I

life, and, as I reckoned, about nine hours; for when I awaked, it was just day-light. I attempted to rife, but was not able to ftir; for as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each fide to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same manner. I likewise felt several flender ligatures across my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs. I could only look upwards, the fun began to grow hot, and the light offended my eyes. heard a confused noise about me; but, in the posture 1 lay, could fee nothing except the sky. In a little time I felt fomething alive moving on my left leg, which advancing gently forward over my breast, came almost up to my chin; when bending my eyes downward as much as I could, I perceived it to be a human creature not fix inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back. In the mean time, I felt at least forty more of the fame kind (as I conjectured) following the first. I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so loud, that they all ran back in a fright; and fome of them, as I was afterwards told, were hurt with the falls they got by leaping from my fides upon the ground. However, they foon returned, and one of them, who ventured so far as to get a full fight of my face, lifting up his hands and eyes by way of dmiration, cried out in a thrill but distinct voice, bekinah degul: the others repeated the fame words several times, but I then knew not what they meant. I lay all this while, as the reader may believe, in great uneasiness; at length, struggling to get loose, I had the fortune to break the strings, and wrench out the pegs that fastened my left arm to the ground; for, by lifting it up to my face, I discovered the methods they had taken to bind me, and at the same time with a violent pull, which gave me excessive pain, I a little loofened the strings that tied down my hair on the left fide, 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 in a very shrill accent, and after it ceafed, I heard one of them cry aloud, tolgo phonac; when in an instant I felt above an hundred arrows discharged on my left hand, which pricked me like to many needles; and besides, they shot another flight into the air, as we do bombs in Europe, whereof many, I fuppofe, fell on my body, (though I felt them not) and

some on my face, which I immediately covered with my left hand. When this shower of arrows was over, I fell a groaning with grief aud pain, and then ftriving again to get loose, they discharged another volley larger than the first, and fome of them attempted with spears to stick me in the fides; but by good luck I had on me a buff jerkin, which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie ftill, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand being already loose, I could easily free myself: and as for the inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match for the greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the fame fize with him that I faw, But fortune disposed otherways of me. When the people observed I was quiet, they discharged no more arrows: but, by the noise I heard, I knew their numbers increased: and about four yards from me, over-against my right ear, I heard a knocking for above an hour, like that of people at work; when turning my head that way as well as the pegs and strings would permit me, I faw a flage erected about a foot and a half from the ground, capable of holding four of the inhabitants, with two or three ladders to mount it: from whence one of them, who seemed to be a perfon of quality, made me a long speech, whereof I understood not one fyllable. But I should have mentioned, that before the principal person began his oration, he cried out three times, langro debul fan; (thefe words and the former were afterwards repeated and explained to me.) Whereupon immediately about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the strings that fastened the left fide of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning it to the right, and of observing the perfon and gesture of him that was to fpeak. He appeared to be of a middle age, and taller than any of the other three who attended him, whereof one was a page that held up his train, and seemed to be fomewhat longer than my middle finger; the other two stood one on each fide to support him. He acted every part of an orator, and I could observe many periods of threatenings, and others of promises, pity, and kindness. I answered in a few words, but in the most submiffive manner, lifting up my left hand and both my eyes to the fun, as calling him for a witness; and being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a morfel for fome hours before I left the ship, I found the

*

demands

demands of nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear shewing my impatience (perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by putting my finger frequently to my mouth, to fignify that I wanted food. The burgo (for to they call a great ford, as I afterwards learnt) understood me very well. He descended from the stage, and commanded that several ladders should be applied to my fides, on which above an hundred of the inhabitants mounted, and walked towards my mouth, laden with baskets full of meat, which had been provided and fent thither by the king's orders, upon the first intelligence he received of me. I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not diftinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders, legs, and loins, shaped like those of mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than the wings of a lark. I eat them by two or three at a mouthful, and took three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket-bullets. They supplied me as fast as they could, shewing a thousand marks of wonder and astonishment at my bulk and appetite. I then made another fign that I wanted drink. They found by my eating, that a small quantity would not fuffice me, and being a most ingenious people, they slung up with great dexterity one of their largest hogfheads, then rolled it towards 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, and tasted like a small wine of Burgundy, but much more delicious. They brought me a second hogfhead, which I drank in the fame manner, and made figns for more; but they had none to give me. When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced upon my breast, repeating several times as they did at first, bekinah degul. They made me a sign that I should throw down the two hogsheads, but first warning the people below to stand out of the way, crying aloud, borach mevola, and when they faw the vessels in the air, there was an universal shout of hekinah degul. I confefs, I was often tempted, while they were paffing backwards and forwards on my body to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in my reach, and dash them against the ground. But the remembrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the promise of honour I made them, for fo I interpreted my fubmiffive behaviour, soon drove out these imaginations. Besides, I now

