Page:Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World by Lemuel Gulliver First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships.djvu/65

CHAP. II Sealed on the Fourth day of the Eighty-ninth moon of your Majesty's auspicious Reign. Clefren Frelock, Marsi Frelock.

this Inventory was read over to the Emperor, he directed me, although in very gentle terms, to deliver up the several Particulars. He first called for my Scymiter, which I took out, Scabbard and all. In the mean time he ordered Three Thousand of his choicest Troops (who then attended him) to surround me at a distance, with their Bows and Arrows just ready to discharge: But I did not observe it, for mine Eyes were wholly fixed upon his Majesty. He then desired me to draw my Scymiter, which, although it had got some Rust by the Sea-water, was in most parts exceeding bright. I did so, and immediately all the Troops gave a Shout between Terror and Surprize; for the Sun shone clear, and the ReflexionReflection [sic] dazled their Eyes as I waved the Scymiter to and fro in my hand. His Majesty, who is a most magnanimous Prince, was less daunted than I could expect ; he ordered me to return it into the Scabbard, and cast it on the ground as gently as I could, about Six foot from the end of my Chain. The next thing he demanded was One of the hollow Iron Pillars, by which he meant my Pocket-pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging it only with powder, which by the closeness of my Pouch happened to scape wetting in the Sea (an inconvenience against which all prudent Mariners take special care to provide) I first cautioned the Emperor not to be afraid, and then I let it off in the Air. The Astonishment here was much greater than at the sight of my Scymiter. Hundreds fell down as if they had been struck dead; and even the Emperor, although he stood his ground, could not recover himself in some time. I delivered up both my Pistols in the same manner as I had done my Scymiter, and then my Pouch of Powder and Bullets; begging him that the former might be kept from the Fire, for it would kindle with the smallest Spark, and blow up his Imperial Palace into the Air. I likewise delivered up my Watch, which the Emperor was very