Storia do Mogor 281.10.4

281.10.4

Not very long afterwards there was an alarming earthquake, by which the great nobles were impelled once more to solicit fresh orders on the subject. With this idea they asked for an audience. When it was granted, they represented to the monarch that Nature, affected at the oppression of his people, gave by this movement a token of its resentment. 'Ah!' said the king, laughing at their talk, 'is it possible that you have so little wit as to take up things in a contrary sense? It is true that the earth lately trembled, but it is the result of the joy it felt at the course I am adopting. All nature shows marks of this feeling. The skies are darkened, they are covered with clouds, and weep tears of gladness, pouring out their waters upon the earth. In its turn the earth is in no sense ungrateful for these benefits from on high; for, after giving us such startling proof of her extraordinary gratitude by the effort she has recently made, she wishes further to make clear to us that in her heart is joy over our actions. This it is which compels her to be fertile, and give us abundant harvest of fruit and grain. Animals, too, are conscious of my exertions; so much the more that it is from the fertility of the earth that they receive their meat. The birds of the air exult at it in their flight and in their warbling. The horse neighs by reason of it, since he finds wherewithal to appease his hunger.'