En848原版英语understood him right, for he expressed himself very imperfectly) that he seldom did anything without consulting it. He called it his oracle, and said, it pointed out the time for everyactionofhislife.Fromtheleftfobhetookoutanetalmostlargeenoughforafisherman,butcontrivedto open and shut likeapurse, and served himfor the same use:wefoundthereinseveral massypieces ofyellowmetal, which,if theybereal gold, mustbe of immense value."Havingthus,inobediencetoyourmajesty'scommands,diligentlysearchedall hispocketsweobserveda girdleabout his waist made ofthehideof someprodigiousanimal,fromwhich, on the left side, hung a sword of the length offivemen; and on theright, a bag orpouch divided into two cells, each cell capable of holding three of your majesty's subjects. Inone of thesecells were several globes, orballs, ofa most ponderous metal,about the bignessof our heads, and requiring a strong hand to lift them: the other cell contained a heap ofcertainblackgrains,but of nogreat bulkorweight,forwecould holdabovefiftyofthem inthepalms of ourhands."This is an exact inventory of what we found aboutthebody of theman-mountain,who usedus with great civility,and due respect to your majesty's commission. Signed and sealed onthe fourth day of the eighty-ninth moon of your majesty's auspicious reign.CLEFRINFRELOCK,MARSIFRELOCK."When this inventorywas read overtotheemperor,hedirectedme,although in verygentleterms,todeliverup the several particulars.Hefirst called formy scimitar, which Itook out,scabbard andall. In themeantimeheordered threethousand of his choicesttroops (whothen attended him) to surroundme at a distance,with their bows and arrows justreadytodischarge; but I did not observe it,for mine eyes were whollyfixed upon his majesty. He thendesired me to draw my scimitar, which, although it had got some rust by the sea water, was,in most parts, exceeding bright. I did so, and immediately all the troops gave a shoutbetween terror and surprise; for the sun shone clear, and the reflection dazzled their eyes, asI waved the scimitar to and fro in my hand. His majesty, who is a most magnanimous prince,was lessdaunted thanI could expect:heordered metoreturn it into thescabbard, and castit on the ground as gently as I could, about six feet from the end of my chain. The next thinghe demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars; by which hemeant my pocket pistols.Idrew it out, and at his desire, as well as I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging itonlywithpowder,which,bytheclosenessofmypouch,happenedtoescapewetting inthesea (an inconvenienceagainst whichall prudentmarinerstake special caretoprovide,)Ifirst cautioned the emperor not to be afraid, and then Ilet it off in the air. The astonishment第16页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
understood him right, for he expressed himself very imperfectly) that he seldom did any thing without consulting it. He called it his oracle, and said, it pointed out the time for every action of his life. From the left fob he took out a net almost large enough for a fisherman, but contrived to open and shut like a purse, and served him for the same use: we found therein several massy pieces of yellow metal, which, if they be real gold, must be of immense value. "Having thus, in obedience to your majesty's commands, diligently searched all his pockets, we observed a girdle about his waist made of the hide of some prodigious animal, from which, on the left side, hung a sword of the length of five men; and on the right, a bag or pouch divided into two cells, each cell capable of holding three of your majesty's subjects. In one of these cells were several globes, or balls, of a most ponderous metal, about the bigness of our heads, and requiring a strong hand to lift them: the other cell contained a heap of certain black grains, but of no great bulk or weight, for we could hold above fifty of them in the palms of our hands. "This is an exact inventory of what we found about the body of the man-mountain, who used us with great civility, and due respect to your majesty's commission. Signed and sealed on the fourth day of the eighty-ninth moon of your majesty's auspicious reign. CLEFRIN FRELOCK, MARSI FRELOCK." When this inventory was read over to the emperor, he directed me, although in very gentle terms, to deliver up the several particulars. He first called for my scimitar, which I took out, scabbard and all. In the mean time he ordered three thousand of his choicest troops (who then attended him) to surround me at a distance, with their bows and arrows just ready to discharge; but I did not observe it, for mine eyes were wholly fixed upon his majesty. He then desired me to draw my scimitar, which, although it had got some rust by the sea water, was, in most parts, exceeding bright. I did so, and immediately all the troops gave a shout between terror and surprise; for