should be set free. After they were read I was
requested to swear to perform them 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 top of my right ear. But I have made a translation of
the conditions, which I here offer to the public:
"Golbaste Mamarem Evlame Gurdile Shefin Mully Ully Gue, Most Mighty
Emperor of Lilliput, delight and terror of the universe, whose
dominions extend to the ends 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 proposeth to the Man-Mountain, lately arrived at our
celestial dominions, the following articles, which by a solemn oath
he shall be obliged to perform:
"First. The Man-Mountain shall not depart from our dominions without
our license under the great seal.
"Second. 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.
"Third. 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.
"Fourth. 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.
"Fifth. If an express requires extraordinary speed the Man-Mountain
shall be obliged to carry in his pocket the messenger and horse a
six days' journey, and return the said messenger (if so required)
safe to our imperial presence.
"Sixth. 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.
"Lastly. 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 1,724 of our subjects, with free
access to our royal person, and other marks of our favor. Given at
our palace at Belfaburac, the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon
of our reign."
I swore to these articles with great cheerfulness, whereupon my
chains were immediately unlocked, and I was at full liberty.
One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my freedom,
Reldresal, the Emperor's secretary for private affairs, came to my
house, attended only by one servant. He ordered his coach to wait at
a distance, and desired that I would give him an hour's audience. I
offered to lie down that he might the more conveniently reach my
ear; but he chose rather to let me hold him in my hand during our
conversation. He began with compliments on my liberty, but he added
that, save for the present state of things at Court, perhaps I might
not have obtained it so soon. "For," he said, "however flourishing
we may seem to foreigners, we are in danger of an invasion from the
island of Blefuscu, which is the other great empire of the universe,
almost as large and as powerful as this of his Majesty. For as to
what we have heard you say, that there are other kingdoms in the
world, inhabited by human creatures as large as yourself, our
philosophers are very doubtful, and rather conjecture that you
dropped from the moon, or one of the stars, because a hundred
mortals of your size would soon destroy all the fruit and cattle of
his Majesty's dominions. Besides, our histories of six thousand
moons make no mention of any other regions than the two mighty
empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu, which, as I was going to tell you,
are engaged in a most obstinate war, which began in the following
manner: It is allowed on all hands that the primitive way of
breaking eggs was upon the larger end; but his present Majesty's
grandfather, while he was a boy, going to eat an egg, and breaking
it according to the ancient practice, happened to cut one of his
fingers. Whereupon the Emperor, his father, made a law commanding
all his subjects to break the smaller end of their eggs. The people
so highly resented this law that there have been six rebellions
raised on that account, wherein one emperor lost his life, and
another his crown. It is calculated that eleven hundred persons have
at different times suffered rather than break their eggs at the
smaller end. But these rebels, the Bigendians, have found so much
encouragement at the Emperor of Blefuscu's Court, to which they
always fled for refuge, that a bloody war, as I said, has been
carried on between the two empires for six-and-thirty moons; and now
the Blefuscudians have equipped a large fleet, and are preparing to
descend upon us. Therefore his Imperial Majesty, placing great
confidence in your valour and strength, has commanded me to set the
case before you."
I desired the secretary to present my humble duty to the Emperor,
and to let him know that I was ready, at the risk of my life, to
defend him against all invaders.
CHAPTER FOUR
It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I
formed for seizing the enemy's whole fleet. The Empire of Blefuscu
is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred
yards wide. I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of
the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it
was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure). I walked
toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my
spy-glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor--about fifty
men-of-war, and other vessels. I then came back to my house and gave
orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of
iron. The cable was about as thick as packthread, and the bars of
the length and size of a knitting-needle. I trebled the cable to
make it stronger, and for the same reason twisted three of the iron
bars together, bending the ends into a hook. Having thus fixed fifty
hooks to as many cables, I went back to the coast, and taking off my
coat, shoes, and stockings, walked into the sea in my leather jacket
about half an hour before high water. I waded with what haste I
could, swimming in the middle about thirty yards, till I felt
ground, and thus arrived at the fleet in less than half an hour. The
enemy was so frightened when they saw me that they leaped out of
their ships and swam ashore, where there could not be fewer than
thirty thousand. Then, fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of
each ship, I tied all the cords together at the end. Meanwhile the
enemy discharged several thousand arrows, many of which stuck in my
hands and face. My greatest fear was for my eyes, which I should
have lost if I had not suddenly thought of the pair of spectacles
which had escaped the Emperor's searchers. These I took out and
fastened upon my nose, and thus armed went on with my work in spite
of the arrows, many of which struck against the glasses of my
spectacles, but without any other effect than slightly disturbing
them. Then, taking the knot in my hand, I began to pull; but not a
ship would stir, for they were too fast held by their anchors. Thus
the boldest part of my enterprise remained. Letting go the cord, I
resolutely cut with my knife the cables that fastened the anchors,
receiving more than two hundred shots in my face and hands. Then I
took up again 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.