confidered myself as bound by the laws of hofpitality to a people, who had treated me with fo much expence and magnificence. However, in my thoughts I could not fufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk upon my body, while one of my hands was at liberty, without trembling at the very fight of so prodigious a creature, as I must appear to them. After some time, when they observed that I madė no more demands for meat, there appeared before me a person of high rank from his imperial majetty. His excellency, having mounted on the small of my right leg, advanced forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue. And producing his credentials under the fignet royal, which he applied close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes without any signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution; often pointing forwards, which, as I afterwards found, was towards the capital city, about half a mile distant, whither it was agreed by his majesty in council that I must be conveyed. I answered in few words, but to no purpose, and made a fign 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) and then to my own head and body, to fignify that I defired my liberty. It appeared that he understood me well enough, for he shook his head by way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to shew, that I must be carried as a prisoner. However, he made other figns to let me understand that I should have meat and drink enough, and very good treatment. Whereupon I once more thought of attempting to break my bonds, but again, when I felt the smart of their arrows upon my face and hands, which were all in blisters, and many of the darts still sticking in them, and observing likewise that the number of my enemies increased, I gave tokens to let them know, that they might do with me what they pleased. Upon this the burgo and his train withdrew with much civility and chearful countenances. Soon after I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the words, peplom felan, and I felt great numbers of people on my left fide relaxing the cords to such a degree that I was able to turn upon my right, and to ease myself with making water; which I very plenti. fully did, to the great aftonishment of the people, who conjecturing by my motion what I was going to do, immediately open

4

ed to the right and left on that fide, to avoid the torrent which fell with such noise and violence from me. But before this, they had daubed my face and both my hands with a fort of ointment very pleafant to the smell, which in a few minutes removed all the smart of their arrows. These circumstances, added to the refreshment I had received by their victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, difposed me to fleep. I slept about eight hours, as I was afterwards assured; and it was no wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's order, had mingled a fleepy potion in the hogshead of wine.

It seems that, upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the ground after my landing, the emperor had early notice of it by an express; and determined in council that I should be tied in the manner I have related, (which was done in the night while 1 flept) that plenty of meat and drink should be sent to me, and a machine prepared to carry me to the capital city.

This resolution perhaps may appear very bold and dangerous, and I am confident would not be imitated by any prince in Europe on the like occafion; however, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent, as well as generous: for fuppofing these people had endeavoured to kill me with their spears and arrows while I was asleep, I should certainly have awaked with the first sense of fmart, which might so far have rouzed my rage and strength, as to have enabled me to break the strings wherewith I was tied; after which, as they were not able to make resistance, so they could expect no mercy.

These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great perfection in mechanics by the countenance and encouragement of the emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. This prince hath feveral machines fixed on wheels for the carriage of trees and other great weights. He often builds his largest men of war, whereof fome are nine feet long, in the woods where the timber grows, and has them carried on these engines three or four hundred yards to the sea. Five hundred carpenters and engineers were immediately let at work to prepare the greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood raised three inches from the ground, about feven feetlong and four wide, moving upon twenty-two wheels. The shout I heard was upon the arrival of this engine, which

it seems set out in four hours after my land ing. It was brought parallel to me as lay. But the principal difficulty was to raise and place me in this vehicle. Eighty poles, each of one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and very strong cords, of the bignets of packthread, were faftened by hooks to many bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my hands, my body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to draw up these cords by many pullies fastened on the poles, and thus, in less than three hours, I was raised and flung into the engine, and there tied fast. All this I was told, for, while the whole operation was performing, I lay in a profound sleep by the force of that foporiferous medicine infused into my liquor. Fifteen hundred of the emperor's largest horses, each about four inches and an half high, were employed to draw me towards the metropolis, which, as I faid, was half a mile diftant.