the sun shone clear, and the reflection dazzled their eyes, as I waved the scimitar to and fro in my hand. His majesty, who is a most magnanimous prince, was less daunted than I could expect: he ordered me to return it into the scabbard, and cast it on the ground as gently as I could, about six feet from the end of my chain. The next thing he demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars; by which he meant my pocket pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging it only with powder, which, by the closeness of my pouch, happened to escape wetting in the sea (an inconvenience against which all prudent mariners take special care to provide,) I first cautioned the emperor not to be afraid, and then I let it off in the air. The astonishment 第 16 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
8848.comEn原版英语here was much greater than at the sight of my scimitar. Hundreds fell down as if they hadbeen struck dead; and even the emperor,although he stood his ground, could not recoverhimselffor sometime.Idelivered upbothmypistols inthesamemannerasI had donemyscimitar,andthenmypouch ofpowder and bullets;begginghimthattheformermightbekeptfromfire,foritwouldkindlewiththesmallestspark,andblowuphis imperialpalaceintotheair.I likewisedeliveredupmywatch,whichtheemperorwasverycurioustosee,and commanded two ofhistallestyeomen of theguards to bear it on apoleupon theirshoulders,as draymen in England doabarrel ofale.Hewas amazed at the continual noiseitmade, and the motion ofthe minute-hand,which he could easily discern; for their sight ismuch more acute than ours: he asked the opinions of hislearned men about it, which werevarious and remote, as the reader may well imagine without my repeating; although indeed Icould not very perfectly understand them. I then gave up my silver and copper money, mypurse, with nine large pieces of gold, and some smaller ones; my knife and razor, my comband silver snuff-box, my handkerchief and journal-book. My scimitar, pistols, and pouch,wereconveyed in carriagesto hismajesty's stores;but therestofmygoodswerereturnedme.I had asI before observed, one privatepocket, which escaped their search, wherein therewas a pair ofspectacles (whichIsometimes usefor theweakness ofmine eyes,)a pocketperspective, and some other little conveniences; which, being of no consequence to theemperor,I didnot thinkmyself bound in honourtodiscover, and I apprehendedtheymightbelostorspoiledifIventuredthemoutofmypossession.CHAPTER III.[Theauthordivertstheemperor,and hisnobilityofbothsexes,inaveryuncommonmanner. The diversions of the court of Lilliput described. The author has his liberty grantedhim upon certain conditions.]Mygentlenessandgood behaviourhadgained sofaron theemperorand hiscourt,andindeed upon the army and people in general, that Ibegan to conceive hopes of getting myliberty in a short time.Itook all possible methods to cultivate this favourabledisposition.第17页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
here was much greater than at the sight of my scimitar. Hundreds fell down as if they had been struck dead; and even the emperor, although he stood his ground, could not recover himself for some time. I delivered up both my pistols in the same manner as I had done my scimitar, and then my pouch of powder and bullets; begging him that the former might be kept from fire, for it would kindle with the smallest spark, and blow up his imperial palace into the air. I likewise delivered up my watch, which the emperor was very curious to see, and commanded two of his tallest yeomen of the guards to bear it on a pole upon their shoulders, as draymen in England do a barrel of ale. He was amazed at the continual noise it made, and the motion of the minute-hand, which he could easily discern; for their sight is much more acute than ours: he asked the opinions of his learned men about it, which were various and remote, as the reader may well imagine without my repeating; although indeed I could not very perfectly understand them. I then gave up my silver and copper money, my purse, with nine large pieces of gold, and some smaller ones; my knife and razor, my comb and silver snuff-box, my handkerchief and journal-book. My scimitar, pistols, and pouch, were conveyed in carriages to his majesty's stores; but the rest of my goods were returned me. I had as I before observed, one private pocket, which escaped their search, wherein there was a pair of spectacles (which I sometimes use for the weakness of mine eyes,) a pocket perspective, and some other little conveniences; which, being of no consequence to the emperor, I did not think myself bound in honour to discover, and I apprehended they might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my possession. CHAPTER III. [The author diverts the emperor, and his nobility of both sexes, in a very uncommon manner. The diversions of the court of Lilliput described. The author has his liberty granted him upon certain conditions.] My gentleness and good behaviour had gained so far on the emperor and his court, and indeed upon the army and people in general, that I began to conceive hopes of getting my liberty in a short time. I took all possible methods to cultivate this favourable disposition. 第 17 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
