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 Portuguese1 ship. The great civilities of the captain. The author arrives at England.
I began this desperate voyage on February 15, 1714-15, at nine o’clock in the morning. The wind was very favourable2; however, I made use at first only of my paddles; but considering I should soon be weary, and that the wind might chop about, I ventured to set up my little sail; and thus, with the help of the tide, I went at the rate of a league and a half an hour, as near as I could guess. My master and his friends continued on the shore till I was almost out of sight; and I often heard the sorrel nag3 (who always loved me) crying out, “Hnuy illa nyha, majah Yahoo;” “Take care of thyself, gentle Yahoo.”
My design was, if possible, to discover some small island uninhabited, yet sufficient, by my labour, to furnish me with the necessaries of life, which I would have thought a greater happiness, than to be first minister in the politest court of Europe; so horrible was the idea I conceived of returning to live in the society, and under the government of Yahoos. For in such a solitude4 as I desired, I could at least enjoy my own thoughts, and reflect with delight on the virtues5 of those inimitable Houyhnhnms, without an opportunity of degenerating6 into the vices7 and corruptions9 of my own species.
The reader may remember what I related, when my crew conspired10 against me, and confined me to my cabin; how I continued there several weeks without knowing what course we took; and when I was put ashore11 in the long-boat, how the sailors told me, with oaths, whether true or false, “that they knew not in what part of the world we were.” However, I did then believe us to be about 10 degrees southward of the Cape13 of Good Hope, or about 45 degrees southern latitude14, as I gathered from some general words I overheard among them, being I supposed to the south-east in their intended voyage to Madagascar. And although this were little better than conjecture15, yet I resolved to steer16 my course eastward17, hoping to reach the south-west coast of New Holland, and perhaps some such island as I desired lying westward18 of it. The wind was full west, and by six in the evening I computed19 I had gone eastward at least eighteen leagues; when I spied a very small island about half a league off, which I soon reached. It was nothing but a rock, with one creek20 naturally arched by the force of tempests. Here I put in my canoe, and climbing a part of the rock, I could plainly discover land to the east, extending from south to north. I lay all night in my canoe; and repeating my voyage early in the morning, I arrived in seven hours to the south-east point of New Holland. This confirmed me in the opinion I have long entertained, that the maps and charts place this country at least three degrees more to the east than it really is; which thought I communicated many years ago to my worthy21 friend, Mr. Herman Moll, and gave him my reasons for it, although he has rather chosen to follow other authors.
I saw no inhabitants in the place where I landed, and being unarmed, I was afraid of venturing far into the country. I found some shellfish on the shore, and ate them raw, not daring to kindle22 a fire, for fear of being discovered by the natives. I continued three days feeding on oysters23 and limpets, to save my own provisions; and I fortunately found a brook24 of excellent water, which gave me great relief.
On the fourth day, venturing out early a little too far, I saw twenty or thirty natives upon a height not above five hundred yards from me. They were stark25 naked, men, women, and children, round a fire, as I could discover by the smoke. One of them spied me, and gave notice to the rest; five of them advanced toward me, leaving the women and children at the fire. I made what haste I could to the shore, and, getting into my canoe, shoved off: the savages27, observing me retreat, ran after me: and before I could get far enough into the sea, discharged an arrow which wounded me deeply on the inside of my left knee: I shall carry the mark to my grave. I apprehended28 the arrow might be poisoned, and paddling out of the reach of their darts29 (being a calm day), I made a shift to suck the wound, and dress it as well as I could.
I was at a loss what to do, for I durst not return to the same landing-place, but stood to the north, and was forced to paddle, for the wind, though very gentle, was against me, blowing north-west. As I was looking about for a secure landing-place, I saw a sail to the north-north-east, which appearing every minute more visible, I was in some doubt whether I should wait for them or not; but at last my detestation of the Yahoo race prevailed: and turning my canoe, I sailed and paddled together to the south, and got into the same creek whence I set out in the morning, choosing rather to trust myself among these barbarians30, than live with European Yahoos. I drew up my canoe as close as I could to the shore, and hid myself behind a stone by the little brook, which, as I have already said, was excellent water.