About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked by a very ridiculous accident; for the carriage being stopt awhile to adjust something that was out of order, two or three of the young natives had the curiofity to see how I looked when I was afleep; they climbed up into the engine, and advancing very softly to my face, one of them, an officer in the guards, put the sharp end of his half-pike a good way up into my left noftril, which tickled my note like a straw, and made me sneeze violently*: whereupon they stole off unperceived, and it was three weeks before I knew the cause of my awaking so suddenly. We made a long march the remaining part of the day, and rested at night with five hundred guards on each fide of me, half with torches, and half with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me, if I should offer to stir. The next morning at fun-rife we continued our march, and arrived within two hundred yards of the city-gates about noon. emperor, and all his court, came out to

The

* It has been remarked, that courage in whatever caute, though it fometimes excites indignation, is never the object of contempt; but this appears to be true, only because courage is fuppoted to imply fuperiority: for this officer in the guards becomes extremely ridiculous and contemptible by an act of the most daring curiofiry, which fets him in comparison with Gulliver; to whom he was fo much inferior, that a blaft of the Man-mountain's noftrils would have endangered his life; and if he roifm itself is not proof againft ridicule, thofe fusely are Liiliputians in philosophy, who contider ridicule as the test of truth.

meet us, but his great officers would by no means suffer his majesty to endanger his person by mounting on my body.

At the place where the carriage stopt, there ftood an ancient temple, esteemed to be the largest in the whole kingdom,

which, having been polluted fome years

before by an unnatural murder, was, according to the zeal of those people, looked

upon as prophane, and therefore had been

applied to common use, and all the ornaments and furniture carried away. In this edifice it was determined I should lodge.

The great gate fronting to the north was about four feet high, and almost two feet wide, through which I could easily creep. On each fide of the gate was a small win

dow, not above fix inches from the ground: into that on the left fide the king's smith conveyed fourscore and eleven chains, like those that hang to a lady's watch in Europe, and almost as large, which were locked to my left leg with fix-and-thirty padlocks. Over-against this temple, on the other fide of the great highway, at twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here the emperor afcended, with many principal lords of his court, to have an opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I could not fee

them. It was reckoned that above an

hundred thousand inhabitants came out of the town upon the fame errand; and, in spite of my guards, I believe there could not be fewer than ten thousand at feveral

times, who mounted my body by the help

of ladders. But a proclamation was

a

issued to forbid it on pain of death. When the workmen found it was impoffible for me to break loofe, they cut all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose up with as melancholy difpofition as ever I had in my life. But the noise and aftonish ment of the people at feeing walk are not to be expressed. The chains that held my left leg were about two yards

me rife and

long, and gave me not only the liberty of walking backwards and forwards in a femicircle; but, being fixed within four inches of the gate, allowed me to creep in, and lie at my full length in the temple.

CHAP. II.

The emperor of Lilliput, attended by feveral of the nobility, comes to see the author in his confinement. The emperor's perfon and babit described. Learned men appointed to teach the author their language. He gains favour by his mild difpofition. His

pockets are searched, and his fword and pistols taken from him.

When I found myself on my feet, I looked about me, and must confefs I never beheld a more entertaining profpect. The country around appeared like a continued

garden, and the inclofed fields, which were generally forty feet square, refembled fo many beds of flowers. These fields were intermingled with woods of half a stang*, and the tallest trees, as I could judge, appeared to be seven feet high. I viewed the town on my left hand, which looked like the painted scene of a city in a the

atre.

I had been for some hours extremely pressed by the neceffities of nature; which was no wonder, it being almost two days fince I had last disburthened myself. I was under great difficulties between urgency and shame. The best expedient I could think on, was to creep into my house, which I accordingly did; and, shutting the gate after me, I went as far as the length of my chain would fuffer, and difcharged my body of that uneasy load. But this was the only time I was ever guilty of fo cleanly an action: for which I cannot but hope the candid reader will give fome allowance, after he hath maturely and impartially confidered my cafe, and the diftress I was in. From this time my constant practice was, as foon as I rofe, to perform that business in open air at the full extent of my chain; and due care was

un

taken every morning, before company

came, that the offensive matter should be carried off in wheel-barrows by two fervants appointed for that purpose. I would not have dwelt so long upon a circumstance, that perhaps at first fight may appear not very momentous, if I had not thought it neceffary to justify my character, in point of cleanliness, to the world; which I am told some of my maligners have been pleased, upon this and other oc cafions, to call in question.

