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32-a voyage to lilliput-第4部分
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hatred is increased since your great success against
Blefuscu; by which his glory as admiral is obscured。 This
lord and others have accused you of treason; and several
councils have been called in the most private manner on
your account。 Out of gratitude for your favors I procured
information of the whole proceedings; venturing my
head for your service; and this was the charge against
you:
〃First; that you; having brought the imperial fleet of
Blefuscu into the royal port; were commanded by his
Majesty to seize all the other ships; and put to death all
the Bigendian exiles; and also all the people of the empire
who would not immediately consent to break their eggs
at the smaller end。 And that; like a false traitor to his
Most Serene Majesty; you excused yourself from the service
on pretence of unwillingness to force the consciences
and destroy the liberties and lives of an innocent people。
〃Again; when ambassadors arrived from the Court of
Blefuscu; like a false traitor; you aided and entertained
them; though you knew them to be servants of a prince
lately in open war against his Imperial Majesty。
〃Moreover; you are now preparing; contrary to the
duty of a faithful subject; to voyage to the Court of
Blefuscu。
〃In the debate on this charge;〃 my friend continued;
〃his Majesty often urged the services you had done him;
while the admiral and treasurer insisted that you should
be put to a shameful death。 But Reldresal; secretary for
private affairs; who has always proved himself your friend
suggested that if his Majesty would please to spare your
life and only give orders to put out both your eyes; justice
might in some measure be satisfied。 At this Bolgolam
rose up in fury; wondering how the secretary dared desire
to preserve the life of a traitor; and the treasurer; pointing
out the expense of keeping you; also urged your death。
But his Majesty was graciously pleased to say that since
the council thought the loss of your eyes too easy a
punishment; some other might afterward be inflicted。 And
the secretary; humbly desiring to be heard again; said
that as to expense your allowance might be gradually
lessened; so that; for want of sufficient food you should
grow weak and faint; and die in a few months; when his
Majesty's subjects might cut your flesh from your bones
and bury it; leaving the skeleton for the admiration of
posterity。
〃Thus; through the great friendship of the secretary
the affair was arranged。 It was commanded that the plan
of starving you by degrees should be kept a secret; but
the sentence of putting out your eyes was entered on the
books。 In three days your friend the secretary will come
to your house and read the accusation before you; and
point out the great mercy of his Majesty; that only condemns
you to the loss of your eyeswhich; he does not
doubt; you will submit to humbly and gratefully。 Twenty
of his Majesty's surgeons will attend; to see the operation
well performed; by discharging very sharp…pointed arrows
into the balls of your eyes as you lie on the ground。
〃I leave you;〃 said my friend; 〃to consider what
measures you will take; and; to escape suspicion; I must
immediately return; as secretly as I came。〃
His lordship did so; and I remained alone; in great
perplexity。 At first I was bent on resistance; for while I
had liberty I could easily with stones pelt the metropolis
to pieces; but I soon rejected that idea with horror;
remembering the oath I had made to the Emperor; and the
favors I had received from him。 At last; having his
Majesty's leave to pay my respects to the Emperor of Ble…
fuscu; I resolved to take this opportunity。 Before the
three days had passed I wrote a letter to my friend the
secretary telling him of my resolution; and; without
waiting for an answer; went to the coast; and entering the
channel; between wading and swimming reached the port
of Blefuscu; where the people; who had long expected me;
led me to the capital。
His Majesty; with the royal family and great officers of
the Court; came out to receive me; and they entertained
me in a manner suited to the generosity of so great a
prince。 I did not; however; mention my disgrace with the
Emperor of Lilliput; since I did not suppose that prince
would disclose the secret while I was out of his power。
But in this; it soon appeared; I was deceived。
CHAPTER V
Three days after my arrival; walking out of curiosity
to the northeast coast of the island; I observed at some
distance in the sea something that looked like a boat
overturned。 I pulled off my shoes and stockings; and
wading two or three hundred yards; I plainly saw it to be
a real boat; which I supposed might by some tempest
have been driven from a ship。 I returned immediately to
the city for help; and after a huge amount of labor I
managed to get my boat to the royal port of Blefuscu;
where a great crowd of people appeared; full of wonder at
sight of so prodigious a vessel。 I told the Emperor that
my good fortune had thrown this boat in my way to
carry me to some place whence I might return to my
native country; and begged his orders for materials to fit
it up; and leave to departwhich; after many kindly
speeches; he was pleased to grant。
Meanwhile the Emperor of Lilliput; uneasy at my long
absence (but never imagining that I had the least notice
of his designs); sent a person of rank to inform the
Emperor of Blefuscu of my disgrace; this messenger had
orders to represent the great mercy of his master; who was
content to punish me with the loss of my eyes; and who
expected that his brother of Blefuscu would have me sent
back to Lilliput; bound hand and foot; to be punished as
a traitor。 The Emperor of Blefuscu answered with many
civil excuses。 He said that as for sending me bound; his
brother knew it was impossible。 Moreover; though I had
taken away his fleet he was grateful to me for many good
offices I had done him in making the peace。 But that both
their Majesties would soon be made easy; for I had found
a prodigious vessel on the shore; able to carry me on the
sea; which he had given orders to fit up; and he hoped in
a few weeks both empires would be free from me。
With this answer the messenger returned to Lilliput;
and I (though the monarch of Blefuscu secretly offered
me his gracious protection if I would continue in his
service) hastened my departure; resolving never more to put
confidence in princes。
In about a month I was ready to take leave。 The
Emperor of Blefuscu; with the Empress and the royal family;
came out of the palace; and I lay down on my face to kiss
their hands; which they graciously gave me。 His Majesty
presented me with fifty purses of sprugs (their greatest
gold coin) and his picture at full length; which I put
immediately into one of my gloves; to keep it from being
hurt。 Many other ceremonies took place at my departure。
I stored the boat with meat and drink; and took six
cows and two bulls alive; with as many ewes and rams;
intending to carry them into my own country; and to feed
them on board; I had a good bundle of hay and a bag of
corn。 I would gladly have taken a dozen of the natives;
but this was a thing the Emperor would by no means permit;
and besides a diligent search into my pockets; his
Majesty pledged my honor not to carry away any of his
subjects; though with their own consent and desire。
Having thus prepared all things as well as I was able;
I set sail。 When I had made twenty…four leagues; by my
reckoning; from the island of Blefuscu; I saw a sail steering
to the northeast。 I hailed her; but could get no
answer; yet I found I gained upon her; for the wind
slackened; and in half an hour she spied me; and
discharged a gun。 I came up with her between five and six
in the evening; Sept。 26; 1701; but my heart leaped within
me to see her English colors。 I put my cows and sheep
into my coat pockets; and got on board with all my little
cargo。 The captain received me with kindness; and asked
me to tell him what place I came from last; but at my
answer he thought I was raving。 However; I took my black
cattle and sheep out of my pocket; which; after great
astonishment; clearly convinced him。
We arrived in England on the 13th of April; 1702。 I
stayed two months with my wife and family; but my
eager desire to see foreign countries would suffer me to
remain no longer。 However; while in England I made
great profit by showing my cattle to persons of quality
and others; and before I began my second voyage I sold
them for 600l。 I left 1500l。 with my wife; and fixed her in
a good house; then taking leave of her and my boy and
girl; with tears on both sides; I sailed on board the
〃Adventure。〃'1'
'1' Swift。
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