Storia do Mogor 338.21
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 338.21
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338.21.1
But I was not astonished, for I know them. Let me do no more than remark that there was a friar, both theologian and philosopher, a man of great learning, very pleasant of speech, who professed himself my great friend. On the day after the above outburst I met him. After talking together for some time, he fell into thought, threw his eyes up to heaven, stamped on the ground with one foot, and said: 'If it be true that King Dom Sebastian has appeared, there can be no other true religion in the world than that of Jesus Christ!' Thereupon I was troubled at hearing such talk and withdrew, never again caring for intercourse with such a fellow.
338.21.2
Meanwhile, until I have further occasion to speak of King Aurangzeb, let me relate some things that happened to those who feign to be virtuous and holy, yet, moved by self-interest, deceive the rest of the world through their pretences. In addition to what I have said of the false holy men found in the Mogul country, I met in Bengal with the case of a married trader. His wife, finding her husband would not trust his money into her hands, pretended to be devout, wore nothing [213] The judicious King of Bījāpur, Sultān Muhammad 'Ādil Shāh, as will have been seen earlier (III. 218), managed once by his cleverness to recover a precious stone out of the hands of the Jesuits. In his reign there was a Portuguese who showed much zeal for the Mahomedan religion, hoping thereby to obtain a certain woman of that faith. To secure his desires he had recourse to his Majesty in person, saying he wished to become a Mahomedan. To find out by experiment whether this proceeded from any interested motive or was said in good [214] faith, the king ordered a pot to be opened, and directed the man to extract the contents. When he placed his hand inside, there suddenly darted out a fierce cobra. In terror he gave a jump, and exclaimed, 'Jesus, my Mediator!' By this means the king discovered that he was moved by interest, not by faith, and turned him out of the city.
338.21.3
When the sixth King of Gulkandah, Sultān 'Abdullah Qutb Shāh, was on the throne [1611-72], he had serving in his artillery men of four European nations. As these great rulers delight in acquainting themselves with persons' characters through the actions they perform, he tried an experiment. He sent word for the slaughter of a stag, and it was divided into joints. He then ordered the distribution of the pieces, one to each nation. The Englishman, without waiting until they handed it to him, laid hold on the biggest piece there was, and carried it off. From this the king said this nation loves to take things at its own risk. The Dutchman held out a hand humbly, and accepted the share offered to him. From this it was inferred that this nation is one of merchants who through their humility have become rich. The Portuguese refused his portion, telling his servant he might take it. At this the king said that this nation was over-proud, and would rather die of hunger than abandon its dignity. The Frenchman, without waiting for orders, laid hold of his sword, stuck it into two pieces, and throwing out his chest, marched off. Judging from this, the king said this nation was a valorous one, most generous, and fond of good living. He ordered the Frenchman to be appointed the captain over his artillery.
338.21.4
Whatever remained over of the venison he ordered to be divided among his suite. These men, with the greatest respect and homage, took each a piece, making demonstrations as if they thought it a holy relic, and saying, 'May God increase the days and the wealth of his Majesty.' Of them he said: 'These people are flatterers [215] and hypocrites, saying pleasant things to me in my presence.' I speak once more of the Jesuits, and with this I make an end. I will relate what they laid claim to and asked me to do in certain matters, where I would not act for them, it not suiting me to offend the princes without benefiting them (the Jesuits). Discovering that I did not accord them their desires, they set to work to ruin me entirely. Finding I was not in a position where they could satisfy their unreasoning passion, they wrote to their friends some letters containing remarks about my personality. This caused surprise, but their arts did not prevail. The careful rulers in the government examined into it, and recognised my innocence. Thus were their intentions frustrated. In spite of this triumph, I cannot live in peace, for, as the proverb says, 'He who has enemies never sleeps.' I know not if my vigilance will protect me.
338.21.5
I do not entertain a doubt that the judicious reader will, without fail, ponder the nature of my words about these and other similar individuals, uttered with all the freedom to which my conscience constrains me. I dwelt many years at the court of the Mogul Emperor, and often had disputes with one or other of the nobles or men learned in the Mahomedan law, discussions to which they had themselves invited me. I have now said farewell to all interests in this world, but am still a lover of my holy Roman faith, and willing to give my life for it, though it has not happened as I desired — namely, that I should be allowed to yield my life a sacrifice. But though I was not granted that privilege, I have ever remained a friend of truthful speaking [216]. Thus, as I am aware that I cannot live many years, I leave a reminder to those who rule over these individuals in order that they may redress the evils if they so desire. To do this will be of profit for the million, and adversaries of our holy religion will then have nothing to bring up against us. Those who are involved in the affairs of this world are obliged to dissemble, and thus fail to do what God ordains. As I have seen, such persons are wedded to their own interests, disregard all murmurings, and mislead the world by deceit, paying no heed to the evil and scandal that they leave behind.
338.21.6
I can give as an example the King Jahãngīr, who, though a Mahomedan, yet showed spontaneously that he was not entirely engrossed by the world. For in this direction he always showed affliction at finding himself entangled in those cares of government which so many long to undertake. I spoke of this king in my First Part (I. 100-118). One day he was passing through Lāhor city when he saw a number of little children playing in the street. He descended from his elephant, sat himself down on the ground in their midst, and distributed sweets, flowers, clothes, gold and silver coin. After embracing and kissing them, he said tearfully: 'Better were it for me to die or to be a little one like you, not to be as I am to-day, with my conscience entangled in the affairs of this weary world.' At these words he took his departure with a salutation, the tears streaming from his eyes. From these and other like acts the people judged that this king feared God, and desired to live without causing harm to his vassals.
338.21.7
[217] Before this time the inquiring reader will have seen my four volumes, and learnt the hope in which I sent them. It is impossible for the inquiring reader to avoid remarking on the variety and inequality to be seen in the said work. The reason was that time permitted nothing else; I went on writing in the order that things happened. I continued thus, and the inquiring reader must be content to accept that work as it is. If God gives me longer life I shall go on with a fifth volume. I am already sixty-eight years of age, and am in fear that my labours will come to an end without ever appearing before the world; and this fear was my reason for sending the volumes off. In addition, I am aware that Death gives warning to no one, nor waits for the affairs of those who have anything left unfinished, but takes a man quite against his will. Therefore, foreseeing that this must happen to me, I leave not my writings under the control of attorneys, being warned by the experience that I have had. I have seen a great number of such executors disregard the orders of the testator. Thus what I can finish in my lifetime I decline to abandon to the pleasure of such people. For this reason I send the manuscript by this opportunity. Subsequently we will discuss the end, which must soon arrive, to the reign and the life of the present king, Aurangzeb, who is already eighty-nine years of age; and I will take measures to have this conclusion sent off.