8848.comEn原版英语none,except Skyresh Bolgolam,whowas pleased,without any provocation,tobemy mortalenemy.But it was carried against himbythe whole board,and confirmed bythe emperorThat minister was galbet, or admiral ofthe realm,very much in his master's confidence, andaperson well versedinaffairs,butofamoroseand sour complexion.However,hewasatlengthpersuaded to comply;butprevailedthatthearticles and conditionsupon whichIshouldbesetfree,and towhichImustswear,shouldbedrawnupbyhimself.Thesearticleswere broughtto me by Skyresh Bolgolam in person attended by two under-secretaries, andseveral persons ofdistinction.Aftertheywereread,I wasdemandedtosweartotheperformance ofthem;first in the manner ofmy own country,and afterwards in the methodprescribed by their laws; which was, to hold my right foot in my left hand, and to place themiddlefinger of my right hand on the crown ofmy head, and my thumb on thetip of myright ear.But becausethereadermay be curious tohave some idea ofthe style and mannerofexpression peculiarto that people, as well as toknow the articleupon whichIrecoveredmyliberty,I havemadea translation of thewholeinstrument, word for word,asnear asIwasable,whichIhereoffertothepublic."Golbasto Momarem Evlame Gurdilo Shefin Mully Ully Gue, most mighty Emperor of Lilliput,delightand terror of the universe, whose dominions extend five thousand blustrugs (abouttwelve miles in circumference) to the extremities oftheglobe; monarch of all monarchs,tallerthan the sonsofmen; whosefeet press downto the centre,andwhosehead strikesagainst the sun; at whose nod the princes of the earth shake their knees; pleasant as thespring, comfortable as the summer, fruitful as autumn, dreadful as winter: his most sublimemajesty proposes to theman-mountain, latelyarrived at our celestial dominions, thefollowingarticles,which,by a solemn oath, he shall be obliged to perform:"1st, The man-mountain shall not departfrom our dominions,without our license under ourgreat seal."2d, He shall not presume to come into our metropolis, without our express order; at whichtime,theinhabitants shall havetwohourswarningtokeepwithindoors."3d, The said man-mountain shall confine his walks to our principal high roads, and not offertowalk,orliedown,inameadoworfieldofcorn"4th,Ashewalks thesaid roads,heshall take the utmostcare notto trampleuponthebodiesofany ofour loving subjects, their horses,or carriages, nor take any of our subjects into his第21页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
none, except Skyresh Bolgolam, who was pleased, without any provocation, to be my mortal enemy. But it was carried against him by the whole board, and confirmed by the emperor. That minister was galbet, or admiral of the realm, very much in his master's confidence, and a person well versed in affairs, but of a morose and sour complexion. However, he was at length persuaded to comply; but prevailed that the articles and conditions upon which I should be set free, and to which I must swear, should be drawn up by himself. These articles were brought to me by Skyresh Bolgolam in person attended by two under-secretaries, and several persons of distinction. After they were read, I was demanded to swear to the performance of them; first in the manner of my own country, and afterwards 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 tip of my right ear. But because the reader may be curious to have some idea of the style and manner of expression peculiar to that people, as well as to know the article upon which I recovered my liberty, I have made a translation of the whole instrument, word for word, as near as I was able, which I here offer to the public. "Golbasto Momarem Evlame Gurdilo Shefin Mully Ully Gue, most mighty Emperor of Lilliput, delight and terror of the universe, whose dominions extend five thousand blustrugs (about twelve miles in circumference) to the extremities of the globe; monarch of all monarchs, taller than the sons of men; whose feet press down to the centre, and whose head strikes against the sun; at whose nod the princes of the earth shake their knees; pleasant as the spring, comfortable as the summer, fruitful as autumn, dreadful as winter: his most sublime majesty proposes to the man-mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following articles, which, by a solemn oath, he shall be obliged to perform:- "1st, The man-mountain shall not depart from our dominions, without our license under our great seal. "2d, 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. "3d, 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. "4th, 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 第 21 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
En848原版英语hands without their own consent."5th, Ifan expressrequires extraordinarydespatch,theman-mountainshall be obliged tocarry,in hispocket, themessenger and horse a sixdays journey,onceineverymoon,andreturnthesaidmessengerback(ifsoreguired)safetoourimperialpresence"6th,Heshall beour allyagainstour enemies in theisland of Blefuscu,and dohisutmosttodestroy their fleet, which is now preparing to invade us."7th, That the said man-mountain shall, at his times of leisure, be aiding and assisting to ourworkmen, in helping to raise certain great stones, towards covering the wall of the principalpark, and other our royal buildings."8th, That the said man-mountain shall, in two moons' time, deliver in an exact survey of thecircumferenceofourdominions,byacomputationofhisownpacesroundthecoast"Lastly,That,upon his solemn oath to observe all the abovearticles,the said man-mountainshall have