The ship came within half a league of this creek, and sent her long boat with vessels31 to take in fresh water (for the place, it seems, was very well known); but I did not observe it, till the boat was almost on shore; and it was too late to seek another hiding-place. The seamen32 at their landing observed my canoe, and rummaging33 it all over, easily conjectured34 that the owner could not be far off. Four of them, well armed, searched every cranny and lurking-hole, till at last they found me flat on my face behind the stone. They gazed awhile in admiration35 at my strange uncouth36 dress; my coat made of skins, my wooden-soled shoes, and my furred stockings; whence, however, they concluded, I was not a native of the place, who all go naked. One of the seamen, in Portuguese, bid me rise, and asked who I was. I understood that language very well, and getting upon my feet, said, “I was a poor Yahoo banished37 from the Houyhnhnms, and desired they would please to let me depart.” They admired to hear me answer them in their own tongue, and saw by my complexion38 I must be a European; but were at a loss to know what I meant by Yahoos and Houyhnhnms; and at the same time fell a-laughing at my strange tone in speaking, which resembled the neighing of a horse. I trembled all the while betwixt fear and hatred39. I again desired leave to depart, and was gently moving to my canoe; but they laid hold of me, desiring to know, “what country I was of? whence I came?” with many other questions. I told them “I was born in England, whence I came about five years ago, and then their country and ours were at peace. I therefore hoped they would not treat me as an enemy, since I meant them no harm, but was a poor Yahoo seeking some desolate40 place where to pass the remainder of his unfortunate life.”
When they began to talk, I thought I never heard or saw any thing more unnatural41; for it appeared to me as monstrous42 as if a dog or a cow should speak in England, or a Yahoo in Houyhnhnmland. The honest Portuguese were equally amazed at my strange dress, and the odd manner of delivering my words, which, however, they understood very well. They spoke43 to me with great humanity, and said, “they were sure the captain would carry me gratis44 to Lisbon, whence I might return to my own country; that two of the seamen would go back to the ship, inform the captain of what they had seen, and receive his orders; in the mean time, unless I would give my solemn oath not to fly, they would secure me by force. I thought it best to comply with their proposal. They were very curious to know my story, but I gave them very little satisfaction, and they all conjectured that my misfortunes had impaired45 my reason. In two hours the boat, which went laden46 with vessels of water, returned, with the captain’s command to fetch me on board. I fell on my knees to preserve my liberty; but all was in vain; and the men, having tied me with cords, heaved me into the boat, whence I was taken into the ship, and thence into the captain’s cabin.
His name was Pedro de Mendez; he was a very courteous47 and generous person. He entreated48 me to give some account of myself, and desired to know what I would eat or drink; said, “I should be used as well as himself;” and spoke so many obliging things, that I wondered to find such civilities from a Yahoo. However, I remained silent and sullen49; I was ready to faint at the very smell of him and his men. At last I desired something to eat out of my own canoe; but he ordered me a chicken, and some excellent wine, and then directed that I should be put to bed in a very clean cabin. I would not undress myself, but lay on the bed-clothes, and in half an hour stole out, when I thought the crew was at dinner, and getting to the side of the ship, was going to leap into the sea, and swim for my life, rather than continue among Yahoos. But one of the seamen prevented me, and having informed the captain, I was chained to my cabin.
After dinner, Don Pedro came to me, and desired to know my reason for so desperate an attempt; assured me, “he only meant to do me all the service he was able;” and spoke so very movingly, that at last I descended50 to treat him like an animal which had some little portion of reason. I gave him a very short relation of my voyage; of the conspiracy51 against me by my own men; of the country where they set me on shore, and of my five years residence there. All which he looked upon as if it were a dream or a vision; whereat I took great offence; for I had quite forgot the faculty52 of lying, so peculiar53 to Yahoos, in all countries where they preside, and, consequently, their disposition54 of suspecting truth in others of their own species. I asked him, “whether it were the custom in his country to say the thing which was not?” I assured him, “I had almost forgot what he meant by falsehood, and if I had lived a thousand years in Houyhnhnmland, I should never have heard a lie from the meanest servant; that I was altogether indifferent whether he believed me or not; but, however, in return for his favours, I would give so much allowance to the corruption8 of his nature, as to answer any objection he would please to make, and then he might easily discover the truth.”
The captain, a wise man, after many endeavours to catch me tripping in some part of my story, at last began to have a better opinion of my veracity55. But he added, “that since I professed56 so inviolable an attachment57 to truth, I must give him my word and honour to bear him company in this voyage, without attempting any thing against my life; or else he would continue me a prisoner till we arrived at Lisbon.” I gave him the promise he required; but at the same time protested, “that I would suffer the greatest hardships, rather than return to live among Yahoos.”
Our voyage passed without any considerable accident. In gratitude58 to the captain, I sometimes sat with him, at his earnest request, and strove to conceal59 my antipathy60 against human kind, although it often broke out; which he suffered to pass without observation. But the greatest part of the day I confined myself to my cabin, to avoid seeing any of the crew. The captain had often entreated me to strip myself of my savage26 dress, and offered to lend me the best suit of clothes he had. This I would not be prevailed on to accept, abhorring61 to cover myself with any thing that had been on the back of a Yahoo. I only desired he would lend me two clean shirts, which, having been washed since he wore them, I believed would not so much defile62 me. These I changed every second day, and washed them myself.
