The author, being informed of a design to accuse him of high-treason, makes his escape to Blefuscu. His reception there.
Before I explain the circumstances of my departure from Lilliput, I must inform the reader of a private intrigue that had been developing against me for two months. Until my arrival in this kingdom, I had been a stranger to the inner workings of royal courts. Due to my humble background, I was ill-equipped for such a life. Although I had read about the unpredictable nature of great princes and their ministers, I never expected to experience such terrible treatment in a country that I had initially believed to be governed by more reasonable principles than those in Europe.
While I was preparing for a formal visit to the Emperor of Blefuscu, an influential person at court came to my house privately one night. This was a man to whom I had once done a great service during a time when he had fallen out of favor with the Emperor. He arrived in a sedan chair, which I carefully placed in my coat pocket to bring him inside. After I had dismissed the servants and locked the door, I placed the chair on my table so we could speak. Observing his worried expression, I asked what was wrong. He replied that he had come to discuss a matter that concerned both my honor and my life.
"You must know," he whispered, "that several secret committees have recently met to discuss your conduct. It was only two days ago that the Emperor reached a final decision."
He explained that Skyresh Bolgolam, the High Admiral, had been my mortal enemy since I arrived. His hatred had only intensified after my success against the fleet of Blefuscu, as my victory had overshadowed his own glory. Bolgolam, in league with Flimnap the High Treasurer and other powerful lords, had prepared articles of impeachment against me for treason and other capital crimes.
I was so shocked by this news, knowing my own innocence, that I almost interrupted him. However, he urged me to remain silent and proceeded to list the charges.
The first article accused me of treason for extinguishing the fire in the Empress's apartments in an "indecent" manner, despite the fact that I had done so to save the palace. The second article claimed I was a traitor because I had refused the Emperor's command to seize the remaining ships of Blefuscu and reduce that empire to a mere province. I had refused to destroy the liberties of an innocent people, which the court viewed as an act of rebellion. The third article accused me of being too friendly with the ambassadors from Blefuscu, and the fourth charged me with preparing an unauthorized trip to that rival empire.
"There were many debates regarding these charges," my friend continued. "The Emperor frequently reminded the council of your services, attempting to lessen the severity of your 'crimes.' Nevertheless, the Treasurer and the Admiral insisted that you be put to a painful and shameful death. They suggested setting fire to your house at night or shooting you in the face with poisoned arrows. However, the Emperor was determined to spare your life and eventually convinced the council to consider a more 'merciful' alternative."
This "mercy," I learned, was proposed by Reldresal, the Secretary for Private Affairs, who had always seemed to be my friend. He suggested that, in consideration of my services, the Emperor should merely order that both my eyes be put out. He argued that justice would be satisfied, and the world would applaud the Emperor’s leniency. Furthermore, he claimed that blindness would not decrease my physical strength, and I could still be useful to the state.
The Admiral was furious at this suggestion, arguing that a traitor like me should be executed immediately. He warned that if I could extinguish a fire with my urine, I could just as easily cause a flood to drown the palace. The Treasurer added that the cost of feeding me was becoming a burden on the national budget. Consequently, a new plan was devised: they would blind me first, and then slowly reduce my food portions until I grew weak and eventually died of starvation. This way, my body would be smaller and easier to dispose of after my death.
My friend concluded by warning me that the Secretary would arrive in three days to read these articles of impeachment to me. He would present the sentence of blinding as a great favor from a merciful Emperor. "I leave it to your own judgment to decide what to do," he said, before departing as secretly as he had arrived.
Once alone, I was filled with doubt and anxiety. I had noticed a peculiar custom in this court: whenever the Emperor decreed a particularly cruel execution, he would first make a public speech praising his own "extraordinary lenity and mercy." Nothing terrified the people more than these speeches, for they had learned that the more the Emperor praised his own kindness, the more inhuman the punishment would be.
I briefly considered staying to face a trial. However, I knew from history that state trials usually ended exactly how the judges wanted them to. I also considered resisting; with my great strength, I could have easily destroyed the capital city with stones. Yet, I rejected this idea with horror. I remembered the oath of loyalty I had taken and the high title of Nardac the Emperor had given me. I had not yet learned the "gratitude" of courtiers, which would have allowed me to forget my past obligations in the face of such cruelty.
Finally, I made a decision. Taking advantage of the permission I had previously received to visit Blefuscu, I sent a letter to the Secretary stating that I was leaving that morning. Without waiting for a reply, I went to the side of the island where the fleet lay. I seized a large man-of-war, tied a cable to it, and after stripping off my clothes and placing them in the vessel, I waded and swam across the channel to Blefuscu.
Upon my arrival at the royal port, the people guided me to the capital. I sent word to the palace, and soon the Emperor, the royal family, and the great officers of the court came out to receive me. I lay on the ground to kiss the hands of the Emperor and Empress, telling them I had come to pay my respects according to my promise. I did not mention my disgrace, for I had no official notice of it yet and preferred to act as if I were entirely ignorant of the plot against me.
The reception I received was incredibly generous, though I faced some difficulty finding a place to sleep. Being far too large for any house, I was forced to lie on the ground, wrapped only in my short coat and the coverlet I had brought with me. Nevertheless, I was relieved to be out of the immediate reach of my enemies.