Having been privately told that I had befriended them , they made me a visit , and paying me many compliments on my valor and generosity , invited me to their kingdom in the Emperor their master 's name . I asked them to present my most humble respects to the Emperor their master , whose royal person I resolved to attend before I returned to my own country . Accordingly , the next time I had the honor to see our Emperor I desired his general permission to visit the Blefuscudian monarch . This he granted me , but in a very cold manner , of which I afterward learned the reason . When I was just preparing to pay my respects to the Emperor of Blefuscu , a distinguished person at Court , to whom I had once done a great service , came to my house very privately at night , and without sending his name desired admission . I put his lordship into my coat pocket , and , giving orders to a trusty servant to admit no one , I fastened the door , placed my visitor on the table , and sat down by it . His lordship 's face was full of trouble ; and he asked me to hear him with patience , in a matter that highly concerned my honor and my life . `` You are aware , '' he said , `` that Skyresh Bolgolam has been your mortal enemy ever since your arrival , and his hatred is increased since your great success against Blefuscu , by which his glory as admiral is obscured . This lord and others have accused you of treason , and several councils have been called in the most private manner on your account . Out of gratitude for your favors I procured information of the whole proceedings , venturing my head for your service , and this was the charge against you : `` First , that you , having brought the imperial fleet of Blefuscu into the royal port , were commanded by his Majesty to seize all the other ships , and put to death all the Bigendian exiles , and also all the people of the empire who would not immediately consent to break their eggs at the smaller end . And that , like a false traitor to his Most Serene Majesty , you excused yourself from the service on pretence of unwillingness to force the consciences and destroy the liberties and lives of an innocent people . `` Again , when ambassadors arrived from the Court of Blefuscu , like a false traitor , you aided and entertained them , though you knew them to be servants of a prince lately in open war against his Imperial Majesty . `` Moreover , you are now preparing , contrary to the duty of a faithful subject , to voyage to the Court of Blefuscu . `` In the debate on this charge , '' my friend continued , `` his Majesty often urged the services you had done him , while the admiral and treasurer insisted that you should be put to a shameful death . But Reldresal , secretary for private affairs , who has always proved himself your friend suggested that if his Majesty would please to spare your life and only give orders to put out both your eyes , justice might in some measure be satisfied . At this Bolgolam rose up in fury , wondering how the secretary dared desire to preserve the life of a traitor ; and the treasurer , pointing out the expense of keeping you , also urged your death . But his Majesty was graciously pleased to say that since the council thought the loss of your eyes too easy a punishment , some other might afterward be inflicted . And the secretary , humbly desiring to be heard again , said that as to expense your allowance might be gradually lessened , so that , for want of sufficient food you should grow weak and faint , and die in a few months , when his Majesty 's subjects might cut your flesh from your bones and bury it , leaving the skeleton for the admiration of posterity . `` Thus , through the great friendship of the secretary the affair was arranged . It was commanded that the plan of starving you by degrees should be kept a secret ; but the sentence of putting out your eyes was entered on the books .
In three days your friend the secretary will come to your house and read the accusation before you , and point out the great mercy of his Majesty , that only condemns you to the loss XXXXX your eyes -- which , he does not doubt , you will submit to humbly and gratefully .
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