The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Dryden, John
History
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16
Dryden, John
English literature
As reasons of state prevail most with princes, so the Father represented
to this infidel, that his throne could never he established but by the
arms of the Portuguese; that, if he once contracted with them a strict
alliance, he had nothing farther to apprehend, either from his enemies or
his subjects. The barbarian, who feared all things, both from within and
from without, forgetting that Don Alphonso de Sosa would have made war
upon him in favour of the two baptized princes, hearkened to the
propositions of peace, and even permitted the Father to explain to him
the mysteries of the Christian faith. The instructions of the saint
wrought so much upon the tyrant, that being changed, in a very short
space of time, he promised to embrace the faith, and labour to bring his
subjects into it; offering for the pledge of his word, to put his kingdom
into the hands of the king of Portugal, and to pay him such tribute as
should be thought fitting, without any farther demand in his own behalf,
than of two things. The one was, that the governor of the Indies should
conclude a firm alliance with him, as he had clone with other Indian
kings, who had made themselves vassals to the crown of Portugal; the
other, that, in order to hinder those revolts and troubles which might
arise from the change of religion, he might have a company of Portuguese
soldiers, to be entertained at his own charges.
Father Xavier, well satisfied to have thus succeeded beyond his
expectations, set sail for Goa, with an ambassador of the infidel king,
and arrived there on March the 20th, in the year 1548. Understanding
there, that the viceroy Don John de Castro was at Bazain, towards the
gulph of Cambaya, he embarked anew, notwithstanding that the season was
improper for navigation; as judging that a business of such consequence
could not be too soon concluded, and that delays frequently ruined the
most hopeful affairs. Castro had never seen Xavier, but all he had heard
related of him, gave him an earnest longing to behold him. He received
him with all those honours which are due to a saint at the first meeting,
and willingly accepted what the king of Jafanatapan had offered, on the
conditions above mentioned; but he retained for some time the man of God,
both to hear him preach, and to consult him on some difficult affairs,
where the interests of state and those of religion were joined together.
In the mean time, he designed Antonio Monis Barreto, a man of authority,
and very brave, for the garrison of Jafanatapan, with an hundred
soldiers, well disciplined, and worthy of such an officer. At the same
time he ordered a magnificent entertainment for the ambassador, who
remained at Goa; and that if any of his train would receive baptism, no
cost should be spared at that solemnity. But the king of Jafanatapan
failed afterwards in fidelity, both to God and man; and in all
probability, it was that failure which drew the last misfortunes on his
person and his kingdom.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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