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Page 12
After I had eat my Piece of Meat, a Bed was made for me in my Master's
Chamber, whither he conducted me. He made Signs, that I should lye down,
and was not a little astonish'd, I perceived, to see me open the
Bedding, go into it, and cover my self up. The pulling off my Cloaths he
did not wonder at, for the Rich and Great among 'em wear Mantles, and
cover their Legs with fine Cloath.
I slept very heartily, and very much at my Ease. My Master, who was a
rich Farmer, went the next Day to _Ludbitallya_, the Metropolis of the
Kingdom, about Forty Miles from his Home, to acquaint his Landlord
who was a Minister of State, what a Rarity he had in Possession.
He set out about Six in the Morning, and returned at Noon; for the
_Cacklogallinians_ will fly at the Rate of Twenty Miles an Hour. His
Landlord came in less than that Space after in great State. He was
preceded by Half a Dozen Servants, who carried large Battens in their
right Feet, and made no Ceremony of knocking any on the Head who came
in their Way. He was in a sort of Palanquin, covered with fine Cloth,
and powdered with silver Stars in Circles, supported by four
_Cacklogallinians_ adorn'd with silver Chains. As to his Person, he was
about Nine Foot high when he stood upright, and very corpulent; for,
what is wonderful among these People (if I may be allow'd that Term)
they grow in Bulk, and their Appetites increase in Proportion to their
Riches and Honour, of which I was an Eye-witness in the Persons of my
Master and his Male Children, for the Females are not perceivably
affected with a Change of Fortune. This holds good in its Opposite, for
Adversity will bring down the tallest to the Size or a Dwarf, that is,
to Three Foot.
But to return to this Minister, whose Name was _Brusquallio_. He was
cover'd with a rich loose Garment embroider'd, and wore on his Neck a
yellow, green and red Ribbon, from which hung a Gold Medal of a Cock
trampling on a Lion, which is the Badge of the greatest Honour the
Emperor of _Cacklogallinia_ can bestow on a Subject. He had a great
Number of Followers, who paid him a sort of Adoration. When he alighted,
my Master met him on the Out-side of the Door, threw himself on his
Belly, and held his Beak to the Ground, till the other order'd him to
rise; for I have since learnt both their Customs and Language. When he
came in, I was brought to him.
My Master, as I have since learnt, told his Lordship, that he fancied I
had some Glimmerings of Reason, notwithstanding the hideous Make of my
Person, and gave for an Instance, my getting into my Bed as decently as
a _Cacklogallinian_; and that of my Species certainly had a Language
among 'em, for he had heard me very distinctly utter some unintelligible
Words, and even repeat some after him.
I threw my self on my Knees, and in the most humble Posture address'd my
self to his Lordship, telling him in _English_, that I was a harmless
unfortunate Man, who was cast upon their Coast, was an Object of
Compassion, and below their Anger; that as I never did, nor meant Harm
to any, I hoped to experience his Lordship's Mercy.
He seem'd highly delighted to hear me speak, and viewed me with a
visible Surprize. My Master coming to me, said, _Ednu sinvi_? which I
repeated after him (as I perceiv'd he was desirous I should) to the
great Satisfaction of the Minister, who, as I have since known, desired
to purchase, have me taught the _Cacklogallinian_ and Court Language
(for the Court did not speak that of the Country, for a Reason hereafter
to be mention'd) and present me to his Imperial Majesty, as the greatest
Rarity in Nature. When he bid my Master set a Price, he answer'd, That
his Lordship's doing him the Honour to accept such a Trifle from his
Slave, he esteem'd beyond any Sum of Money, notwithstanding his Poverty.
Well, _says the Grandee_, bring him to me to-morrow, I accept the
Present, and you shall have no Reason to repent your trusting to me.
The Minister got into his Palanquin, and his four Bearers flew off with
him with that incredible Swiftness, his Attendance had much ado to keep
up with it.
The next Morning, my Master taking me by the Sleeve with his Beak,
led me out of Doors, and then walk'd forward. I stood still, and he
returned, pull'd me by the Coat, and walk'd on again; by which I guess'd
he would have me follow him, as I accordingly did, accompanied by one of
his Servants, who kept by my Side. He went too fast, for me to keep him
Company; which he perceiving, spoke to the Servant, and they took Wing
together, and each of them laying hold on an Arm, lifted me about Thirty
Foot from the Ground, and in Four Hours, alighted about a Quarter of a
Mile distant from a very large Town.
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