a daily allowance of meatand drink sufficient for the support of1724 ofoursubjects, with free access to our royal person, and other marks of our favour. Given at ourpalace at Belfaborac, the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign."I swore and subscribed to these articles with great cheerfulness and content, although someofthemwerenotsohonourableasIcouldhavewished;whichproceededwhollyfromthemalice of Skyresh Bolgolam, the high-admiral: whereupon my chains were immediatelyunlocked,and I was atfull liberty.The emperor himself, in person,did me the honour to beby atthe wholeceremony.Imademyacknowledgementsbyprostratingmyselfat hismajesty's feet: but he commanded me to rise; and after many gracious expressions, which, toavoidthecensureofvanity,I shall notrepeat,headded,"that hehoped I shouldproveauseful servant,and well deserve all thefavourshehadalready conferredupon me, ormightdoforthefuture."Thereadermaypleaseto observe,that, in thelast articleoftherecoveryofmyliberty,theemperorstipulatestoallowmeaquantityofmeatanddrink sufficientforthesupportof1724 Lilliputians.Sometime after,asking afriend atcourt how theycametofixon that第22页共197页http://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
hands without their own consent. "5th, If an express requires extraordinary despatch, the man- mountain shall be obliged to carry, in his pocket, the messenger and horse a six days journey, once in every moon, and return the said messenger back (if so required) safe to our imperial presence. "6th, 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. "7th, That the said man-mountain shall, at his times of leisure, be aiding and assisting to our workmen, in helping to raise certain great stones, towards covering the wall of the principal park, and other our royal buildings. "8th, That the said man-mountain shall, in two moons' time, deliver in an exact survey of the circumference of our dominions, by a computation of his own paces round the coast. "Lastly, That, 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 1724 of our subjects, with free access to our royal person, and other marks of our favour. Given at our palace at Belfaborac, the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign." I swore and subscribed to these articles with great cheerfulness and content, although some of them were not so honourable as I could have wished; which proceeded wholly from the malice of Skyresh Bolgolam, the high-admiral: whereupon my chains were immediately unlocked, and I was at full liberty. The emperor himself, in person, did me the honour to be by at the whole ceremony. I made my acknowledgements by prostrating myself at his majesty's feet: but he commanded me to rise; and after many gracious expressions, which, to avoid the censure of vanity, I shall not repeat, he added, "that he hoped I should prove a useful servant, and well deserve all the favours he had already conferred upon me, or might do for the future." The reader may please to observe, that, in the last article of the recovery of my liberty, the emperor stipulates to allow me a quantity of meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 Lilliputians. Some time after, asking a friend at court how they came to fix on that 第 22 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
En48原版英语determinate number,hetold me that his majesty's mathematicians, having taken the heightof my body by the help of a quadrant, and finding it to exceed theirs in the proportion oftwelveto one, they concludedfromthesimilarityof theirbodies,thatminemust contain atleast1724oftheirs,and consequentlywould requireasmuchfood aswasnecessarytosupportthatnumberof Lilliputians.Bywhich the readermay conceivean idea oftheingenuityofthatpeople,aswell astheprudentand exacteconomyof sogreataprince.CHAPTERIV.[Mildendo, the metropolis of Lilliput, described, together with the emperor's palace. Aconversationbetweentheauthorand aprincipal secretary,concerningtheaffairs of thatempire.Theauthor'sofferstoservetheemperorinhiswars.]Thefirst requestImade, afterI had obtained my liberty,was,that I might havelicenseto seeMildendo, the metropolis; which the emperor easilygranted me, but with a special charge todono hurt either to the inhabitants or their houses.Thepeople had notice, by proclamation,ofmy design to visitthetown.Thewall which encompassed it is twofeet and a half high, andat least eleven inches broad, sothat a coach and horsesmay be driven very safely round it;and it is flanked with strong towers at ten feet distance. I stepped over the great westerngate, and passed very gently, and sidling, through the two principal streets, only in my shortwaistcoat,forfearofdamagingtheroofsand eavesofthehouseswiththeskirtsofmycoat.Iwalked with theutmost circumspection,to avoidtreading on any stragglers who mightremain in the streets,although the orderswere very strict, that all people should keep intheirhouses, at their own peril.The garret windows and tops of houseswere so crowdedwithspectators,that Ithought inall mytravelsIhad not seenamorepopulous place.Thecity is an exact square, each side of the wall being five hundred feet long. The two greatstreets, which run across and divide it intofour quarters, arefive feet wide.The lanes andalleys,whichIcouldnotenter,butonlyviewthemasI passed,arefromtwelvetoeighteeninches.Thetownis capableofholdingfivehundred thousand souls:thehouses arefromthree to five stories: the shops and markets well provided.The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city where the two great streets meet. It is第23页共197页htp://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
