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
[Flies from the Dutch.] This being noised abroad that he was a Prince,
made the People flock faster to him than before. Which changed both
his heart and behaviour from a Priest to a King. Insomuch that the
Dutch began to be in doubt what this might grow to. Who to prevent
the worst, set a watch over him: which he not liking of, took the
advantage of the night, and fled with all his Followers and Attendance
up to the King again, and came to the same place where he lay before.
[The King catches and quarters him.] No sooner had the King notice
of his arrival, but immediately he dispatched five of his greatest
Commanders with their Soldiers to catch him, and to bring him up
to him. Which they did, laying both him and all his followers in
Chains. The King commanded to keep him in a certain Pagoda of the
Chingulayes, until the matter were examined, the People in general much
lamenting him, tho not able to help. The chief of their Church-men,
viz. their Gonni-nancies, were all commanded to make their Personal
appearance at Court. Which all thought was to see the Prince or
Priest, should have a legal Trial. But in the mean time, the King
commanded to cut him in four quarters, and hang them in places,
which he appointed. Which was done.
[The Peoples opinion still of this new God.] Nevertheless the Vulgar
People to this day do honour and adore the name & memorial of the
nameless God. With which if he could have been content, and not have
gone about to usurp the Crown, the King so little regarding Religion,
he might have lived to dye a natural death.
[Their Doctrins and Opinions.] These people do firmly believe a
resurrection of the body, and the Immortality of Souls, and a future
State. Upon which account they will worship their Ancestors. They
do beleive that those they call Gods are the spirits of men that
formerly have lived upon the earth. They hold that in the other world,
those that are good men tho they be poor and mean in this world, yet
there they shall become high and eminent; and that wicked men shall be
turned into beasts. There is a Spider among them, that breeds an Egg,
which she carries under her belly, 'tis as wide as groat, and bigger
then the body of the Spider. This egg is full of young Spiders that
breed there: it hangs under her belly wheresoever she goes: and as
their young ones grow to bigness they eat up the old one. Now the
Chingulayes say, that disobedient children shall become Spiders in
the other world, and their young ones shall eat them up.
They hold that every mans good or bad Fortune was predetermined by
God, before he was born, according to an usual Proverb they have,
Ollua cottaula tiana, It is written in the head.
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