When the Blefuscudians saw the fleet moving in order, and me pulling
at the end, they set up a scream of grief and despair that it is
impossible to describe. 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 arrival.
I then took off my spectacles, and after waiting about an hour, till
the tide was a little fallen, I waded on to the royal port of
Lilliput.
The Emperor and his whole Court stood on the shore awaiting me. They
saw the ships move forward in a large half-moon, but could not
discern me, who, in the middle of the channel, was under water up to
my neck. The Emperor concluded that I was drowned, and that the
enemy's fleet was approaching in a hostile manner. But he was soon
set at ease, 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 Emperor of Lilliput!" The Prince
received me at my landing with all possible joy, and made me a
Nardal on the spot, which is the highest title of honor among them.
His Majesty desired that I would take some opportunity to bring all
the rest of his enemy's ships into his ports, and seemed to think of
nothing less than conquering the whole Empire of Blefuscu, and
becoming the sole monarch of the world. But I plainly protested that
I would never be the means of bringing a free and brave people into
slavery; and though the wisest of the Ministers were of my opinion,
my open refusal was so opposed to his Majesty's ambition that he
could never forgive me. And from this time a plot began between
himself and those of his Ministers who were my enemies, that nearly
ended in my utter destruction.
About three weeks after this exploit there arrived an embassy from
Blefuscu, with humble offers of peace, which was soon concluded, on
terms very advantageous to our Emperor. There were six ambassadors,
with a train of about five hundred persons, all very magnificent.
Having been privately told that I had befriended them, they made me
a visit, and paying me many compliments on my valour and generosity,
invited me to their kingdom in the Emperor their master's name. I
asked them to present my most humble respects to the Emperor their
master, whose royal person I resolved to attend before I returned to
my own country. Accordingly, the next time I had the honor to see
our Emperor I desired his general permission to visit the
Blefuscudian monarch. This he granted me, but in a very cold manner,
of which I afterward learned the reason.
When I was just preparing to pay my respects to the Emperor of
Blefuscu, a distinguished person at Court, to whom I had once done a
great service, came to my house very privately at night, and without
sending his name desired admission. I put his lordship into my coat
pocket, and, giving orders to a trusty servant to admit no one, I
fastened the door, placed my visitor on the table, and sat down by
it. His lordship's face was full of trouble; and he asked me to hear
him with patience, in a matter that highly concerned my honor and my
life.
"You are aware," he said, "that Skyresh Bolgolam has been your
mortal enemy ever since your arrival, and his hatred is increased
since your great success against Blefuscu, by which his glory as
admiral is obscured. This lord and others have accused you of
treason, and several councils have been called in the most private
manner on your account. Out of gratitude for your favours I procured
information of the whole proceedings, venturing my head for your
service, and this was the charge against you:
"First, that you, having brought the imperial fleet of Blefuscu into
the royal port, were commanded by his Majesty to seize all the other
ships, and put to death all the Bigendian exiles, and also all the
people of the empire who would not immediately consent to break
their eggs at the smaller end. And that, like a false traitor to his
Most Serene Majesty, you excused yourself from the service on
pretence of unwillingness to force the consciences and destroy the
liberties and lives of an innocent people.
"Again, when ambassadors arrived from the Court of Blefuscu, like a
false traitor, you aided and entertained them, though you knew them
to be servants of a prince lately in open war against his Imperial
Majesty.
"Moreover, you are now preparing, contrary to the duty of a faithful
subject, to voyage to the Court of Blefuscu.
"In the debate on this charge," my friend continued, "his Majesty
often urged the services you had done him, while the admiral and
treasurer insisted that you should be put to a shameful death. But
Reldresal, secretary for private affairs, who has always proved
himself your friend suggested that if his Majesty would please to
spare your life and only give orders to put out both your eyes,
justice might in some measure be satisfied. At this Bolgolam rose up
in fury, wondering how the secretary dared desire to preserve the
life of a traitor; and the treasurer, pointing out the expense of
keeping you, also urged your death. But his Majesty was graciously
pleased to say that since the council thought the loss of your eyes
too easy a punishment, some other might afterward be inflicted. And
the secretary, humbly desiring to be heard again, said that as to
expense your allowance might be gradually lessened, so that, for
want of sufficient food you should grow weak and faint, and die in a
few months, when his Majesty's subjects might cut your flesh from
your bones and bury it, leaving the skeleton for the admiration of
posterity.
