History of the Kingdom of Siam and of the revolutions that have caused the overthrow of the empire, up to A.D. 1770 — John Shaqi
History of the Kingdom of Siam and of the revolutions that have caused the overthrow of the empire, up to A.D. 1770Turpin, F. H. (François Henri)
History
History of the Kingdom of Siam and of the revolutions that have caused the overthrow of the empire, up to A.D. 1770
Turpin, F. H. (François Henri)
Thailand -- Description and travel; Thailand -- History
Faulcon who formerly been an object of fear to him was singled out for
his first act of vengeance. As soon as the tyrant had him in is power,
he caused him to be led in triumph on the walls of the palace.
This favourite of fortune, now fallen into the deepest disgrace, was
cast into a filthy dungeon to which admission was refused to everyone.
Some say that the head of Monpit was fastened to his neck as a
punishment for his complicity. In addition the soles of his feet were
burnt, and his head was placed in a vice in order to make him
acknowledge crimes he had never committed. This man, formerly the
centre of an admiring throng was now guarded in a narrow prison by
barbarous gaolers who kept at a distance those who might have procured
some respite for him.
His wife however discovered the place of his confinement and she
obtained permission to supply him with a few necessaries.
The usurper, who still retained a trace of humanity had restored to
her son whom the soldiers had carried off; but this was only a passing
favour, the natural ferocity of the tyrant softened but for a moment.
She was suspected of having concealed immense wealth, and that was
quite sufficient cause for her to be treated as a criminal. Her
weapons, documents and even her clothes were taken away; a guard was
posted in front of her house and a sentry at the door of her room. The
brutal soldiers who watched all her actions caused her to complain
bitterly. "Well" she remarked "What have I done to be thus treated
like a felon." But ashamed of her weakness she rose superior to fear
and misfortune. She had need of all her fortitude and contempt for
earthly possessions. Two days afterwards an armed force seized the
furniture, money and jewels which the palace contained. Unmindful of
the loss of so much property she cried out. "At last God alone remains
for us and no one can take Him from us."
The insatiable spoilers suspected that she had hidden the bulk of her
wealth and their pitiless leader threatened her with death. He ordered
two executioners to come forward and at a signal, they struck her on
the arms without regard for the weakness of her sex. Her grandfather
and son witnessed her sufferings and showed their sympathy by cries
and tears. All the servants who had chosen to share their sorrows were
punished for showing their sympathetic attitude.
The wretched family knelt at the feet of the official, who, enraged at
not being able to find a new victim, ordered the executioners to
redouble their blows. "Alas" cried the wretched woman covered with
blood, "have mercy on me or at least take me away that my relations
see not my sufferings."
These words coming from a woman aged twenty-two years who was both
beautiful and of a noble disposition made not the slightest impression
on the official. He ordered her to be taken away together with her son
and her slaves and only set her grandfather free on account of his age
and infirmities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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