Latest / Classic Adventure Books Collection / 01 - Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift
Transcript
- Part one, A Voyage to Lilliput. Chapter one, the author gives some account of himself and family, his first inducements to travel. He is shipwrecked and swims for his life, gets safe on shore in the country of Lilliput, is made a prisoner and carried up the country. My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire. I was the third of five sons. He sent me to Emmanuel College in Cambridge at fourteen years old, where I resided three years and applied myself close to my studies, but the charge of maintaining me, although I had a very scanty allowance, being too great for an hour of fortune, I was bound apprentice to mister James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom I continued four years. My father now and then sending me small sums of money. I laid them out in learning navigation and other parts of the mathematics useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be some time or other my fortune to do. When I left mister Bates, I went down to my father, where, by the assistance of him and my uncle John and some other relations, I got forty pounds, and I promise of thirty pounds a year to maintain me at Leyden. There I studied physic two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages. Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master mister Bates to be surgeon to the Swallow Captain Abraham Pannell, Commander, with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage or two into the Levant and some other parts. When I came back, I resolved to settle in London, to which mister Bates, my master, encouraged me, and by him I was recommended to several patients. I took part of a small house in the Old Jury, and, being advised to old my condition, I married missus Mary Burton, second daughter to mister Edmund Burton, Hosier, in Newgate Street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for a portion. But my good master Bates dying in two years after, and I having few friends, my business began to fail, for my conscience would not suffer me to imitate the bad practice of too many among my brethren. Having therefore consulted with my wife and some of my acquaintance, I determined to go again to see I was surgeon successively in two ships, and made several long voyages for six years to the East and West Indies, by which I got some addition to my fortune. My hours of leisure I spent in reading the best authors, ancient and modern, being always provided with a good number of books, and when I was ashore, in observing the manners and dispositions of the people, as well as learning their language, wherein I had a great facility by the strength of my memory. The last of the voyages not proving very fortunate, I grew weary of the sea and intended to stay at home with my wife and family. I removed from the Old Drury to Fetterlane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to get business among the sailors, but it would not turn to account. After three years, expectation that things would mend, I accepted an advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master of the Antelope, who was making a voyage to the South Sea. We set sail from Bristol May fourth, sixteen ninety nine, and our voyage was at first very prosperous. It would not be proper for some reasons to trouble the reader with the particulars of our adventures in those seas, let it suffice to inform him that, in our passage from Thence to the East Indies, we were driven by a violent storm to the northwest of Van de EM's Land. By an observation, we found ourselves in the latitude of the thirty degrees two minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by a moderate labor and ill food. The rest were in very weak condition. On the fifth of November, which was the beginning of summer in those parts, the weather being very hazy, the seaman spied a rock within half a cable's length of the ship, but the wind was so strong that we were driven directly upon it and immediately split. Six of the crew, of whom I was one. Having let down the boat into the sea, made a shift to get clear of the ship and the rock. We rowed, by my computation, about three leagues till we were able to work no longer, being already spent with labor while we were in the ship. We therefore trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves, and in about half an hour the boat was overset by a sudden flurry from the north. What became of my companions in the boat, as well as those who escaped on the rock or were left in the vessel, I cannot tell, but conclude they were all lost. For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop and could feel no bottom. But when I was almost gone and able to struggle no longer, I found myself within my depth. And by this time the storm was much abated. The declivity was so small that I walked near a mile before I got to the shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening. I then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any sign of houses or inhabitants. At least I was in so weak a condition that I did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that and the heat of the weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I drank as I left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft, where I slipped sounder than ever. I remembered to have done in my life, and as I reckoned about nine hours for when I awaked it was just daylight. I attempted to rise, but was not able to stir, for as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each side to the ground, and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures across my body, from my armpits to my thighs. I could only look upwards, the sun beginning to grow hot, and the light offended my eyes. I heard a confused noise about me, but in the posture I lay, could see nothing except the sky. In a little time, I felt something alive moving on my left leg, which, advancing gently forward over my breast, came almost up to my chin. When bending my eyes downwards as much as I could, 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 of the same kind. As I conjectured. Following the first, I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so loud that they all ran back in affright, and some of them, as I was afterwards told, were hurt with the fools 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, lifting up his hands and eyes by way of admiration, cried out in a shrill but distinct voice, he can hell, they girl. The others repeated the same words several times, but then I knew not what they meant. I lay all this well, 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 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 loosened the strings that tied down my hair on the left side, 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 ceased, I heard one of them cry aloud, Tagovarnak, when in an instant I felt above a hundred arrows discharged on my left hand, which pricked me like so many needles. And besides they shut another flight into the air, as we do bombs in Europe, whereof many I suppose 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 and pain, and then again, striving to get loose, they discharged another volley larger than the first, and some of them attempted with spears to stick me in the side, but by good luck I had on a buff jerkin which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie still, 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 same size with him. That I saw, but fortune disposed otherwise 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 saw a stage 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 person of quality, made me a long speech, whereof I understood not one syllable, but I should have mentioned that before the principal person began his irritation, he cried out three times, leg good de hous on. These 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 side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning it to the right, and of observing the person and gesture of him, that was to speak. 