8848comEn原版英语The natives came, by degrees, to be less apprehensive of any danger from me. I wouldsometimes liedown, and let five or six of them dance on my hand; and at last the boys andgirls would venture to come and playat hide-and-seek in myhair.Ihad now made a goodprogress in understanding and speaking the language. The emperor had a mind one day toentertainmewithseveral ofthecountryshows,whereintheyexceedall nationsI haveknown,bothfordexterityand magnificence.Iwasdiverted withnonesomuchasthatof therope-dancers,performed upon a slender white thread, extended about two feet, and twelveinches from the ground. Upon which I shall desire liberty, with the reader's patience, toenlargealittle.This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for great employments,and highfavour at court. Theyare trained in this art from their youth, and are not always ofnoble birth, or liberal education.When a great office is vacant,either by death or disgrace(whichoftenhappens,)fiveorsixofthosecandidatespetitiontheemperortoentertainhismajesty and thecourt with a danceon the rope; and whoever jumps thehighest,withoutfalling,succeedsinthe office.Very oftenthechiefministersthemselvesarecommandedtoshow their skill, and to convince the emperor that they have not lost their faculty. Flimnap,the treasurer, is allowed to cuta caper on the straight rope,atleast an inch higher than anyother lord in the whole empire.I have seen him do the summerset several times together,upona trencherfixed on a ropewhich isno thickerthan a common packthread inEngland.My friend Reldresal,principal secretary for privateaffairs, is, in my opinion, if Iam notpartial, the second after the treasurer; the rest of thegreat officers are much upon a par.These diversions are often attendedwithfatal accidents, whereofgreat numbersareonrecord.Imyself have seen two or three candidates breaka limb.But thedanger ismuchgreater,when the ministers themselves are commanded to show their dexterity; for, bycontending to excel themselves and their fellows, they strain so far that there is hardly oneof them who has not received afall,and some of them two or three. I was assured that, a yearortwobeforemyarrival,Flimnapwould infalliblyhavebrokehisneck,if oneoftheking'scushions, that accidentallylay on theground, had not weakened theforce of hisfall.There is likewise another diversion, which is only shown before the emperor and empress,and firstminister,upon particularoccasions.Theemperor lays on the tablethreefine silkenthreads of six inches long; one is blue, the other red, and the third green. These threads areproposed as prizes forthosepersons whom the emperor has a mind to distinguish byapeculiar mark of his favour.The ceremony is performed in his majesty's great chamber ofstate, where the candidates are to undergo a trial of dexterityverydifferentfrom the former,andsuchasIhavenotobservedtheleastresemblanceof inanyothercountryoftheneworold world.The emperor holdsa stick in his hands, both ends parallel to thehorizon,while第18页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
The natives came, by degrees, to be less apprehensive of any 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 would venture to come and play at hide-and-seek in my hair. I had now made a good progress in understanding and speaking the language. The emperor had a mind one day to entertain me with several of the country shows, wherein they exceed all nations I have known, both for dexterity and magnificence. I was diverted with none so much as that of the rope-dancers, performed upon a slender white thread, extended about two feet, and twelve inches from the ground. Upon which I shall desire liberty, with the reader's patience, to enlarge a little. This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for great employments, and high favour at court. They are trained in this art from their youth, and are not always of noble birth, or liberal education. When a great office is vacant, either by death or disgrace (which often happens,) five or six of those candidates petition the emperor to entertain his majesty and the court with a dance on the rope; and whoever jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds in the office. Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show their skill, and to convince the emperor that they have not lost their faculty. Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper on the straight rope, at least an inch higher than any other lord in the whole empire. I have seen him do the summerset several times together, upon a trencher fixed on a rope which is no thicker than a common packthread in England. My friend Reldresal, principal secretary for private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second after the treasurer; the rest of the great officers are much upon a par. These diversions are often attended with fatal accidents, whereof great numbers are on record. I myself have seen two or three candidates break a limb. But the danger is much greater, when the ministers themselves are commanded to show their dexterity; for, by contending to excel themselves and their fellows, they strain so far that there is hardly one of them who has not received a fall, and some of them two or three. I was assured that, a year or two before my arrival, Flimnap would infallibly have broke his neck, if one of the king's cushions, that accidentally lay on the ground, had not weakened the force of his fall. There is likewise another diversion, which is only shown before the emperor and empress, and first minister, upon particular occasions. The emperor lays on the table three fine silken threads of six inches long; one is blue, the other red, and the third green. These threads are proposed as prizes for those persons whom the emperor has a mind to distinguish by a peculiar mark of his favour. The ceremony is performed in his majesty's great chamber of state, where the candidates are to undergo a trial of dexterity very different from the former, and such as I have not observed the least resemblance of in any other country of the new or old world. The emperor holds a stick in his hands, both ends parallel to the horizon, while 第 18 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
En848原版英语the candidates advancing,onebyone,sometimes leap over the stick, sometimes creep underit, backward and forward, several times, according as the stick is advanced or depressed.Sometimes theemperor holds one end ofthe stick,and his firstminister the other;sometimestheministerhasitentirelytohimself.Whoeverperformshispartwithmostagility,and holds outthelongest in leapingand creeping,is rewarded with theblue-coloured silk; the red is given to the next, and the green to the third, which they all wear girttwice round about themiddle; and you seefew great persons about this court who are notadorned withoneofthesegirdlesThe horses of the army,and those of the royal stables, having been daily led before me, wereno longer shy,but would come up to my veryfeet without starting.Theriders would leapthem over my hand, as I held it on the ground; and one of the emperor's huntsmen, upon alarge courser,took my foot, shoe and all; which was indeed a prodigious leap.I had thegoodfortunetodivert theemperor onedayafteravery extraordinarymanner.I desired hewouldorder several sticks oftwofeet high, and the thickness of an ordinary cane,tobebroughtme;whereuponhismajestycommandedthemaster ofhiswoodstogivedirectionsaccordingly; and thenext morning six woodmen arrived with as many carriages, drawn byeighthorsestoeach.Itooknineofthesesticks,andfixingthemfirmlyintheground inaquadrangular figure, two feet and a half square, I took four other sticks, and tied themparallel at each corner, about two feet from the ground; thenIfastened my handkerchief tothe nine sticks that stood erect; and extended it on all sides, till it was tight as thetop ofadrum; and the four parallel sticks, rising about five inches higher than the handkerchief,served as ledgeson each side.WhenI had finished mywork,Idesired theemperortoletatroop of hisbesthorsestwenty-fourinnumber,comeand exerciseuponthisplain.Hismajesty approved of the proposal, and I took them up,one by one, in my hands, readymounted and armed, with the proper officers to exercise them.As soon as theygot intoordertheydivided intotwoparties,performedmockskirmishes,dischargedbluntarrowsdrew their swords,fled and pursued,attacked and retired,and in short discovered the bestmilitary disciplineIever beheld.Theparallel sticks secured them and their horses fromfalling over the stage; and the emperor was so much delighted, that he ordered thisentertainmenttoberepeated several days,and oncewaspleasedtobe lifted upandgivetheword ofcommand;andwithgreatdifficultypersuaded eventheempressherselftoletmehold her in herclose chair within two yards ofthe stage,when shewas ableto take afullview of thewholeperformance. It wasmygoodfortune,thatno ill accident happened inthese entertainments; only once afiery horse,that belonged toone of the captains,pawingwith his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and his foot slipping, he overthrew his riderand himself; but Iimmediatelyrelieved them both, and covering the hole with one hand,I setdown thetroopwiththeother,inthesamemanner asItookthemup.Thehorsethatfellwasstrained intheleft shoulder, butthe ridergotno hurt; and I repaired myhandkerchiefaswell asI could:however,I would not trust to the strength ofitany more, in such dangerousenterprises.第19页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
