Blefuscu court

The Blefuscu court governs the island empire of Blefuscu, which lies to the north-northeast of Lilliput, separated only by a channel eight hundred yards wide. It is the other great empire of the universe in the Lilliputian worldview, almost as large and powerful as Lilliput itself. The court's most significant appearance in the narrative occurs after Gulliver's capture of the Blefuscu fleet, when it sends a solemn embassy to Lilliput with humble offers of peace. The six ambassadors, accompanied by a train of about five hundred persons, made a magnificent entry into the Lilliputian capital. During the treaty negotiations, Gulliver, by the credit he then had at the Lilliputian court, performed several good offices for the Blefuscudian ambassadors, who were privately told how much he had been their friend. They subsequently visited him in form, complimenting his valor and generosity, and invited him to their kingdom in the name of their emperor. Gulliver resolved to attend the Blefuscudian monarch before returning to his own country, a decision that contributed to the conspiracy against him in Lilliput.

Reception of Gulliver and the Emperor's Response to Lilliput

When Gulliver arrived at the royal port of Blefuscu, the people had long expected him. He was lent two guides to direct him to the capital city, which bore the same name as the island. Within about an hour, the emperor, attended by the royal family and great officers of the court, came out to receive him. Gulliver lay on the ground to kiss the emperor's and empress's hands, and the Blefuscudian monarch offered him any service in his power consistent with his duty to his own prince. The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days to consult, returned an answer to the Lilliputian envoy who demanded Gulliver's return. He stated that sending Gulliver bound was impossible, and that although Gulliver had deprived him of his fleet, he owed great obligations to him for many good offices in making the peace. He further noted that both empires would soon be freed from so insupportable an incumbrance, as Gulliver had found a prodigious vessel on the shore and was preparing to depart. The emperor offered Gulliver his gracious protection if he would continue in his service, but Gulliver, having resolved never to put confidence in princes or ministers, humbly begged to be excused.

Gulliver's Departure and the Court's Role

The Blefuscu court, impatient to have Gulliver gone, readily contributed to his departure. Five hundred workmen were employed to make two sails for his boat, quilting thirteen folds of their strongest linen together. Gulliver was at the pains of making ropes and cables by twisting ten, twenty, or thirty of the thickest and strongest of theirs. A great stone found by the sea-shore served as an anchor, and he had the tallow of three hundred cows for greasing the boat. He was assisted by the emperor's ship-carpenters in smoothing the timber-trees he cut down for oars and masts. When all was prepared, the emperor and royal family came out of the palace. Gulliver lay down on his face to kiss the emperor's hand, which was graciously given him, as did the empress and young princes of the blood. His majesty presented Gulliver with fifty purses of two hundred sprugs each, together with his picture at full length, which Gulliver put immediately into one of his gloves to keep it from being hurt. The emperor would by no means permit Gulliver to take a dozen of the natives with him, and engaged his honor not to carry away any of his subjects, even with their own consent. Gulliver set sail on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1701, at six in the morning, carrying with him the gold and the picture given by the Blefuscudian monarch, which later convinced the English captain of his veracity.