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 Passage of the Courage of the Men.] Now if you would have an account
of the Metal and Manfulness of these men, as you have already had a
tast of ours, take this passage. The Jack Fruit the Kings Officers
often gather wheresoever it grows, and give to the Kings Elephants,
and they may gather it in any mans grounds without the Owners leave,
being for the Kings use. Now these English men were appointed to dwell
in an house, that formerly belonged unto a Noble man, whom the King
had cut off, and seized upon it. In the ground belonging to this
House stood a Jack Tree full of Fruit. Some of the Kings men came
thither to gather some of them to feed the Elephants. But altho the
English had free liberty to gather what they could eat or desire,
yet they would permit none but themselves to meddle with them, but
took the Officers by the shoulders and turned them out of the Garden,
altho there were more a great many than they could tell what to do
with. The Great men were so Civil, that notwithstanding this Affront,
they laid no Punishment upon them. But the Event of this was, that a
few days after they were removed from this house to another, where
was a Garden but no Trees in it. And because they would not allow
the King a few, they lost all themselves.
[Two of his Company taken into Court.] I mentioned before two Lads
of this Company, whom the King chose out for his own service, their
Names were Hugh Smart and Henry Man. These being taken into his Court,
obtained great Favour and Honour from him, as to be always in his
presence, and very often he would kindly and familiarly talk with
them concerning their Country, what it afforded; and of their King
and his Strength for War. Thus they lived in his Favour for some time.
[The one out of Favour, his end.] Till at length Hugh Smart, having
a desire to hear news concerning England, privatly got to the Speech
of a Dutch Embassadour. Of which the King had notice, but would not
believe it, supposing the information was given him out of Envy to
his Favorite, but commanded privately to watch him, and if he went
again, to catch him there. Which he not being aware of, went again,
and was catched. At which the King was very angry. For he allows none
to come to the speech of Ambassodours, much less one that served in
his presence, and heard and saw all that passed in Court. But yet
the King dealt very favourably with him. For had it been a Chingulay,
there is nothing more sure than that he should have dyed for it. But
this English mans Punishment was only to be sent away and kept a
Prisoner in the Mountains without Chains, and ordered him to be well
used there. Where indeed he lived better content than in the Kings
Palace. He took a Wife here and had one Son by her, and afterwards
dyed by a mischance, which was thus. As he was gathering a Jack from
the Tree by a Crock, it fell down upon his side, and bruised him so
that it killed him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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