Gulliver's Travels (Swift)/Part 1/Chapter 2
from the Collection âGulliver's Travels. Part 1â
The divisions in this summary are editorial.
Chained beside a building in Lilliput, Gulliver looked over a landscape of tiny fields and trees. After nearly two days without relief, he used the building as a privy; afterwards, he went outdoors, and two servants cleared the waste away.
The Emperor visits his prisoner
The Emperor rode towards Gulliver, but his horse reared at the sight of the enormous prisoner. Once safely dismounted, he inspected Gulliver from beyond the reach of the chain and had food and drink brought within his grasp.
Gulliver lay on his side to see the Emperor, who wore a jewelled golden helmet and carried a drawn sword. The Empress and other members of the court came near, but neither the Emperor nor his attendants could understand Gulliver, despite his attempts to speak several European languages.
After the court left, a crowd gathered, and one arrow nearly struck Gulliverâs eye. The guardâs colonel handed six ringleaders over to him for punishment. Gulliver pretended he would eat one of them, frightening the soldiers when he drew his penknife. Instead, he cut the manâs bonds and freed all six. The witnesses reported his mercy favourably at court.
The court decides to feed Gulliver
Gulliver slept on the stone floor for about a fortnight while a bed was made from 600 Lilliputian beds. Meanwhile, so many visitors came to see him that work in the villages was neglected. The Emperor ordered those who had seen him home and required a court licence for another visit.
The Emperorâs council feared both that Gulliver might escape and that feeding him might cause famine. Its members considered starving or poisoning him, but feared that his huge corpse could spread disease. When officers reported his treatment of the six attackers, the council resolved to provide for him instead.
Nearby villages were ordered to supply daily provisions at the treasuryâs expense. Six hundred servants were appointed, 300 tailors were set to making clothes, and six scholars began teaching Gulliver the language. Horses were regularly brought near him so they would grow accustomed to his presence.
Gulliver asks for freedom and agrees to a search
After about three weeks, Gulliver knew enough of the language to ask the Emperor daily, on his knees, for his liberty. The Emperor replied that the council must first be consulted and that Gulliver must swear to keep peace with the kingdom. For now, patience and good conduct would help him win their trust.
Worried that Gulliver might carry dangerous weapons, the Emperor asked to have him searched. Gulliver agreed and helped two officers into his pockets. They recorded what they found; he kept one secret pocket from them, although he later showed them the contents of two small pockets they could not enter.
The officersâ inventory described familiar objects as immense curiosities, including a handkerchief, a snuffbox, papers, a comb, coins, blades and pistols. They were especially puzzled by Gulliverâs watch, which he had told them he consulted before acting. They reported their guess to the Emperor:
And we conjecture it is either some unknown animal, or the god that he worships;
The officers also found his sword and a pouch containing bullets and gunpowder. Their report noted that the Man-Mountain, as they called Gulliver, had treated them courteously.
Gulliver surrenders his weapons
After hearing the inventory, the Emperor asked Gulliver to hand over the listed objects. Three thousand soldiers surrounded him with bows ready. Gulliver drew his sword as requested; sunlight flashed from its blade, and the troops shouted in alarm. He then laid it down.
To show how a pistol worked, Gulliver warned the Emperor and fired a powder charge into the air. Hundreds of soldiers fell in fright. He surrendered both pistols and the powder and bullets, warning that a spark could make the powder destroy the palace.
The Emperor examined the watch with curiosity. Gulliver also handed over his money and other belongings, but everything except the weapons and ammunition was returned. In his unsearched pocket he kept spectacles, a small telescope and other useful articles, fearing they might otherwise be lost or damaged.