How did I tremble when, by thousands bound,
I saw thee stretch'd on Lilliputian ground?
When scaling armies climb'd up every part,
Each step they trod I felt upon my heart:
But when thy torrent quench'd the dreadful blaze,
King, queen, and nation, staring with amaze,
Full in my view how all my husband came!
And what extinguish'd theirs, increas'd my flame.
Those spectacles, ordain'd thine eyes to save,
Were once my present; Love that armour gave.
How did I mourn at Bolgolam's decree!
For when he sign'd thy death, he sentenc'd me.
When folks might see thee all the country round
For sixpence, I'd have given a thousand pound.
Lord! when that giant babe that head of thine
Got in his mouth, my heart was up in mine!
When in the marrow-bone I saw thee ramm'd,
Or on the house-top by the monkey cramm'd,
The piteous images renew my pain,
And all thy dangers I weep o'er again.
But on the maiden's nipple when you rid,
Pray Heav'n 'twas all a wanton maiden did!
Glumdalclitch too!-with thee I mourn her case;
Heav'n guard the gentle girl from all disgrace!
O may the king that one neglect forgive,
And pardon her the fault by which I live!
Was there no other way to set him free!
My life, alas! I fear prov'd death to thee.
O teach me, dear! new words to speak my flame! Teach me to woo thee by thy best-lov'd name;
Whether the style of Grildrig please thee most,
So call'd on Brobdingnag's stupendous coast,
When on the monarch's ample hand you sate,
And hallow'd in his ear intrigues of state,
Or Quinbus Flestrin more endearment brings,
When like a mountain you look'd down on kings;
If ducal Nardac, Lilliputian peer,
Or Glumglum's humbler title soothe thy ear;
Nay, would kind Jove my organs so dispose,
To hymn harmonious Houyhnhym through the
I'd call thee Houyhnhym, that high-sounding
Thy children's noses all should twang the same; So might I find my loving spouse of course Endued with all the virtues of a horse.
IN amaze
Lost, I gaze
Can our eyes
Reach thy size?
May my lays
Swell with praise
Worthy thee!
Worthy me!
Muse, inspire
All thy fire!
Bards of old
Of him told,
When they said
Atlas' head
Propt the skies.
See! and believe your eyes!
See him stride
Valleys wide;
Over woods,
Over floods.
When he treads,
Mountains' heads
Groan and shake:
Armies quake,
Lest his spurn
Overturn
Man and steed.
Troops take heed;
Left and right
Speed your flight,
Lest an host
Beneath his foot be lost.
Turn'd aside
From his hide,
Safe from wound,
Darts rebound.
From his nose
Clouds he blows!
When he speaks,
Thunder breaks !
When he eats,
Famine threats!
When he drinks,
Neptune shrinks!
Nigh thy ear,
In mid air,
On thy hand
Let me stand,
So shall I,
(Lofty Poet!) touch the sky.
THE MAN-MOUNTAIN'S ANSWER
TO THE LILLIPUTIAN VERSES.
LITTLE Thing!
I would sing
Lofty song,
Measure long;
But I fear
That thine ear
Such a poem could not bear :
Therefore I
Mean to try
Humbler lays
Worthy praise.
If my strains
Work'd thee pains,
'Tis not mine
To divine
Whether cost,
Labour lost,
May on Lilliput be tost.
Horse and foot
Would you put
In the way,
Who could say
I had blame,
If they came
Near my stride,
And beside,
My huge foot gigantic died?
But while here
I appear
Mountain-size
To little eyes,
All that strain,
Seek in vain,
Whilst I climb
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