Storia do Mogor 338.6
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 338.6
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338.6.1
Imagining that by this coup he had entirely destroyed the Capuchins and brought them to the ground, and their mission along with them, he planned an attack upon those of Cuddalore. While we are talking of that place, we leave the wretched Capuchins of Madras to draw a little breath, a thing most necessary for them, for neither rest nor peace had been conceded to them at this time in the midst of such perilous attacks. The Reverend Father Paulo de Saa at Cuddalore, parish priest of the two churches there, was now cited to appear personally within three days at Pondicherry, subpcena suspensionis a divinis (et cetera). This poor priest found himself under the same disabilities and in the same condition as the wretched Capuchins of Madras. He was under an embargo from the gentlemen of the government, and was unable to quit Cuddalore. He feared an interdict much more than he did thunder and lightning. He fell into such grief and deep melancholy that he did nothing but weep day and night over his sad fate, for in such a terrible conflict he had no one to whom he could unbosom himself, none whom he could consult as to what should be done to deliver this Christian congregation from this great perturbation, and avert from himself the violent storm that he saw was about to discharge itself upon his head.
338.6.2
But Divine Providence is always nearest the afflicted when they have the most need. In the midst of all this affliction, and at the moment of this lamentable blow which had fallen upon the poor priest, it permitted the entry at his door of a charitable Theatine. He was a Portuguese by race, and called D. Simão da Costa. At sight of him, as we may suppose, some vigour returned, but Father Paulo was unable entirely to conceal his dejection. He was also stimulated by finding that the good priest did not fail to take notice of the circumstances in his hospice, for they were quite worthy of the deepest reflection in such a crisis as he was involved in. 'Priest of Divine Providence, Simão da Costa!' he exclaimed, as one in delirium. Owing to the bitter anxiety that consumed him, he repeated many times consecutively, 'Simão da Costa! Simão da Costa!' He assumed, no doubt, that he was another man of Cyrene come to relieve him of the cross of tribulations that he had to bear.
338.6.3
Nor was he deceived, as events will show, and the reader will be able to consider them [before he passes judgment]. I take upon myself to notify him thereof at the proper time. At present, not to lose our way, let us go on to recount [172] what passed between the poor priest and the loving Theatine. Seeing the other so sad, Simão was moved to compassion, and began to cheer up and console him in the best way he could. As a conclusion, after other words fitting for such an occasion, he told him he must have patience.
338.6.4
There can be no doubt that in all he said (let us give everyone his due) he spoke well; but the afflicted priest was not content with words of consolation only, and wanted some redress for his wrongs. He wanted some preservative against the thunder that threatened to fall on his head and consume his body. Seeing that the loving Theatine supplied him with none, his sorrow was redoubled, and his heart-bruises were greatly intensified, because, if so far the wretched priest had hit upon no comfort for himself, it is to be presumed, from his being to such an extent upset, that his thinking powers had fled. Ordinarily when a man is in trouble, if his dear ones desert him, his friends forsake him, those under obligations excuse themselves, his own wits equally abandon him; nor is he content, being unhappy, to have them restored easily. But, seeing that such a doctor [as the Theatine] was unable to prescribe, he was convinced that no other apothecary could prepare him anything.
338.6.5
Finding himself thus cast down, he resorted like a good Christian to the restorative of giving thanks to God, who ever encourages, alleviates, and consoles. But love, which is ingenious and always sympathetic, failed not to be of use on this occasion — one of the direst necessity. For if it did not take action earlier, it was not so much to see how best to kick the priest a little out of his nest, but rather to become more acceptable to him and more esteemed; for the discreet are aware that the greater the necessity the greater the value of a thing, it being then far more esteemed. As a prudent and charitable person, he must also look out for himself, for is it not there that a well-ordered charity begins? Thus love failed not to inspire the charitable Theatine with the remedy so anxiously desired by the disconsolate priest, being also the one most favourable to himself. He influenced him (Father de Saa), in addition to the grace of persuasion, by circumstances favourable to the physician. This was in case the patient should refuse to swallow the pill or potion, though in this instance it was not very necessary that the prescription should be so very discreetly worded. For from anxiety the wretched priest was so thirsty that if you presented to him the most poisonous drink in the most disgusting vessel, if it had only some similitude to a medicine, it would appear to him like the most delicious nectar contained in the most crystalline of cups. Nor is this to be wondered at;
338.6.6
when a man so anxiously demands a thing, any sort of appearance of it deceives and satisfies him. This, as the reader will see, happened here between this afflicted priest and the charitable Theatine. The latter opened his case in some such words as these: 'Reverend Father Paulo de Saa, I will not deceive your honour, and after having weighed the matter, I think your case a troublesome one and the remedy for it not an easy one to accept, though it is the only suitable one, and there is no other course. Believe me, my reverend father, for the love of God, it is thus only that Our Father may help you and deliver you from similar torments for the future.' 'How will he assist me?' replied the poor priest timorously. 'What may be this remedy, and what must be done to obtain it?' To this answered the sympathizing messenger: 'Give up one of the two churches to the Theatines, and I pledge you my word you shall be left in peace, saved from these embarrassments, made whiter than snow before the Lord Nuncio, and restored to his favour.' I forewarned the reader that I bargained he would see by what was promised whether the priest (de Saa) deceived himself in thinking that this visitor was a second man of Cyrene come to deliver him from the cross of tribulations he was then suffering from, for Father da Costa told him clearly that he wanted for himself one of the two churches.
338.6.7
But Father de Saa was not repelled, nor was there any reason for being so, for was it not love, moderate, well-arranged, better aimed, and still better concocted ? It seemed to the good Father Paulo de Saa that the Theatine who was speaking to him on this occasion was not a man, but an angel sent from on high (de cima). All the same, in making this assumption he did not altogether deceive himself; for, if I do not make a mistake, one's own land and the land adjoining are called in Portugal terras de cima. But what he knew for a certainty was that he came from below to his cost (costa) — I mean for his consolation. Thus, from being half dead, those words quite restored him to life. Strange remedy ! Noteworthy influence ! Wonderful force ! Who could have anticipated it ? Such a happy thought ! Such a great success on the part of the physician ! Such great good luck to the patient ! Such a wonderful recovery (God being the greater part in it) in the case of one who was almost at the point of death. Once more the storm was appeased, almost at the point when the roaring thunder and the gleaming lightning were ready to burst over him so fiercely that out of mere fright he would be consumed.
338.6.8
Rising from his seat, the poor priest took pen in hand, and forthwith wrote a letter to the Lord Nuncio, affirming that, so far as it depended on him, he resigned to the Theatines not one, but both the churches he administered ; and he counted himself happy if, by so doing [173], he was restored to the favour of his Excellency. This surrender was the effect of fear, and Father de Saa's action should not cause surprise.