determinate number, he told me that his majesty's mathematicians, having taken the height of my body by the help of a quadrant, and finding it to exceed theirs in the proportion of twelve to one, they concluded from the similarity of their bodies, that mine must contain at least 1724 of theirs, and consequently would require as much food as was necessary to support that number of Lilliputians. By which the reader may conceive an idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as the prudent and exact economy of so great a prince. CHAPTER IV. [Mildendo, the metropolis of Lilliput, described, together with the emperor's palace. A conversation between the author and a principal secretary, concerning the affairs of that empire. The author's offers to serve the emperor in his wars.] The first request I made, after I had obtained my liberty, was, that I might have license to see Mildendo, the metropolis; which the emperor easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no hurt either to the inhabitants or their houses. The people had notice, by proclamation, of my design to visit the town. The wall which encompassed it is two feet and a half high, and at least eleven inches broad, so that a coach and horses may be driven very safely round it; and it is flanked with strong towers at ten feet distance. I stepped over the great western gate, and passed very gently, and sidling, through the two principal streets, only in my short waistcoat, for fear of damaging the roofs and eaves of the houses with the skirts of my coat. I walked with the utmost circumspection, to avoid treading on any stragglers who might remain in the streets, although the orders were very strict, that all people should keep in their houses, at their own peril. The garret windows and tops of houses were so crowded with spectators, that I thought in all my travels I had not seen a more populous place. The city is an exact square, each side of the wall being five hundred feet long. The two great streets, which run across and divide it into four quarters, are five feet wide. The lanes and alleys, which I could not enter, but only view them as I passed, are from twelve to eighteen inches. The town is capable of holding five hundred thousand souls: the houses are from three to five stories: the shops and markets well provided. The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city where the two great streets meet. It is 第 23 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
8848.comEn原版英语enclosed by a wall of two feet high, and twenty feet distance from the buildings. I had hismajesty's permission to step over this wall; and, the space being so wide between that andthe palace, I could easily view it on every side.The outward court is a square offorty feet,and includestwo other courts:in the inmostaretheroyal apartments,which I was verydesirous to see,butfound itextremely difficult; forthegreatgates, from one square intoanother,were buteighteen inches high,and seven incheswide.Now the buildings oftheouter court were atleastfivefeet high, and it was impossibleforme to stride over themwithoutinfinitedamagetothepile,thoughthewalls werestronglybuilt of hewn stone,andfour inches thick.At the same time the emperor had a great desire that I should see themagnificence of his palace;but thisI was not able to dotill three daysafter,which I spent incuttingdown with myknife some ofthe largest trees in the royal park, about a hundredyards distant from the city. Of these trees I made two stools, each about three feet high, andstrong enough to bear my weight. The people having received notice a second time, I wentagain through the city to the palace with my two stools in my hands. When I came to the sideof the outer court,Istood upon onestool,and took the other in myhand;thisI lifted overtheroof,andgently setit down on the spacebetweenthefirstand second court, which was eightfeet wide.I then stept over the building very convenientlyfrom one stool tothe other,anddrew up the first after me with a hooked stick. By this contrivance I got into the inmostcourt; and, lying down upon my side,Iapplied my face to the windows ofthe middle stories,which were left open on purpose, and discovered the most splendid apartments that can beimagined. There I saw the empress and the young princes, in their several lodgings, withtheir chiefattendants about them.Herimperial majestywaspleased tosmileverygraciouslyupon me,andgaveme out of thewindowher hand tokiss.ButI shall not anticipate the reader with further descriptions of this kind, because I reservethem for a greater work, which is now almost ready for the press; containing a generaldescription of this empire,from itsfirsterection,through along series of princes; withaparticular account of their wars and politics, laws, learning, and religion; their plants andanimals; their peculiar manners and customs, with other matters very curious and useful;my chief design at present being only to relate such events and transactions as happened tothepublic orto myselfduringa residenceof about ninemonths in that empire.One morning, about a fortnight afterIhad obtained my liberty, Reldresal, principal secretary(astheystvlehim)forprivateaffairs.cametomyhouseattendedonlybyoneservantHeordered his coach to wait at a distance,and desired I would give him an hours audience;which I readily consented to, on account of his quality and personal merits, as well as of themanygood officeshehad done meduringmysolicitations at court.I offered toliedownthathemightthemoreconvenientlyreachmyear, buthechoserathertoletmeholdhim inmyhand duringour conversation.Hebeganwithcomplimentsonmyliberty;said"hemightpretend to some merit in it;"but, however, added, "that ifit had not been for the present第24页共197页htp://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
