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
[He scorns to receive his Revenues.] To give you an Instance or two
more of this Princes Spirit. At the time of New-year, all his Subjects,
high and low, do bring him certain Presents, or rather Taxes, each
one a certain rate; which formerly he used constantly to take, but of
late years, He so abounds with all things, continually putting into
his Treasury, and but seldom taking out, and that but little, that he
thinks scorn to receive these his due revenues, least his people should
think it were out of necessity and want. Nevertheless the Great Men
still at the New-year, bring their Presents day after day before the
King at his coming forth, hoping it will please him to accept them,
but now of many years he receives them not. His mind is so haughty,
that he scorns to seem to value any thing in the world. When tydings
are sometimes brought him, that the Dutch have made an Invasion into
his Countrey, although he be well able to expel them, he will not so
much as regard it.
[The Dutch serve their ends upon his Pride by flattering him.] The
Dutch knowing his Proud Spirit make their advantage of it, by
Flattering him with their Ambassadors, telling him that they are his
Majesties humble Subjects and Servants; and that it is out of their
Loyalty to him, that they build Forts, and keep Watches round about
his Countrey, to prevent Forraign Nations and Enemies from coming. And
that as they are thus imployed in his Majesties service, so it is for
sustenance, which they want, that occasioned their coming up into his
Majesties Countrey. And thus by Flattering him, and ascribing to him
High and Honourable Titles, which are things he greatly delights in,
some times they prevail to have the Countrey (they have invaded,) and
he to have the Honour. Yet at other times, upon better Consideration,
he will not be Flattered, but falls upon them at unawares, and does
them great damage.
[The people give away to the King's foul cloaths.] Such a Veneration
does he expect from the People, that whatsoever things are carrying
to him which are known by the white Cloath they are wrapt up in,
all persons meeting them turn out of the way: not excepting the Kings
foul Cloaths. For when they are carried to washing (which is daily)
all even the greatest rise up, as they come by, which is known by
being carried on an hand heaved upwards, covered with a Painted cloth.
[His natural abilities, and deceitful temper.] He is crafty, cautious,
a great dissembler, nor doth he want wisdom. He is not passionate
in his anger. For with whomsoever he be angry, he will not shew it:
neither is he rash or over-hasty in any matters, but doth all things
with deliberation, tho but with a little advise: asking Counsel of no
body but himself. He accounts it Wit and Policy to lie and dissemble,
that his intents and purposes may the better be concealed; but he
abhorreth and punisheth those that lie to him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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