The author’s economy, and happy life among the Houyhnhnms. His great improvement in virtue by conversing with them. Their conversations. The author has notice given him by his master, that he must depart from the country. He falls into a swoon for grief; but submits. He contrives and finishes a canoe by the help of a fellow-servant, and puts to sea at a venture.
I had established my domestic life to my complete satisfaction. My master had provided me with a room close to the main house, which I had meticulously plastered with clay and covered with mats I wove myself. I became remarkably resourceful; I crafted chairs using my knife and fashioned clothing from the skins of small animals. When my shoes wore out, I even used the dried skins of Yahoos to create durable soles. I lived by two maxims: that nature is easily satisfied, and that necessity is the mother of invention. My health was perfect, and my mind was entirely at peace. I was far removed from the treachery of false friends and the injuries of secret enemies. In this land, there were no physicians to destroy my body, no lawyers to ruin my fortune, and no corrupt politicians to watch my every word. I was free from the vanity, pride, and affectation that plague human society.
I was frequently granted the honor of attending my master during his visits or when he hosted guests. I acted as a silent observer, listening with profound interest to conversations that were always useful and expressed with great clarity. The Houyhnhnms believe that short silences improve the flow of ideas, and I found this to be true; these pauses allowed for deeper contemplation. They spoke of friendship, benevolence, and the unerring rules of reason. I must confess that any valuable knowledge I now possess was acquired during these lectures. I developed such a deep veneration for their virtues that I began to view my own species with horror. When I saw my reflection in a lake, I turned away in detestation. I even began to imitate their gait and manner of speaking, a habit that eventually led my friends in England to remark, quite bluntly, that I trotted and spoke like a horse.
However, in the midst of this absolute happiness, my security was suddenly shattered. One morning, my master sent for me earlier than usual. I could see by his expression that he was deeply troubled. After a long silence, he informed me that the General Assembly had taken offense at his keeping a Yahoo in his family as if it were a rational creature. They argued that such a practice was inconsistent with reason and nature. The representatives had "exhorted" him—a term they use because a rational being cannot be forced, only advised by reason—to either treat me as a common servant or command me to swim back to wherever I had come from. They feared that, possessing a small amount of reason, I might eventually lead the local Yahoos into the mountains to rebel and destroy the Houyhnhnms' cattle.
My master admitted that he would have been content to keep me in his service forever, as I had managed to cure myself of many bad human habits by imitating his kind. Nevertheless, the pressure from his neighbors had become irresistible. He knew it would be impossible for me to swim to another land, so he suggested I build a vehicle, like the ships I had described, to carry me across the sea. He promised that his servants would assist me in this difficult task.
Overwhelmed by grief and despair, I fell into a swoon at his feet. When I recovered, I told him in a faint voice that death would have been a kinder fate. While I could not blame the Assembly for their decision, the prospect of returning to live among "human Yahoos" was almost more than I could bear. I feared I would relapse into my old corruptions without the Houyhnhnms' example to guide me. However, I expressed my gratitude for his help and requested a reasonable amount of time to build a vessel, promising that if I ever returned to England, I would spend my life celebrating the virtues of his noble race.
My master granted me two months to finish the task and ordered the sorrel nag, whom I considered a dear companion, to assist me. We traveled to the coast where I had first been abandoned. Looking through my pocket glass toward the northeast, I thought I glimpsed a small island about five leagues away. Though the sorrel nag saw only a blue cloud, I resolved that this island would be my first destination.
For the next six weeks, we worked tirelessly. We cut oak branches, and with the help of the nag’s strength and my own ingenuity, I constructed a large canoe. I covered the frame with Yahoo skins, stitched together with hempen thread, and even fashioned a sail from the same material. After testing the boat in a large pond and sealing any leaks with fat, I had it drawn to the seaside on a carriage.
When the day of my departure finally arrived, I took a painful leave of my master and his family. My heart was heavy with sorrow. Out of kindness and curiosity, my master accompanied me to the shore to see me off. As I prepared to depart, I attempted to prostrate myself and kiss his hoof, but he did me the extraordinary honor of raising it gently to my mouth. I am aware that some might find this detail improbable or think me vain for mentioning it, but those who know the courteous nature of the Houyhnhnms will understand the significance of such a gesture. With a final respectful farewell to the company, I stepped into my canoe and pushed off from the shore, leaving behind the only true civilization I had ever known.