Gulliver's Travels (Oxford World's Classics) by Swift Jonathan & Claude Rawson & Ian Higgins

Author:Swift, Jonathan & Claude Rawson & Ian Higgins [Swift, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2005-03-10T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Author leaves Lagado, arrives at Maldonada. No Ship ready. He takes a Short Voyage to Glubbdubdrib. His Reception by the Governor.

THE Continent of which this Kingdom is a part, extends itself, as I have Reason to believe, Eastward to that unknown Tract of America, Westward to California, and North to the Pacifick Ocean, which is not above an hundred and fifty Miles from Lagado; where there is a good Port and much Commerce with the great Island of Luggnagg, situated to the North-West* about 29 Degrees North Latitude, and 140 Longitude. The Island of Luggnagg stands South Eastward of Japan, about an hundred leagues distant. There is a strict Alliance between the Japanese Emperor and the King of Luggnagg, which affords frequent Opportunities of sailing from one Island to the other. I determined therefore to direct my Course this Way, in order to my Return to Europe. I hired two Mules with a Guide to shew me the Way, and carry my small Baggage. I took leave of my noble Protector, who had shewn me so much Favour and made me a generous Present at my Departure.

My Journey was without any Accident or Adventure worth relating. When I arrived at the Port of Maldonada, (for so it is called) there was no Ship in the Harbour bound for Luggnagg, nor like to be in some Time. The Town is about as large as Portsmouth. I soon fell into some Acquaintance, and was very hospitably received. A Gentleman of Distinction said to me, that since the Ships bound for Luggnagg could not be ready in less than a Month, it might be no disagreeable Amusement for me to take a Trip to the little Island of Glubbdubdrib, about five Leagues to the South-West. He offered himself and a Friend to accompany me, and that I should be provided with a small convenient Barque for the Voyage.

GLUBBDUBDRIB,* as nearly as I can interpret the Word, signifies the Island of Sorcerers or Magicians. It is about one-third as large as the Isle of Wight, and extreamly fruitful: It is governed by the Head of a certain Tribe, who are all Magicians. This Tribe marries only among each other; and the eldest in Succession is Prince or Governor. He hath a noble Palace, and a Park of about three thousand Acres, surrounded by a Wall of hewn Stone twenty Foot high. In this Park are several small Inclosures for Cattle, Corn and Gardening.

The Governor and his Family are served and attended by Domesticks of a Kind somewhat unusual. By his Skill in Necromancy, he hath Power of calling whom he pleaseth from the Dead, and commanding their Service for twenty-four Hours, but no longer; nor can he call the same Persons up again in less than three Months, except upon very extraordinary Occasions.

When we arrived at the Island, which was about Eleven in the Morning, one of the Gentlemen who accompanied me, went to the Governor, and desired Admittance for a Stranger, who came on purpose to have the Honour of attending on his Highness.

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