Gulliver's Travels Full Text

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Part 1, Chapter 1

The author gives some account of himself and family. His first inducements to travel. He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life. Gets safe on shore in the country of Lilliput; is made a prisoner, a...

Part 1, Chapter 2

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...

Part 1, Chapter 3

The author diverts the emperor, and his nobility of both sexes, in a very uncommon manner. The diversions of the court of Lilliput described. The author has his liberty granted him upon certain con...

Part 1, Chapter 4

Mildendo, the metropolis of Lilliput, described, together with the emperor’s palace. A conversation between the author and a principal secretary, concerning the affairs of that empire. The author...

Part 1, Chapter 5

The author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion. A high title of honour is conferred upon him. Ambassadors arrive from the emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace. The empress’s ap...

Part 1, Chapter 6

Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their learning, laws, and customs; the manner of educating their children. The author’s way of living in that country. His vindication of a great lady.Although I i...

Part 1, Chapter 7

The author, being informed of a design to accuse him of high-treason, makes his escape to Blefuscu. His reception there.Before I proceed to give an account of my leaving this kingdom, it may be pro...

Part 1, Chapter 8

The author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and, after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country.Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the north-e...

Part 2, Chapter 1

A great storm described; the long boat sent to fetch water; the author goes with it to discover the country. He is left on shore, is seized by one of the natives, and carried to a farmer’s house....

Part 2, Chapter 2

A description of the farmer’s daughter. The author carried to a market-town, and then to the metropolis. The particulars of his journey.My mistress had a daughter of nine years old, a child of to...

Part 2, Chapter 3

The author sent for to court. The queen buys him of his master the farmer, and presents him to the king. He disputes with his majesty’s great scholars. An apartment at court provided for the auth...

Part 2, Chapter 4

The country described. A proposal for correcting modern maps. The king’s palace; and some account of the metropolis. The author’s way of travelling. The chief temple described.I now intend to g...

Part 2, Chapter 5

Several adventurers that happened to the author. The execution of a criminal. The author shows his skill in navigation.I should have lived happy enough in that country, if my littleness had not exp...

Part 2, Chapter 6

Several contrivances of the author to please the king and queen. He shows his skill in music. The king inquires into the state of England, which the author relates to him. The king’s observations...

Part 2, Chapter 7

The author’s love of his country. He makes a proposal of much advantage to the king, which is rejected. The king’s great ignorance in politics. The learning of that country very imperfect and c...

Part 2, Chapter 8

The king and queen make a progress to the frontiers. The author attends them. The manner in which he leaves the country very particularly related. He returns to England.I had always a strong impuls...

Part 3, Chapter 1

The author sets out on his third voyage. Is taken by pirates. The malice of a Dutchman. His arrival at an island. He is received into Laputa.I had not been at home above ten days, when Captain Will...

Part 3, Chapter 2

The humours and dispositions of the Laputians described. An account of their learning. Of the king and his court. The author’s reception there. The inhabitants subject to fear and disquietudes. A...

Part 3, Chapter 3

A phenomenon solved by modern philosophy and astronomy. The Laputians’ great improvements in the latter. The king’s method of suppressing insurrections.I desired leave of this prince to see the...

Part 3, Chapter 4

The author leaves Laputa; is conveyed to Balnibarbi; arrives at the metropolis. A description of the metropolis, and the country adjoining. The author hospitably received by a great lord. His conve...

Part 3, Chapter 5

The author permitted to see the grand academy of Lagado. The academy largely described. The arts wherein the professors employ themselves.This academy is not an entire single building, but a contin...

Part 3, Chapter 6

A further account of the academy. The author proposes some improvements, which are honourably received.In the school of political projectors, I was but ill entertained; the professors appearing, in...

Part 3, Chapter 7

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 apart, extends itself,...

Part 3, Chapter 8

A further account of Glubbdubdrib. Ancient and modern history corrected.Having a desire to see those ancients who were most renowned for wit and learning, I set apart one day on purpose. I proposed...

Part 3, Chapter 9

The author returns to Maldonada. Sails to the kingdom of Luggnagg. The author confined. He is sent for to court. The manner of his admittance. The king’s great lenity to his subjects.The day of o...

Part 3, Chapter 10

The Luggnaggians commended. A particular description of the Struldbrugs, with many conversations between the author and some eminent persons upon that subject.The Luggnaggians are a polite and gene...

Part 3, Chapter 11

The author leaves Luggnagg, and sails to Japan. From thence he returns in a Dutch ship to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to England.I thought this account of the _struldbrugs_ might be some entertai...

Part 4, Chapter 1

The author sets out as captain of a ship. His men conspire against him, confine him a long time to his cabin, and set him on shore in an unknown land. He travels up into the country. The Yahoos, a...

Part 4, Chapter 2

The author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his house. The house described. The author’s reception. The food of the Houyhnhnms. The author in distress for want of meat. Is at last relieved. His manner...

Part 4, Chapter 3

The author studies to learn the language. The Houyhnhnm, his master, assists in teaching him. The language described. Several Houyhnhnms of quality come out of curiosity to see the author. He gives...

Part 4, Chapter 4

The Houyhnhnm’s notion of truth and falsehood. The author’s discourse disapproved by his master. The author gives a more particular account of himself, and the accidents of his voyage.My master...

Part 4, Chapter 5

The author at his master’s command, informs him of the state of England. The causes of war among the princes of Europe. The author begins to explain the English constitution.The reader may please...

Part 4, Chapter 6

A continuation of the state of England under Queen Anne. The character of a first minister of state in European courts.My master was yet wholly at a loss to understand what motives could incite thi...

Part 4, Chapter 7

The author’s great love of his native country. His master’s observations upon the constitution and administration of England, as described by the author, with parallel cases and comparisons. Hi...

Part 4, Chapter 8

The author relates several particulars of the _Yahoos_. The great virtues of the _Houyhnhnms_. The education and exercise of their youth. Their general assembly.As I ought to have understood human...

Part 4, Chapter 9

A grand debate at the general assembly of the _Houyhnhnms_, and how it was determined. The learning of the _Houyhnhnms_. Their buildings. Their manner of burials. The defectiveness of their languag...

Part 4, Chapter 10

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 mu...

Part 4, Chapter 11

The author’s dangerous voyage. He arrives at New Holland, hoping to settle there. Is wounded with an arrow by one of the natives. Is seized and carried by force into a Portuguese ship. The great...

Part 4, Chapter 12

The author’s veracity. His design in publishing this work. His censure of those travellers who swerve from the truth. The author clears himself from any sinister ends in writing. An objection ans...