The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c24.62

v1.c24.62

6. De Nobili himself, in a letter to Cardinal Bellarmino, dated Madura, December Ist, 1607, describes confidently his ordinary life in his new settlement. “I now dwell”, he says, “in a mud-house covered with straw, which is to me more useful and gives me more satisfaction than a rich palace. I hold it to be most certain that there is no consolation comparable to that enjoyed by one living in this voluntary sort of exile for the love of God, and toiling much for His sake. Nevertheless at times the labour I have undertaken becomes wearisome to me; and when the thought rushes on me, that I shall have to continue amidst such toil and fatigue all my lifelong, I begin to be apprehensive that I shall not be able to persevere to the end. But when I turn my thought from this to heaven, I am reminded of what Your Excellency used to say, explaining those words of King David: ‘Qui posuit fines tuos pacem’. I feel that my fear has vanished, and I am consoled at the thought that, since such peace and repose await us in the end, a longing for rest here on earth is simply unreasonable.