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 somewhat longer than a middle finger. The other two stood one on each side 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 submissive manner, lifting up my left hand and both my eyes to the sun, as calling him for a witness, and being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a morsel for some hours before I left the ship, I found the demands of nature so strong upon me that I could not forbear showing my impatience, perhaps against the strict rules of decency, by putting my finger frequently to my mouth to signify that I wanted food. The hurgo for so they called a great lord, as I, after was learnt, understood me very well. He descended from the stage and commanded that several ladders should be applied to my sides, on which above a hundred of the inhabitants mounted and walked towards my mouth, laden with baskets full of meat, which had been provided and sent thither by the King's orders. Upon the first intelligence who received of me, I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not distinguish them by their 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 ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket balls. They supplied me as fast as they could, showing a thousand marks of wonder and astonishment at my bulk and appetite. I then made another sign that I wanted drink. They found by my eating that a small quantity would not suffice me, And being a most ingenious people, they slung up with great dexterity, one of their largest hogsheads, then rolled it towards my hand and beat at the top. I drank it off at a draft, 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 hogshead, which I drank in the same manner, and made signs for more, but they had none to give me. When I had reformed these wonders, they shouted for joy and danced upon my breast, repeating several times as they did at first, he can aw to go. They made me a sign that I should throw down the two hogsheads, but first warning the people below to stand out the way, crying aloud, poor hush me velar. And when they saw the vessels in the air, there was a universal shout of he can aw to go. I confess I was often tempted, while they were passing backwards and forwards of 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 honor I made them for so I interpreted my submissive behavior soon drove out these imaginations. Besides, I now consider myself as bound by the laws of hospitality to a people who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence. However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently 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 sight of so prodigious a creature, as I must appear to them. After some time, when they observed that I made no more demands from meat, there appeared before me a person of high rank from his Imperial Majesty. 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 signet 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 distance, whither it was agreed by His Majesty and Council that I must be conveyed. I answered, in few words, but to no purpose. I made a sign of 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 signify that I desired my liberty. It appeared that he understood me well enough, for he shook his head by way of disst probation, and held his hand in a posture to show the times to be carried as a prisoner. However, he made other signs 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 as they pleased. Upon this, the Hurgo and his train withdrew with much civility and cheerful countenances. Soon after I heard a general shout with frequent repetitions of the words pepelon, celon, and I felt great numbers of people on my left side relax in the cords to such a degree that I was able to turn upon my right and to ease myself of making water, which I very plentifully did, to the great astonishment of the people, who, conjecturing by my motion what I was going to do, immediately opened to the right and left on that side to avoid the torrent, which fell with such noise and violence from me. But before this they had darted my face in both my hands with a sort of ointment very pleasant to the smell, which in a few minutes removed all the smarter of their arrows. These circumstances, added to the refreshment I erate received by their victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, disposed me to sleep. I slept about eight hours, as I was afterwards assured, and it was no wonder for the physicians, by the Emperor's orders, had mingled a sleepy potion into the hogsheads 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 express and determined in council 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 to me, and a machine prepared to carry me to the capital city. This resolution may appear very bold and dangerous, and I am confident would not be imitated by any prince in Europe on the like occasion. However, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent as well as generous. For supposing these people had endeavored to kill me with their spears and arrows while I was asleep, I should certainly have awaked with the first sense of smart which might so far have roused my rage and strength as to enable 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 mechanics by the countenance and encouragement of the Emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. This prince has several machines fixed on wheels for the carriage of trees and other great weights. He often builds his largest men of war whereof someone 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 set at work to prepare the greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood raised three inches from the ground, about seven feet long 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 landing. It was brought parallel to me as I lay. But the principal difficulty was to raise and place me in this vehicle. Poles, each of one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and very strong cords of the bigness of pack thread were fastened by hooks to many bandages which the workmen had girt around my neck, my hands, my body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to draw up these cords by many pulleys fastened on the poles, and thus in less than three hours I was raised and slung into the engine, and there tied fast. All this I was told, for while the operation was performing, I lay in a profound sleep. By the force of that soperiferous medicine infused into my liquor. Fifteen hundred of the Emperor's largest horses, each about four inches and a half high, were employed to draw me towards the metropolis, which as I said, was half a mile distant. About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked by a very ridiculous accident, for the carriage being stopped awhile to adjust something that was out of order. Two or three of the young natives had the curiosity to see how I looked when I was asleep. 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 nostril, which tickled my nose 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 waking. So suddenly we made along march the remaining part of the day, and rested at night, with the five hundred guards on each side of me, half with torches and half with bow and arrows, ready to shoot me if I should offer to stir. The next morning, at sunrise, we continued our march and arrived within two hundred yards of the city gates. About noon. The Emperor and all his court came out to meet us, but his great officers would by no means suffer his majesty to endanger his position by mounting onto my body. At the place where the carriage stopped, there stood an ancient temple, esteemed to be the largest in the whole kingdom, which, having been polluted some years before by an unnatural murder, was, according to the zeal of those people, looked upon as profane, 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 side of the gate was a small window not above six inches from the ground. Into that on the left side the king smith conveyed four score and eleven chains, like those that hanged to a lady's watter in Europe, and almost as large, which were locked to my left leg with six and thirty padlocks. Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here the Emperor ascended with many principal lords of his court to have an opportunity of viewing me as I was told, for I could not see them. It was reckoned that above a hundred thousand inhabitants came out of the town upon the same errand, And in spite of my guards, I believed there could not be fewer than ten thousand at several times who mounted my body by the help of ladders. But a proclamation was soon issued to forbid it pompaine of death. When the workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose, they cut all the strings that bound me, whereupon I rose up with as melancholy a disposition as ever I had in my life. But the noise and astonishment of the people at seeing me rise and walk are not to be expressed. The chains that held my left leg were about two yards long, and gave me not only the liberty of walking backwards and forwards in a semicircle, but being fixed within four inch to the gate, allowed me to creep in and light my full length in the temple. End of Chapter one, Part one