An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

[The King sends for one of his Priests.] At which time, whether the King began to suspect or not, I cannot say; but he sent for one of his Priests to be brought up to the Court.  For this God had his residence in the Countrey at Vealbow in Hotcourly, somewhat remote from the King.  This Priest having remained at the City some days, the King took a Ring from off his Finger, and put it in an Ivory Box, and sent it by three of his great Men to him, bidding him to enquire of his nameless God what it was that was therein; which amazed this Priest; but he returned this subtil answer, that he was not sent to divine, but to heal the Diseases and help the Infirmities of the People.  Upon which the King gave Command to take him and put him in the Stocks under a Tree, there to be wet with the Rain, and dry again with the Sun.  Which was executed upon him accordingly.

[Flies to Columba, pretends himself to be a former King’s Son.] The Chief Priest, who was the first Inventor of this new God, hearing what the King had done, and fearing what might follow, suddenly dispatched, and carried all what he had plundered out of the Pagods with him to Columba, and stole one of the King’s Elephants to carry it upon.  Where being arrived, he declares himself to be Son of the King of Mautoly; who was elder Brother to this King that now is, and for fear of whom he fled to Columba; being at that time when the Portugals had it, who sent him to Goa, where he died.

[Flies from the Dutch.] This being noised abroad that he was a Prince, made the People flock faster to him than before.  Which changed both his heart and behaviour from a Priest to a King.  Insomuch that the Dutch began to be in doubt what this might grow to.  Who to prevent the worst, set a watch over him:  which he not liking of, took the advantage of the night, and fled with all his Followers and Attendance up to the King again, and came to the same place where he lay before.

[The King catches and quarters him.] No sooner had the King notice of his arrival, but immediately he dispatched five of his greatest Commanders with their Soldiers to catch him, and to bring him up to him.  Which they did, laying both him and all his followers in Chains.  The King commanded to keep him in a certain Pagoda of the Chingulayes, until the matter were examined, the People in general much lamenting him, tho not able to help.  The chief of their Church-men, viz. their Gonni-nancies, were all commanded to make their Personal appearance at Court.  Which all thought was to see the Prince or Priest, should have a legal Trial.  But in the mean time, the King commanded to cut him in four quarters, and hang them in places, which he appointed.  Which was done.

[The Peoples opinion still of this new God.] Nevertheless the Vulgar People to this day do honour and adore the name & memorial of the nameless God.  With which if he could have been content, and not have gone about to usurp the Crown, the King so little regarding Religion, he might have lived to dye a natural death.

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An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.