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 sword and pistols taken from him.
When I finally stood on my feet, I looked around at the landscape and must confess I have never beheld a more enchanting prospect. The surrounding countryside appeared like a continuous garden, and the enclosed fields, which were about forty feet square, resembled tiny flowerbeds. These fields were intermingled with small woods, and even the tallest trees were, by my estimation, barely seven feet high. To my left, the town looked like a miniature stage set from a theatre.
I must mention a rather delicate matter. Having been confined for almost two days, I was forced by the necessities of nature to relieve myself inside my house. I felt great shame, but it was a matter of extreme urgency. Afterward, I made it my constant practice to perform such tasks outdoors at the full extent of my chain, and the Emperor’s servants took care to clear the waste away every morning. I mention this only to defend my reputation for cleanliness, which some of my enemies have unfairly questioned.
As I stepped outside for fresh air, I saw the Emperor approaching on horseback. This nearly ended in disaster; his horse, though well-trained, was terrified by the sight of a "moving mountain" and reared up on its hind legs. However, the prince—an excellent rider—kept his seat until his attendants rushed in to hold the bridle. When he dismounted, he surveyed me with great wonder, though he wisely stayed beyond the reach of my chain. He ordered his cooks to bring me food and drink, which they pushed forward in wheeled vehicles. I quickly emptied twenty wagons of meat and ten of liquor, finishing each vessel in a single gulp.
The Emperor is slightly taller than any of his courtiers, a difference just significant enough to inspire awe in his subjects. His features are strong, his complexion olive, and his manner majestic. To see him more clearly, I lay on my side so that our faces were level. He was dressed simply, in a style between European and Asian fashions, but wore a light golden helmet adorned with jewels. In his hand, he held a drawn sword—nearly three inches long—to defend himself should I happen to break loose. His voice was shrill but remarkably clear.
After the court retired, a crowd of curious people gathered. Some were so bold as to shoot arrows at me; one nearly hit my left eye. Consequently, the guards seized six ringleaders and handed them over to me for punishment. I put five of them in my pocket and pretended I was going to eat the sixth alive. The poor man screamed in terror, especially when I took out my penknife. However, I soon put them at ease; looking at them kindly, I cut their ropes and set them gently on the ground. This act of mercy greatly pleased the court and improved my reputation.
As the news of my arrival spread, thousands of people flocked to see me, leading to a neglect of work in the villages. To prevent a crisis, the Emperor decreed that no one could approach my house without a costly license. Meanwhile, the government debated what to do with me. They feared I might break loose or cause a famine due to my enormous appetite. Some suggested starving me or killing me with poisoned arrows, but they worried that the stench of my massive carcass might cause a plague. Eventually, they decided to provide me with a daily allowance of food—six cattle and forty sheep—and appointed six great scholars to teach me their language.
In about three weeks, I made great progress in my studies. The first words I learned were to beg for my liberty. The Emperor replied that this would take time and that I must first "swear a peace" with his kingdom. He also requested that I allow his officers to search me, as he feared I might carry dangerous weapons. I agreed and placed the two officers into my pockets. They made a detailed inventory of my possessions, though they were baffled by what they found.
They described my handkerchief as a "coarse cloth large enough to be a carpet," and my snuff-box as a "heavy silver chest" filled with dust that made them sneeze violently. They mistook my comb for a row of poles and my watch for a mysterious, ticking animal—or perhaps the god I worshipped, as I told them I seldom did anything without consulting it.
When the inventory was read, the Emperor ordered me to surrender my belongings. He commanded three thousand troops to surround me with their bows ready. I drew my sword, which glittered so brightly in the sun that the soldiers shouted in surprise. Next, I showed him my pistols. I warned the Emperor not to be alarmed and fired a shot into the air. The explosion caused hundreds of Lilliputians to fall down in terror, and even the Emperor was visibly shaken. I handed over my weapons, my watch, and my money, all of which were taken away in carriages. However, I managed to keep a secret pocket containing my spectacles and a small telescope, which I feared might be damaged or lost if they left my possession.