enclosed by a wall of two feet high, and twenty feet distance from the buildings. I had his majesty's permission to step over this wall; and, the space being so wide between that and the palace, I could easily view it on every side. The outward court is a square of forty feet, and includes two other courts: in the inmost are the royal apartments, which I was very desirous to see, but found it extremely difficult; for the great gates, from one square into another, were but eighteen inches high, and seven inches wide. Now the buildings of the outer court were at least five feet high, and it was impossible for me to stride over them without infinite damage to the pile, though the walls were strongly built of hewn stone, and four inches thick. At the same time the emperor had a great desire that I should see the magnificence of his palace; but this I was not able to do till three days after, which I spent in cutting down with my knife some of the largest trees in the royal park, about a hundred yards distant from the city. Of these trees I made two stools, each about three feet high, and strong enough to bear my weight. The people having received notice a second time, I went again through the city to the palace with my two stools in my hands. When I came to the side of the outer court, I stood upon one stool, and took the other in my hand; this I lifted over the roof, and gently set it down on the space between the first and second court, which was eight feet wide. I then stept over the building very conveniently from one stool to the other, and drew up the first after me with a hooked stick. By this contrivance I got into the inmost court; and, lying down upon my side, I applied my face to the windows of the middle stories, which were left open on purpose, and discovered the most splendid apartments that can be imagined. There I saw the empress and the young princes, in their several lodgings, with their chief attendants about them. Her imperial majesty was pleased to smile very graciously upon me, and gave me out of the window her hand to kiss. But I shall not anticipate the reader with further descriptions of this kind, because I reserve them for a greater work, which is now almost ready for the press; containing a general description of this empire, from its first erection, through along series of princes; with a particular account of their wars and politics, laws, learning, and religion; their plants and animals; their peculiar manners and customs, with other matters very curious and useful; my chief design at present being only to relate such events and transactions as happened to the public or to myself during a residence of about nine months in that empire. One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, Reldresal, principal secretary (as they style him) for private affairs, came to my house attended only by one servant. He ordered his coach to wait at a distance, and desired I would give him an hours audience; which I readily consented to, on account of his quality and personal merits, as well as of the many good offices he had done me during my solicitations at court. 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; said "he might pretend to some merit in it;" but, however, added, "that if it had not been for the present 第 24 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
8848.comEn原版英语situation of things at court, perhaps I might not have obtained it so soon. For, said he,"asflourishing a condition as we may appear to be in to foreigners, welabour under two mightyevils:a violentfaction athome,and thedangerofan invasion,by a mostpotentenemy,fromabroad.Astothefirst,you areto understand, that for about seventymoonspast therehavebeentwostrugglingpartiesinthisempire,underthenamesofTramecksanandSlamecksanfromthe highand lowheels of theirshoes,bywhichtheydistinguish themselves.Itisalleged, indeed,that the high heels are most agreeable to our ancient constitution; but,howeverthisbe,his majestyhasdeterminedtomake useonly of lowheels intheadministration of the government, and all offices in the gift of the crown,as you cannot butobserve; and particularlythat his majesty's imperial heels arelower atleast by a drurr thanany of his court (drurr is a measure about the fourteenth part of an inch).The animositiesbetween these two parties run so high, that they will neither eat, nor drink, nor talk witheachother.WecomputetheTramecksan.orhighheels.toexceedusinnumber:butthepower is wholly on our side.We apprehend his imperial highness, the heir to the crown, tohavesometendencytowards thehigh heels;at leastwecanplainlydiscoverthatoneofhisheels is higher than the other, which gives him a hobble in his gait. Now,in the midst of theseintestinedisquiets, we arethreatened withan invasionfromthe island of Blefuscu, which isthe other great empire ofthe universe,almost as large and powerful as this of hismajesty.For as to what we haveheard you affirm, that there are other kingdoms and states in theworld inhabited byhuman creatures aslargeas yourself, our philosophers are in muchdoubt, and would rather conjecture that you droppedfrom themoon, or oneofthe stars;becauseit is certain,thata hundred mortals of your bulk would in a shorttimedestroyallthefruitsandcattleofhismajesty'sdominions:besides,ourhistoriesofsixthousandmoonsmakenomentionofanyotherregionsthanthetwogreatempiresofLilliputandBlefuscuWhich