the candidates advancing, one by one, sometimes leap over the stick, sometimes creep under it, backward and forward, several times, according as the stick is advanced or depressed. Sometimes the emperor holds one end of the stick, and his first minister the other; sometimes the minister has it entirely to himself. Whoever performs his part with most agility, and holds out the longest in leaping and creeping, is rewarded with the bluecoloured silk; the red is given to the next, and the green to the third, which they all wear girt twice round about the middle; and you see few great persons about this court who are not adorned with one of these girdles. The horses of the army, and those of the royal stables, having been daily led before me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very feet without starting. The riders would leap them over my hand, as I held it on the ground; and one of the emperor's huntsmen, upon a large courser, took my foot, shoe and all; which was indeed a prodigious leap. I had the good fortune to divert the emperor one day after a very extraordinary manner. I desired he would order several sticks of two feet high, and the thickness of an ordinary cane, to be brought me; whereupon his majesty commanded the master of his woods to give directions accordingly; and the next morning six woodmen arrived with as many carriages, drawn by eight horses to each. I took nine of these sticks, and fixing them firmly in the ground in a quadrangular figure, two feet and a half square, I took four other sticks, and tied them parallel at each corner, about two feet from the ground; then I fastened my handkerchief to the nine sticks that stood erect; and extended it on all sides, till it was tight as the top of a drum; and the four parallel sticks, rising about five inches higher than the handkerchief, served as ledges on each side. When I had finished my work, I desired the emperor to let a troop of his best horses twenty-four in number, come and exercise upon this plain. His majesty approved of the proposal, and I took them up, one by one, in my hands, ready mounted and armed, with the proper officers to exercise them. As soon as they got into order they divided into two parties, performed mock skirmishes, discharged blunt arrows, drew their swords, fled and pursued, attacked and retired, and in short discovered the best military discipline I ever beheld. The parallel sticks secured them and their horses from falling over the stage; and the emperor was so much delighted, that he ordered this entertainment to be repeated several days, and once was pleased to be lifted up and give the word of command; and with great difficulty persuaded even the empress herself to let me hold her in her close chair within two yards of the stage, when she was able to take a full view of the whole performance. It was my good fortune, that no ill accident happened in these entertainments; only once a fiery horse, that belonged to one of the captains, pawing with his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and his foot slipping, he 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, in the same manner as I took them up. The horse that fell was strained in the left shoulder, but the rider got no 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. 第 19 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
En4原版英语About two or three daysbeforeI was set at liberty,as I was entertaining the court with thiskind of feat, there arrived an express to inform his majesty, that some of his subjects, ridingnear the place where I was first taken up, had seen a great black substance lying on thearound,very oddly shaped,extending itsedges round,as wideas hismajesty's bedchamberand rising up in the middle as high as a man; that it was no living creature, as they at firstapprehended, for it lay on the grass without motion; and some of them had walked round itseveral times; that, by mounting upon each other's shoulders, they had got to thetop,whichwas flat and even, and, stamping upon it, they found that it was hollow within; that theyhumbly conceived it might be something belonging to the man-mountain; and if his majestypleased, they would undertake to bring it with only five horses. I presently knew what theymeant, and was glad at heart to receive this intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching theshore after our shipwreck,I was in such confusion,thatbeforeI came to theplacewhere Iwenttosleep,myhat,whichI hadfastened with a stringtomyhead whileI wasrowing,andhad stuck on all thetimeI was swimming,fell off afterIcame toland; the string,as Iconjecture,breakingby someaccident, whichInever observed,butthoughtmyhathadbeenlost at sea.I entreated his imperial