Storia do Mogor 354.1.1

354.1.1

attended at the church. They found the Jesuit father Mansilha in the pulpit. He preached in three languages — that is, Chinese, of which nation there are many in that country ; Tagalla, the vernacular of the place ; and Spanish. When he was at the end of his sermon, they set up a sound of drums and trumpets. In a short while there appeared close to the high altar a masked black man wearing white gloves and carrying a heavy cross upon his shoulder. Round his neck was a thick rope, and he came forward step by step very slowly, followed by twelve masked black men holding spears and swords. As the man carrying the cross was about to mount the altar-steps he was so held back that he could not advance another footstep. It was the others following him who had put their feet upon the rope, which was dragging on the ground [98]. This stoppage gave rise among those low fellows to some disputing. Then those who took the parts of the Hebrews laughed at the Christ. He fell into a rage, and turned towards them, and gave them a lot of abuse. This abuse they returned ; from words they came to blows, and interchanged shoe-beatings. On seeing this outbreak, the father scrambled down from the pulpit as quick as he could, and with a rattan administered several blows to the Christ and the Hebrews, rushing after them in all directions. Thus ended the Passion. The principal persons present, chiefly foreigners, were unable to maintain their gravity, and gave a loud laugh.