We arrived at Lisbon, Nov. 5, 1715. At our landing, the captain forced me to cover myself with his cloak, to prevent the rabble63 from crowding about me. I was conveyed to his own house; and at my earnest request he led me up to the highest room backwards64. I conjured65 him “to conceal from all persons what I had told him of the Houyhnhnms; because the least hint of such a story would not only draw numbers of people to see me, but probably put me in danger of being imprisoned66, or burnt by the Inquisition.” The captain persuaded me to accept a suit of clothes newly made; but I would not suffer the tailor to take my measure; however, Don Pedro being almost of my size, they fitted me well enough. He accoutred me with other necessaries, all new, which I aired for twenty-four hours before I would use them.
The captain had no wife, nor above three servants, none of which were suffered to attend at meals; and his whole deportment was so obliging, added to very good human understanding, that I really began to tolerate his company. He gained so far upon me, that I ventured to look out of the back window. By degrees I was brought into another room, whence I peeped into the street, but drew my head back in a fright. In a week’s time he seduced67 me down to the door. I found my terror gradually lessened68, but my hatred and contempt seemed to increase. I was at last bold enough to walk the street in his company, but kept my nose well stopped with rue12, or sometimes with tobacco.
In ten days, Don Pedro, to whom I had given some account of my domestic affairs, put it upon me, as a matter of honour and conscience, “that I ought to return to my native country, and live at home with my wife and children.” He told me, “there was an English ship in the port just ready to sail, and he would furnish me with all things necessary.” It would be tedious to repeat his arguments, and my contradictions. He said, “it was altogether impossible to find such a solitary69 island as I desired to live in; but I might command in my own house, and pass my time in a manner as recluse70 as I pleased.”
I complied at last, finding I could not do better. I left Lisbon the 24th day of November, in an English merchantman, but who was the master I never inquired. Don Pedro accompanied me to the ship, and lent me twenty pounds. He took kind leave of me, and embraced me at parting, which I bore as well as I could. During this last voyage I had no commerce with the master or any of his men; but, pretending I was sick, kept close in my cabin. On the fifth of December, 1715, we cast anchor in the Downs, about nine in the morning, and at three in the afternoon I got safe to my house at Rotherhith. 7
My wife and family received me with great surprise and joy, because they concluded me certainly dead; but I must freely confess the sight of them filled me only with hatred, disgust, and contempt; and the more, by reflecting on the near alliance I had to them. For although, since my unfortunate exile from the Houyhnhnm country, I had compelled myself to tolerate the sight of Yahoos, and to converse71 with Don Pedro de Mendez, yet my memory and imagination were perpetually filled with the virtues and ideas of those exalted72 Houyhnhnms. And when I began to consider that, by copulating with one of the Yahoo species I had become a parent of more, it struck me with the utmost shame, confusion, and horror.
As soon as I entered the house, my wife took me in her arms, and kissed me; at which, having not been used to the touch of that odious73 animal for so many years, I fell into a swoon for almost an hour. At the time I am writing, it is five years since my last return to England. During the first year, I could not endure my wife or children in my presence; the very smell of them was intolerable; much less could I suffer them to eat in the same room. To this hour they dare not presume to touch my bread, or drink out of the same cup, neither was I ever able to let one of them take me by the hand. The first money I laid out was to buy two young stone-horses, which I keep in a good stable; and next to them, the groom74 is my greatest favourite, for I feel my spirits revived by the smell he contracts in the stable. My horses understand me tolerably well; I converse with them at least four hours every day. They are strangers to bridle75 or saddle; they live in great amity76 with me and friendship to each other.
收听单词发音 |
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Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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nag
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| v.(对…)不停地唠叨；n.爱唠叨的人 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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degenerating
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的现在分词 ) | |
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vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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corruptions
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| n.堕落( corruption的名词复数 )；腐化；腐败；贿赂 | |
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conspired
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| 密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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computed
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| adj.[医]计算的，使用计算机的v.计算，估算( compute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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oysters
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| 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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rummaging
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| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的现在分词 )； 海关检查 | |
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conjectured
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| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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gratis
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| adj.免费的 | |
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impaired
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| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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antipathy
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| n.憎恶；反感，引起反感的人或事物 | |
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abhorring
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| v.憎恶( abhor的现在分词 )；（厌恶地）回避；拒绝；淘汰 | |
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defile
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| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
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rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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seduced
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| 诱奸( seduce的过去式和过去分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷 | |
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68
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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70
recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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72
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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73
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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74
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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amity
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| n.友好关系 | |
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