A Voyage to Lilliput

A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT

CHAPTER I

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 labor 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 II

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 honored 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 III

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 center, 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 valor 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 IV

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 valor 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 favors 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 favors

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 V

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 labor 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 colors. 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 600_l_. I left 1500_l_.

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.” (1)

(1) Swift.