two mighty powers have, as I was going to tell you, been engaged in a most obstinatewar for six-and-thirty moons past. It began upon the following occasion. It is allowed on allhands, that the primitive way of breaking eggs, before we eat them, was upon the larger end;but his present majesty's grandfather, while he was a boy, going to eat an egg, and breakingit according to the ancient practice, happened to cut one of his fingers. Whereupon theemperorhisfatherpublishedan edict,commandingall hissubjects,upongreatpenalties,tobreak the smaller end of their eggs. The people so highly resented this law, that our historiestell us, therehavebeen six rebellions raised on that account; wherein one emperor lost hislife,andanotherhis crown.Thesecivil commotionswereconstantlyfomentedbythemonarchs of Blefuscu;and when they were quelled, the exilesalways fled for refugeto thatempire.It is computed that eleven thousand persons haveat several times suffered death,rather than submit tobreaktheir eggs atthe smaller end.Manyhundred largevolumes havebeen published upon this controversy: but the books of the Big-endians have been longforbidden, and the whole party rendered incapable by law of holding employments. Duringthe courseofthesetroubles,theemperors of Blefuscadidfrequentlyexpostulatebytheirambassadors,accusingusofmakingaschisminreligion,byoffendingagainstafundamentaldoctrine of ourgreat prophet Lustrog,in thefifty-fourth chapteroftheBlundecral (which istheirAlcoran).This,however,isthoughttobeamerestrainuponthetext;forthewordsarethese:'that all true believers break their eggs at the convenient end'And which is the第25页共197页htp://www.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
situation of things at court, perhaps I might not have obtained it so soon. For," said he, "as flourishing a condition as we may appear to be in to foreigners, we labour under two mighty evils: a violent faction at home, and the danger of an invasion, by a most potent enemy, from abroad. As to the first, you are to understand, that for about seventy moons past there have been two struggling parties in this empire, under the names of Tramecksan and Slamecksan, from the high and low heels of their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves. It is alleged, indeed, that the high heels are most agreeable to our ancient constitution; but, however this be, his majesty has determined to make use only of low heels in the administration of the government, and all offices in the gift of the crown, as you cannot but observe; and particularly that his majesty's imperial heels are lower at least by a drurr than any of his court (drurr is a measure about the fourteenth part of an inch). The animosities between these two parties run so high, that they will neither eat, nor drink, nor talk with each other. We compute the Tramecksan, or high heels, to exceed us in number; but the power is wholly on our side. We apprehend his imperial highness, the heir to the crown, to have some tendency towards the high heels; at least we can plainly discover that one of his heels is higher than the other, which gives him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst of these intestine disquiets, we are threatened with an invasion from the island of Blefuscu, which is the other great empire of the universe, almost as large and powerful as this of his majesty. For as to what we have heard you affirm, that there are other kingdoms and states in the world inhabited by human creatures as large as yourself, our philosophers are in much doubt, and would rather conjecture that you dropped from the moon, or one of the stars; because it is certain, that a hundred mortals of your bulk would in a short time destroy all the fruits and cattle of his majesty's dominions: besides, our histories of six thousand moons make no mention of any other regions than the two great empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu. Which two mighty powers have, as I was going to tell you, been engaged in a most obstinate war for six-and-thirty moons past. It began upon the following occasion. It is allowed on all hands, that the primitive way of breaking eggs, before we eat them, 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 published an edict, commanding all his subjects, upon great penalties, to break the smaller end of their eggs. The people so highly resented this law, that our histories tell us, there have been six rebellions raised on that account; wherein one emperor lost his life, and another his crown. These civil commotions were constantly fomented by the monarchs of Blefuscu; and when they were quelled, the exiles always fled for refuge to that empire. It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many hundred large volumes have been published upon this controversy: but the books of the Big- endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party rendered incapable by law of holding employments. During the course of these troubles, the emperors of Blefusca did frequently expostulate by their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion, by offending against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet Lustrog, in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is their Alcoran). This, however, is thought to be a mere strain upon the text; for the words are these: 'that all true believers break their eggs at the convenient end.' And which is the 第 25 页 共 197 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网