The Emperor is taller, by almost the breadth of my nail, than any of his court, his features strong and masculine, and his deportment majestic.  He had reigned for seven years in great felicity, and generally victorious.  I lay on my side, for the better convenience of beholding him, but I have had him many times since in my hand, and therefore cannot be deceived in this description.  He held his sword drawn in his hand to defend himself, if I should happen to break loose, and spoke to me many times, and I answered, but neither of us could understand a syllable.

The Emperor had frequent councils to debate what course should be taken with me; they apprehended I might break loose; or might cause a famine; but my behaviour had made a favourable impression, and his Majesty made provision for me out of his own Treasury, and coming frequently to see me, I soon learnt to express my desire for liberty, which was after a time granted on certain conditions.

I soon learnt, in spite of its flourishing appearance, this country laboured under two evils; a violent faction at home, and the danger of invasion, by a most potent enemy, from abroad.  The two parties in the kingdom were distinguished by the high or low heels of their shoes.  The high heels were most agreeable to their ancient constitution, but the present Emperor was determined only to make use of low heels in the administration of the government—­but the heir apparent seemed to have some tendency to high heels.

They were threatened with an invasion from the Island of Blefusco, which had been engaged in an obstinate war with Lilliput for a long time, on a question of a schism in religion.  They had now prepared a numerous fleet, and were about to descend upon us, and his Majesty, in his confidence in my strength and valour, laid this account of his affairs before me.

II.  I Depart from Blefusco

Having ascertained the depth of the channel between the two countries, and viewed the enemy’s fleet through my perspective glass, I obtained a great quantity of cable and bars of iron.  I twisted the bars into hooks which I fixed to fifty cables, and walked into the sea, wading with what haste I could, swam about thirty yards in the middle, and arrived at the fleet in about half an hour.

The enemy were so frightened when they saw me that they fled, and swam to shore.  I then took my tackling, fixed a hook to each vessel, and tied all my cords together at the end; but not a ship would stir, they were held too fast by their anchors.  The enemy’s arrows disturbed me much, but I resolutely cut all the cables, and with the greatest ease drew fifty of the largest men of war with me.  The tide had now fallen, and I waded safe to the royal port of Lilliput, where the Emperor received me with the highest honour.  So immeasurable is the ambition of princes, that he thought now of nothing less than the complete submission of Blefusco; but I plainly protested “that I would never be an instrument of bringing a free and brave people into slavery”; and the wisest part of the Council were of my opinion.