The emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the nobility, comes to see the author in his confinement. The emperor’s
person and habit described. Learned men appointed to teach the author their language. He gains favour by his mild
disposition. His pockets are searched, and his and pistols taken from him. When I found myself on my feet, I
looked about me, and must confess I never beheld a more entertaining prospect. The country around appeared like a
continued garden, and the enclosed fields, which were generally forty feet square, resembled so many beds of flowers.
These fields were intermingled with woods of half a stang, and the tallest trees, as I could judge, appeared to be
seven feet high. I viewed the town on my left hand, which looked like the painted scene of a city in a theatre. I had
been for some hours extremely pressed by the necessities of nature; which was no wonder, it being almost two days since
I had last disburdened myself. I was under great difficulties between urgency and shame. The best expedient I could
think of, was to creep into my house, which I accordingly did; and shutting the gate after me, I went as far as the
length of my chain would suffer, and discharged my body of that uneasy load. But this was the only time I was ever
guilty of so uncleanly an action; for which I cannot but hope the candid reader will give some allowance, after he has
maturely and impartially considered my case, and the distress I was in. From this time my constant practice was, as
soon as I rose, to perform that business in open air, at the full extent of my chain; and due care was taken every
morning before company came, that the offensive matter should be carried off in wheel-barrows, by two servants appointed
for that purpose. I would not have dwelt so long upon a circumstance that, perhaps, at first , may appear not very
momentous, if I had not thought it necessary to justify my character, in point of cleanliness, to the world; which, I am
told, some of my maligners have been pleased, upon this and other occasions, to call in question. When this adventure
was at an end, I came back out of my house, having occasion for fresh air. The emperor was already descended from the
tower, and advancing on horseback towards me, which had like to have cost him dear; for the beast, though very well
trained, yet wholly unused to such a , which appeared as if a ain moved before him, reared up on its hinder
feet: but that prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his seat, till his attendants ran in, and held the bridle,
while his majesty had time to dis. When he alighted, he surveyed me round with great admiration; but kept beyond
the length of my chain. He ordered his cooks and butlers, who were already prepared, to give me victuals and drink,
which they pushed forward in a sort of vehicles upon wheels, till I could reach them. I took these vehicles and soon
emptied them all; twenty of them were filled with meat, and ten with liquor; each of the former afforded me two or three
good mouthfuls; and I emptied the liquor of ten vessels, which was contained in earthen vials, into one vehicle,
drinking it off at a draught; and so I did with the rest. The empress, and young princes of the blood of both sexes,
attended by many ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs; but upon the accident that happened to the emperor’s
horse, they alighted, and came near his person, which I am now going to describe. He is taller by almost the breadth of
my nail, than any of his court; which alone is enough to strike an awe into the beholders. His features are strong and
masculine, with an Austrian lip and arched nose, his complexion olive, his countenance erect, his body and limbs well
proportioned, all his motions graceful, and his deportment majestic.