The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Dryden, John
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The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16
Dryden, John
English literature
miseries and ignominy of life, is it not a sign, that he has neither
kindness nor value for them?"
Xavier denied the consequence of that proposition; and argued both from
the principles of morality, which look on riches as false goods, and out
of the grounds of Christianity, which, in respect of salvation, count
them true evils. He reasoned thereupon so justly, and withal so clearly,
that his adversaries were forced to give up the cause, according to the
relation of the Portuguese, who were witness of it. After this they
advanced such extravagant and mad propositions, that they cost the Father
no trouble to confute, for they destroyed themselves. But the most
pleasant part of this day's work was, that the seven Bonzas not being
able to agree on some points of doctrine, fell foul on each other, and
wrangled with so much heat and violence, that at last they came to
downright railing, and had proceeded to blows, if the king had not
interposed his authority, which frightened them into quiet. This was the
end of that day's disputation; and nothing more confirmed the minds of
the auditors on the side of Xavier, than to see his adversaries at civil
wars amongst themselves.
The king going out of his palace the next morning, with a great
attendance, to walk in the town, according to his custom, and passing by
the house where the Portuguese lodged, sent a message to the holy man,
desiring him to come to his gardens, where he would show him sport,
provided he came well armed, for he was to kill, with one blow, two
kites or puttocks, at the least, out of those seven which yesterday
endeavoured to have pulled out his eyes Xavier, who easily understood his
meaning, came out to pay him his respects, and to acknowledge the honour
which was done him. The king took him by the hand, and led him to the
palace amidst the acclamations of the people. The seven Bonzas,
represented by the seven kites, were already in the hall, with a
confirmed impudence, and so much the more haughty, as they had the less
reason so to be; according to the usual character of vain and
self-opinioned men.
The first step they made in order to a new dispute, was to enter a
protestation, in writing, against the judgment and proceedings of the
former day; wherein they declared void the sentence of the umpires,
appealed from them, and set forth new objections and difficulties upon
the questions formerly debated. The king answered himself, that those
points which had been decided had no need of any farther explanation, and
that they were already tied up by the conditions of the conference, which
both parties had accepted. He added, that Father Xavier was ready to go
on ship-board, and that it was not reasonable to lose time by fruitless
repetitions, but if they had any new questions to propose, let them
begin, and they should be heard; if not, they had free licence to depart.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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