Gulliver's Travels (Swift)/Part 3/Chapter 9
from the Collection âGulliver's Travels. Part 3â
The division of this summary into sections is editorial.
After leaving the governor of Glubbdubdrib, Gulliver returned with two companions to the port of Maldonada. He hoped to reach Japan and eventually find a way home.
A guarded arrival in Luggnagg
After a fortnight in Maldonada, Gulliver boarded a ship for Luggnagg, supplied by his companions and other well-wishers. A storm forced the ship westward during the month-long voyage. On 21 April 1708, pilots guided it safely through rocks and shoals to the port of Clumegnig.
Sailors had told the pilots that Gulliver was a stranger and an experienced traveller. A customs officer therefore questioned him in the language of Balnibarbi. Knowing that the Dutch were the only Europeans allowed into Japan, Gulliver claimed to be Dutch. He described his shipwreck near Balnibarbi and his rescue by the flying island of Laputa.
The officer confined him while awaiting instructions from court. Gulliver had comfortable lodgings, access to a garden and food at the kingâs expense, though a sentry guarded the door. Curious local people visited him, asking questions about the distant countries he had seen.
To speak with his visitors, Gulliver hired a young Luggnaggian who had travelled on the same ship and knew both the local language and that of Balnibarbi.
A dangerous approach to the throne
About a fortnight later, an order arrived to take Gulliver and his interpreter to the capital under an escort of ten horsemen. A messenger rode ahead to request an audience in the courtâs customary terms: permission for Gulliver to lick the dust before the kingâs footstool.
Two days after reaching the capital, Gulliver discovered that the expression was literal. He was required to crawl on his belly and lick the floor towards the king.
As a special favour to a foreigner, the floor had been cleaned for Gulliver. Others were less fortunate: enemies sometimes had dust spread in their path, and a visitor could be put to death for spitting or wiping it away in the kingâs presence.
The king could also order a deadly brown powder spread on the floor to execute a nobleman. Afterwards the floor was supposed to be washed. Gulliver had heard the king order a page whipped for failing to arrange the washing, an omission that had accidentally poisoned a promising young lord. Gulliver described the kingâs response with pointed praise:
But this good prince was so gracious, as to forgive the poor page his whipping, upon promise that he would do so no more, without special orders.
Royal favour and the wish to return home
Within four yards of the throne, Gulliver knelt, struck his forehead seven times on the ground and recited the required greeting, which wished the king a life longer than the sunâs. When the king answered, Gulliver used another prepared phrase to request his interpreter.
With the young man translating, Gulliver answered the kingâs questions for over an hour. Pleased with his company, the king ordered court lodgings and an allowance for both men, as well as a purse of gold for Gulliverâs expenses.
Gulliver remained in Luggnagg for three months in obedience to the king, who showed him favour and made him honourable offers. Nevertheless, Gulliver thought it wiser and more just to spend the rest of his life with his wife and family.