majestytogive orders itmight bebrought to meas soonas possible,describing to him the use and the nature of it: and the next day the waggonersarrived with it, but not in a very good condition; they had bored two holes in the brim,within an inch and half of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks weretied by a long cord to theharness, and thusmyhat was dragged along forabove halfanEnglish mile; but, the ground in that country being extremely smooth and level, it receivedlessdamagethanIexpected.Two daysafter this adventure,the emperor,having ordered that partofhis armywhichquarters in and about his metropolis, to be in readiness, tookafancy of diverting himself in avery singular manner.He desired I would stand like a Colossus,with my legs as far asunderasIconveniently could.Hethen commandedhisgeneral (whowasan old experiencedleader,andagreatpatronofmine)todrawupthetroopsincloseorder,andmarchthemunder me; the foot by twenty-four abreast, and the horse by sixteen, with drums beating,colours flying, and pikes advanced.This bodyconsisted ofthreethousand foot, and athousand horse. His majesty gave orders, upon pain of death, that every soldier in his marchshould observe the strictest decency with regard to my person; which however could notprevent some ofthe younger officers from turning up their eyes asthey passed under me:and, to confess the truth, my breeches were at that time in so ill a condition, thattheyafforded some opportunitiesfor laughterand admiration.I had sent so manymemorials and petitions formy liberty,that hismajestyat lengthmentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and then in a full council; where it was opposed by第20页共197页htp://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was entertaining the court with this kind of feat, there arrived an express to inform his majesty, that some of his subjects, riding near the place where I was first taken up, had seen a great black substance lying on the around, very oddly shaped, extending its edges round, as wide as his majesty's bedchamber, and rising up in the middle as high as a man; that it was no living creature, as they at first apprehended, for it lay on the grass without motion; and some of them had walked round it several times; that, by mounting upon each other's shoulders, they had got to the top, which was flat and even, and, stamping upon it, they found that it was hollow within; that they humbly conceived it might be something belonging to the man-mountain; and if his majesty pleased, they would undertake to bring it with only five horses. I presently knew what they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the shore after our shipwreck, I was in such confusion, that before I came to the place where I went to sleep, my hat, which I had fastened with a string to my head while I was rowing, and had stuck on all the time I was swimming, fell off after I came to land; the string, as I conjecture, breaking by some accident, which I never observed, but thought my hat had been lost at sea. I entreated his imperial majesty to give orders it might be brought to me as soon as possible, describing to him the use and the nature of it: and the next day the waggoners arrived with it, but not in a very good condition; they had bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and half of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks were tied by a long cord to the harness, and thus my hat was dragged along for above half an English mile; but, the ground in that country being extremely smooth and level, it received less damage than I expected. Two days after this adventure, the emperor, having ordered that part of his army which quarters in and about his metropolis, to be in readiness, took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular manner. He desired I would stand like a Colossus, with my legs as far asunder as I conveniently could. He then commanded his general (who was an old experienced leader, and a great patron of mine) to draw up the troops in close order, and march them under me; the foot by twenty-four abreast, and the horse by sixteen, with drums beating, colours flying, and pikes advanced. This body consisted of three thousand foot, and a thousand horse. His majesty gave orders, upon pain of death, that every soldier in his march should observe the strictest decency with regard to my person; which however could not prevent some of the younger officers from turning up their eyes as they passed under me: and, to confess the truth, my breeches were at that time in so ill a condition, that they afforded some opportunities for laughter and admiration. I had sent so many memorials and petitions for my liberty, that his majesty at length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and then in a full council; where it was opposed by 第 20 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网