When this adventure was at an end, I came back out of my house, having occa. fion for fresh air. The emperor was already descended from the tower, and advancing on horseback towards me, which had like to have cost him dear; for the beast, though very well trained, yet wholly unused to fuch a fight, which appeared as if a mountain moved before him, reared up on his hinder feet: but that prince, who * A stang is a pole or perch; fixteen feet and

an half.

3 Q2

is

sexes,

is an excellent horseman, kept his feat till his attendants ran in and held his bridle, while his majesty had time to dismount. When he alighted, he surveyed me round with great admiration; but kept beyond the length of my chain. He ordered his cooks and butlers, who were already prepared, to give me victuals and drink, which they pushed forward in a fort of vehicles upon wheels, till I could reach them. I took these vehicles, and foon emptied them all; twenty of them were filled with meat, and ten with liquor; each of the former afforded me two or three good mouthfuls; and I emptied the liquor of ten vessels, which was contained in earthen vials, into one vehicle, drinking it off at a draught: and so I did the rest. The empress, and young princes of the blood of both fe attended by many ladies, fat at some diftance in their chairs; but upon the accident that happened to the emperor's horse, they alighted, and came near his perfon, which I am now going to describe. He is taller, by almost the breadth of my nail, than any of his court, which alone is enough to strike an awe into the beholders. His features are strong and masculine, with an Auftrian lip and arched nose, his complex. ion olive, his countenance erect, his body and limbs well proportioned, all his motions graceful, and his deportment majestic. He was then past his prime, being twentyeight years and three quarters old, of which he had reigned about seven in great felicity, and generally victorious. For the better convenience of beholding him, I lay on my fide, so that my face was parallel to his, and he stood but three yards off: however, I have had him since many times in my hand, and therefore cannot be deceived in the description. His dress was very plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the Afiatic and the European: but he had on his head a light helmet of gold adorned with jewels, and a plume on the creft. He held his sword drawn in his hand to defend himself, if I should happen to break loofe; it was almost three inches long; the hilt and scabbard were gold en

* The mafculine strength of features, which Gulliver could not fee till he laid his face upon the ground, and the awful fuperiority of stature in a being whom he held in his hand; the helmet, the plume, and the sword, are a fine reproof of human pride; the objects of which are trifting diftinctions, whether of perfon or rank; the ridiculous parade and oftentation of a pigmy; which derive not only their origin but their use from the folly, weakness, and imperfection of ourselves and others.

riched with diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very clear and articulate, and I could distinctly hear it, when I stood up. The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad, so that the spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread on the ground embroidered with figures of gold and filver. His imperial majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers; but neither of us could understand a fyllable. There were several of his priests and lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits) who were commanded to address themselves to me, and I spoke to them in as many languages as I had the least smattering of, which were high and low Dutch, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua Franca; but all to no purpose. After about two hours the court retired, and I was left with a strong guard to prevent the impertinence, and probably the malice, of the rabble, who were very impatient to crowd about me as near as they durst, and fome of them had the impudence to shoot their arrows at me, as I fat on the ground by the door of my house, whereof one very narrowly missed my left eye. But the colonel ordered fix of the ringleaders to be seized, and thought no punishment so proper as to deliver them bound into my hands; which some of his foldiers accordingly did, pushing them forwards with the but-ends of their pikes into my reach: I took them all in my right hand, put five of them into my coat-pocket, and as to the fixth, I made a countenance as if I would eat him alive. The poor man fqualled terribly, and the colonel and his officers were in much pain, especially when they saw me take out my penknife: but I foon put them out of fear; for, looking mildly, and immediately cutting the strings he was bound with, I set him gently on the ground, and away he ran. I treated the rest in the fame manner, taking them one by one out of my pocket; and I observed both the foldiers and people were highly delighted at this mark of my clemency, which was represented very much to my advantage at court.

Towards night I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay on the ground, and continued to do so about a fortnight; during which time the emperor gave orders to have a bed prepared for me. Six hundred bedst of the common measure were

† Gulliver has observed great exactness in the just proportion and appearances of the object thus

leffened. ORREAY.

brought