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
[The fifth brings a Lion to the King as a Present.] The last
Embassador that came up while I was there, brought up a Lion:
which the Dutch thought would be the most acceptable Present that
they could send to the King, as indeed did all others. It was but a
Whelp. But the King did never receive it, supposing it not so famous
as he had heard by Report Lions were. This Man with his Lion was
brought up and kept in the County of Oudapollat, near Twenty Miles
from the King's Court. Where he remained about a year, in which
time the Lion died. The Embassador being weary of living thus like
a Prisoner with a Guard always upon him, often attempted to go back,
seeing the King would not permit him Audience. But the Guards would
not let him. Having divers times made disturbances in this manner
to get away home, the King commanded to bring him up into the City
to an House that was prepared for him, standing some distance from
the Court. Where having waited many days, and seeing no sign of
Audience, he resolved to make his Appearance before the King by
force, which he attempted to do, when the King was abroad taking his
Pleasure. The Soldiers of his Guard immediately ran, and acquainted
the Noblemen at Court of his coming, who delayed not to acquaint the
King thereof. Whereupon the King gave Order forthwith to meet him,
and where they met him, in that same place to stop him till further
order. And there they kept him, not letting him go either forward
or backward. In this manner and place he remained for three days,
till the King sent Order that he might return to his House whence he
came. This the King did to tame him. But afterwards he was pleased to
call him before him. And there he remained when I left the Countrey,
maintained with Plenty of Provisions at the King's charge.
[The number of Dutch there.] The number of Dutch now living there
may be about Fifty or Sixty. Some whereof are Ambassadors, some
Prisoners of War, some Runaways, and Malefactors that have escaped
the hand of Justice and got away from the Dutch Quarters. To all whom
are allotted respective allowances, but the Runaways have the least,
the King not loving such, tho giving them entertainment.
[They follow their Vice of Drinking.] The Dutch here love Drink, and
practise their proper Vice in this Countrey. One who was a great Man in
the Court, would sometimes come into the King's Presence half disguised
with Drink, which the King often past over; but once asked Him, Why do
you thus disorder yourself, that when I send for you about my Business,
you are not in a capacity to serve me? He boldly replied, That as soon
as his Mother took away her Milk from him, she supplied it with Wine,
and ever since, saith he, I have used myself to it. With this answer
the King seemed to be pleased. And indeed the rest of the white Men
are generally of the same temper: insomuch that the Chingulays have
a saying, That Wine is as natural to white Men, as Milk to Children.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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