The Commentary of Father Monserrate 2.2.2

2.2.2

The Fathers were compelled to stop at Surat for almost a month. For the ambassador was unwilling to begin his journey before the moon should have reached a favourable state. It is the custom of the Musalmans to take the auspices before they start upon any undertaking, and for this purpose to observe whether the moon shows herself to the sun after his rising. If she does so, they regard her as in an auspicious state. However this delay was neither useless nor unoccupied. For while the Musalmans rested idly, the Fathers applied themselves with diligence to the study of the Persian language. Very many visitors came to their lodgings to call upon them, inspired by curiosity and by the desire of seeing men of strange aspect, dress, speech and religion, who had been summoned on account of their reputation for wisdom and piety, to his court by that King whom they thought most powerful of all. The Fathers showed these visitors pictures of Jesus Christ and of the Virgin Mary, by which they were so much impressed that they not only kissed them devoutly, but placed them reverently upon their heads. So true is it that all men naturally regard as worthy of reverence that which is truly excellent, although many are frequently deceived in their judgment of excellence, or through obstinacy and prejudice rashly and insolently refuse to honour and worship it.