"Thus, through the great friendship of the secretary the affair was
arranged. It was commanded that the plan of starving you by degrees
should be kept a secret; but the sentence of putting out your eyes
was entered on the books. In three days your friend the secretary
will come to your house and read the accusation before you, and
point out the great mercy of his Majesty, that only condemns you to
the loss of your eyes--which, he does not doubt, you will submit to
humbly and gratefully. Twenty of his Majesty's surgeons will attend,
to see the operation well performed, by discharging very
sharp-pointed arrows into the balls of your eyes as you lie on the
ground.
"I leave you," said my friend, "to consider what measures you will
take; and, to escape suspicion, I must immediately return, as
secretly as I came."
His lordship did so; and I remained alone, in great perplexity. At
first I was bent on resistance; for while I had liberty I could
easily with stones pelt the metropolis to pieces; but I soon
rejected that idea with horror, remembering the oath I had made to
the Emperor, and the favours I had received from him. At last,
having his Majesty's leave to pay my respects to the Emperor of
Blefuscu, I resolved to take this opportunity. Before the three days
had passed I wrote a letter to my friend the secretary telling him
of my resolution; and, without waiting for an answer, went to the
coast, and entering the channel, between wading and swimming reached
the port of Blefuscu, where the people, who had long expected me,
led me to the capital.
His Majesty, with the royal family and great officers of the Court,
came out to receive me, and they entertained me in a manner suited
to the generosity of so great a prince. I did not, however, mention
my disgrace with the Emperor of Lilliput, since I did not suppose
that prince would disclose the secret while I was out of his power.
But in this, it soon appeared, I was deceived.
CHAPTER FIVE
Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the
northeast coast of the island, I observed at some distance in the
sea something that looked like a boat overturned. I pulled off my
shoes and stockings, and wading two or three hundred yards, I
plainly saw it to be a real boat, which I supposed might by some
tempest have been driven from a ship. I returned immediately to the
city for help, and after a huge amount of labour I managed to get my
boat to the royal port of Blefuscu, where a great crowd of people
appeared, full of wonder at 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 to my native country,
and begged his orders for materials to fit it up, and leave to
depart--which, after many kindly speeches, he was pleased to grant.
Meanwhile the Emperor of Lilliput, uneasy at my long absence (but
never imagining that I had the least notice of his designs), sent a
person of rank to inform the Emperor of Blefuscu of my disgrace;
this messenger had orders to represent the great mercy of his
master, who was content to punish me with the loss of my eyes, and
who expected that his brother of Blefuscu would have me sent back to
Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be punished as a traitor. The
Emperor of Blefuscu answered with many civil excuses. He said that
as for sending me bound, his brother knew it was impossible.
Moreover, though I had taken away his fleet he was grateful to me
for many good offices I had done him in making the peace. But that
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; and he hoped in a few weeks both
empires would be free from me.
With this answer the messenger returned to Lilliput; and I (though
the monarch of Blefuscu secretly offered me his gracious protection
if I would continue in his service) hastened my departure, resolving
never more to put confidence in princes.
In about a month I was ready to take leave. The Emperor of Blefuscu,
with the Empress and the royal family, came out of the palace; and I
lay down on my face to kiss their hands, which they graciously gave
me. His Majesty presented me with fifty purses of sprugs (their
greatest gold coin) and his picture at full length, which I put
immediately into one of my gloves, to keep it from being hurt. Many
other ceremonies took place at my departure.
I stored the boat with meat and drink, and took six cows and two
bulls alive, with as many ewes and rams, intending to carry them
into my own country; 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 pledged
my honor not to carry away any of his subjects, though with their
own consent and desire.
Having thus prepared all things as well as I was able, I set sail.
When I had made twenty-four leagues, by my reckoning, from the
island of Blefuscu, I saw a sail steering to the northeast. I hailed
her, but could get no answer; yet I found I gained upon her, for the
wind slackened; and in half an hour she spied me, and discharged a
gun. I came up with her between five and six in the evening, Sept.
26, 1701; but my heart leaped within me to see her English colours.
I put my cows and sheep into my coat pockets, and got on board with
all my little cargo. The captain received me with kindness, and
asked me to tell him what place I came from last; but at my answer
he thought I was raving. However, I took my black cattle and sheep
out of my pocket, which, after great astonishment, clearly convinced
him.
We arrived in England on the 13th of April, 1702. I stayed two
months with my wife and family; but my eager desire to see foreign
countries would suffer me to remain no longer. However, while in
England I made great profit by showing my cattle to persons of
quality and others; and before I began my second voyage I sold them
for 600l. I left 1500l. with my wife, and fixed her in a good house;
then taking leave of her and my boy and girl, with tears on both
sides, I sailed on board the "Adventure."
A Voyage to Lilliput
from the Blue Fairy Book
Story Edited
by Andrew Lang |
