Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 6.djvu/268

242 counsellors. Yet perhaps, the virtue of those reverend sages, was too strict for the corrupt and libertine manners of a court. And we often find by experience, that young men are too opinionated and volatile, to be guided by the sober dictates of their seniors. However, since the king was pleased to allow me access to his royal person, I was resolved, upon the very first occasion, to deliver my opinion to him on this matter freely and at large, by the help of my interpreter; and whether he would please to take my advice or not, yet in one thing I was determined, that his majesty having frequently offered me an establishment in this country, I would, with great thinkfulness, accept the favour, and pass my life here in the conversation of those superiour beings, the struldbrugs, if they would please to admit me.

The gentleman, to whom I addressed my discourse, because (as I have already observed) he spoke the language of Balnibarbi, said to me with a sort of a smile, which usually arrises from pity to the ignorant, that he was glad of any occasion to keep me among them, and desired my permission to explain to the company what I had spoke. He did so, and they talked together for some time in their own language, whereof I understood not a syllable, neither could I observe by their countenances, what impression my discourse had made on them. After a short silence, the same person told me, that his friends and mine (so he thought fit to express himself) were very much pleased with the judicious remarks I had made, on the great happiness and advantages of immortal life, and they were desirous to know in a particular manner, what scheme of living I should