_From _Delyn_ he sailed to _Zeyloon_; with what he there
observed._
The Isle of _Zeyloon_ is very famous, and not far distant from the Point
of _India_, called _Cape Comrein_; it abounds with all sorts of
odoriferous and Aromatical Spices; the people are Pagans, not owning a
Deity; some though have heard of Christ, and others of _Mahomet_, but
such are rarely to be found. They go naked, not compelled thereunto by
want or poverty, but meer heat of the Sun. They are great Idolaters,
worshipping things in monstrous shapes. On the top of a high Mountain,
they have set conspicuously the Idæa of an horrible _Caco-dæmon_, unto
which Pilgrims from remote parts do resort; and upon this account, a
King of _Zeyloon_ coming, once derided this Idol: another time,
intending to make a second repetition of his former derision, the King
was even frighted out of his wits; for not only he, but his attendants
all saw how this _Dæmon_ threatned him for so doing, by shaking a
flaming Cymeter, and rowling his fiery eyes: from his mouth gaping,
issued out fiery flames; whereat this King returns with as much
penitence as amazement, resolving by his due respect and worship for the
time to come, to make an atonement for his former errors. For my part,
had I not believed there was a Devil, the sight of this horrid monstrous
representation would have induc’d me into the belief that this was one
really. They have in another place a Chappel, in which they adore the
Devil (whom they call _Deumo_) the height whereof is about three yards,
and uncovered: the wooden entrance is engraven with hellish shapes;
within, their beloved Devil or _Deumo_ is enthronized on a brazen Mount:
From his head issue four great horns, his eyes of an indifferent
proportionable bigness, having somewhat a larger circumference than two
sawcers; his nose flat; a mouth like a portcullice, beautified with four
tusks, like Elephants teeth; his hands like claws, and his feet not
unlike a Monkeys; beside him stand lesser _Deumo_’s attending on this
grand _Pagod_, some whereof are represented or pictured devouring souls.
Every morning the Priest washeth them, not departing till he hath craved
their malediction; and when he takes his leave, he is very careful of
offending the Devil by shewing his posteriors, and therefore goes from
him retrograde, stedfastly fixing his eyes on the Idol. ’Tis strange
that a rational soul should be so much infatuated, as to adore such a
monstrous and ridiculous thing. The people in way of mutual love and
amity, use to exchange their wives; a thing, though much hated by the
jealous _Spaniard_, yet would be very acceptable to other _Europæans_,
or else to be rid of them altogether, who are the daily murderers of
their content and quiet. Polygamy, or plurality of Wives is here
permitted; and as the men are granted the liberty to have more than one
wife, so are the women allowed more than one husband. However, the woman
hath the disposal left her of her children, giving them to him she hath
the greatest affection for; which he receives, not questioning his
interest or right (by generation) unto the infant.
_Elsewhere the Fates decreed a Cuckold’s lot,
To keep that child another man begot;
And by his joy therein he plainly shows,
He thanks the man that pay’d those debts he owes:
But these _She-Blacks_ in justice thought it fit,
That he which got the child, likewise keep it:
Therefore both love and custom made it so,
On the true Father they the child bestow:
By which good Law unto each man ’tis known,
That he doth keep no other child but’s own.
Were this observ’d in _England_, I durst swear,
Some _what-d’ye-lacks_ would Heirs to Lords appear;
And half of what some own, must be conferr’d
On such who have a Fathers name deserv’d.
These _Blacks_ do tax our women, for they paint
The Devil white, and make him seem a Saint;
To let them know, they are far greater evils;
For fairest females oft are foulest Devils._
We stayed not long here, but having dispatcht what we came for, we
sailed along the coast of _Choromandel_, and landed at Meliapor. The
people are much after the same complexion of those of _Delyn_, only a
little more duskie, and go in a manner naked, too. Here are likewise
great store of _Bramins_, who are very busie and industrious to instruct
these poor ignorant souls in the perfect way to damnation; for which
they have the honour and estimation of all conferred upon them. We man’d
out our long-boat and went ashore; upon our landing, it was our hap to
be eye-witnesses of one of their Funerals, which was performed after
this manner. The husband was carried before the combustible Pile; his
most dearly loving wife closely following after, attended by her Parents
& children; musick (such as they have, which I cannot compare to that of
the Spheres) playing before, behind, and on each side of her. She was
drest both neatly & sumptuously, to the height of the rudeness of their
art; her head, neck, and arms (not omitting her nose, legs, & toes) each
bedeckt and charged with Bracelets of silver, with jewels every where
about her distributed: She carried flowers in her hands, which she
disposed of to those the met. The Priests going backwards before her,
shewed her a magical glass, which represented to her sight whatever
might be pleasing to her sensual appetite. The _Bramin_ all along
inculcating to her thoughts, the sense-ravishing and affable joys she
shall possess after her decease; at which this poor deluded soul smiled,
and seemed to be much transported. We followed them till they came to
the fire, which was made of sweet odoriferous wood. As soon as her dead
husband was committed to the flames, she voluntarily leapt in after him,
incorporating her self with the fire and his ashes: we wondred that the
standers-by would permit her thus to destroy her self, imagining this
rash action proceeded from the ardency of her affection; but perceiving
her friends to throw in after her, jewels and many precious things, with
much exultation and expressions of joy, we concluded this to be the
effects of custom. Such as refuse to burn in this manner, are
immediately shaven, & are hourly in danger to be murdered by their own
issue or kindred, looking upon them as strumpets: and indeed many of
them are so audaciously impudent, that upon the least distaste, or not
having their luxurious expectations answered, nothing more intended or
indeavoured than the lives of their husbands. They are in these parts so
extreamly idolatrous, and so over-swayed by the Devil, that they adore a
great Idol made of Copper gilded, whose statue is carried up and down,
mounted on a glorious Charriot, with eight very large wheels overlayed
with gold; the ascent or steps to the charriot are very large &
capacious, on which sit the Priests, attended by little young girles,
who for devotion sake, prostitute themselves freely to the heat of any
libidinous spectator; for so doing, they are intitled the _Pagodes_
children: A very strange zeal in their bewitched or besotted Parents, to
destinate the off-spring of their bodies, from their non-age, to such an
abominable liberty; for by letting them know the use of Man so soon, it
cannot but be very prejudicial to their bodies, but also invest them
with the thoughts of perpetual whoring: For, that woman that shall admit
of more than one to her private imbraces, will admit of any upon the
like account. Nay, such is their blind zeal and superstition, that as
the Charriot passeth, some will voluntarily throw themselves under the
wheels, who are crusht in pieces by the weight of the Idol and its
attendants, suffering death without the benefit of a happy (but to them
unhappy) Martyrdom.