An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
[A fellow gives out himself for a Prophet.] There was lately one
among them that pretended himself a Prophet sent to them from a
new God, that as yet was nameless. At which the People were amused,
especially because he pretended to heal the Sick, and do Miracles:
and presently he was had in high veneration. He gave out it was the
command of the new nameless God to spoil and pull down the Dewals,
that is, the Temples of the former Gods. This he made a good progress
in, with no let or impediment from King or People. The King all this
while inclined neither to one or other, as not regarding such matters,
until he might see which of these Gods would prevail, the old or the
new. For this People stand in fear of all that are called Gods; and
this especially surprized them, because without a Name; so contrary
to all their old ones, who have Names. This new-found God therefore
went on boldly and successfully without controul: [His Success.] the
People all in general began to admire him thus come among them. And
great troops of People daily assembled thither with Sacrifices, and
to worship him. Whereby seeing their inclination so strong towards
him, he began to perceive it was not only possible, but also easie
and probable to change his Priesthood for a Kingdom.
[The King sends for one of his Priests.] At which time, whether
the King began to suspect or not, I cannot say; but he sent for one
of his Priests to be brought up to the Court. For this God had his
residence in the Countrey at Vealbow in Hotcourly, somewhat remote
from the King. This Priest having remained at the City some days,
the King took a Ring from off his Finger, and put it in an Ivory Box,
and sent it by three of his great Men to him, bidding him to enquire
of his nameless God what it was that was therein; which amazed this
Priest; but he returned this subtil answer, that he was not sent
to divine, but to heal the Diseases and help the Infirmities of the
People. Upon which the King gave Command to take him and put him in
the Stocks under a Tree, there to be wet with the Rain, and dry again
with the Sun. Which was executed upon him accordingly.
[Flies to Columba, pretends himself to be a former King's Son.] The
Chief Priest, who was the first Inventor of this new God, hearing what
the King had done, and fearing what might follow, suddenly dispatched,
and carried all what he had plundered out of the Pagods with him to
Columba, and stole one of the King's Elephants to carry it upon. Where
being arrived, he declares himself to be Son of the King of Mautoly;
who was elder Brother to this King that now is, and for fear of whom
he fled to Columba; being at that time when the Portugals had it,
who sent him to Goa, where he died.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account