In chapter 7, Gulliver learns that Flimnap, Skyresh Bolgolam, and other politicians have drafted articles of impeachment for committing treason and other capital crimes against Lilliput. The articles against Gulliver accuse him of "maliciously" and "traitorously" discharging urine within the precincts of the royal palace, not following the emperor's orders to destroy the entire Blefuscuan fleet, and secretly attempting to aid and assist the country of Blefuscu. Gulliver then learns that the Lilliputian emperor has accepted the articles and crimes levied against him. The Lilliputian emperor also met with his council and decided to "mercifully" blind Gulliver and gradually starve him to death as punishment for his crimes. Swift uses the emperor's terrible punishment and description as being merciful and generous to satirize how the English politicians portrayed the cruel King George I. Fortunately, Gulliver is able to escape Lilliput before the emperor can enact his brutal punishment.
Gulliver has been accused by a number of scheming Lilliputian politicians and courtiers of treason. Gulliver thought he was doing the right thing by not seizing the entire Blefuscan fleet, but, being a naive, trusting soul, he never reckoned on the chronic deviousness of Lilliputian court lackeys. He is also accused of passing water in public, which, given Gulliver's enormous size in relation to the Lilliputians, is a serious charge indeed.
The Emperor, a fool as well as an ingrate, succumbs to the influence of the smears and innuendos whispered in his ear by his slippery subordinates. He decides to punish Gulliver "humanely" by making him blind and allowing him to starve to death. This way he will save on his upkeep. Gulliver gets wind of this dastardly plan and immediately takes off for Blefuscu.
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