Miserable1 indeed appeared the chance of conversion2; and after a fierce struggle of thirty years, there remained not one priest of the Romish faith to administer the sacraments to the numerous European settlers and descendants in the country. Even the Jesuits themselves lost heart for the time; but the zeal3 of Philip the Second stirred the dying embers, and fresh candidates for strife4, honour, and martyrdom, were soon in the field.
Peter Pero Pays and Antonio de Montzerado, disguised as Armenian merchants, first attempted the perilous6 undertaking7; but being wrecked8 upon the Arabian coast, they were recognised as Christian9 ministers, and languished10 during seven years in a Moslem11 dungeon12.
Goa next poured forth13 her priests to the ineffectual contest. In seeking the promised land, Abraham de Georgis was discovered in Turkish garb14 on the island of Massowah, and the governor swore by the holy Prophet, that, since the káfir had donned the attire15 of the true believer, he should also adopt the tenets of the true faith, or die the death of a dog. But the Jesuit clung to his creed16, and suffered accordingly; and, shortly afterwards, Jean Baptiste being detected in assumed costume, by the Turks of Comera, he also shared the same fate as his immediate17 predecessor18, in the thorny19 path of martyrdom.
Thus even the road itself seemed to close, and all intercourse20 was denied with a country wherein the presence of Europeans was neither desired nor permitted; and which would have been suffered to remain unmolested, had not exaggerated ideas of its wealth still pervaded21 the imagination of all classes throughout the western world.
Don Alexis de Menezez, the zealous22 Archbishop of Goa, who had already with fire and sword propagated Christianity throughout Malabar, now entered the lists, and his sagacious and discerning mind selected the vicar of Saint Anne as a fit tool for the execution of his project. Melchior Sylva, a converted Brahmin, might, from his colour and language, pass through the Turkish wicket. His zeal was great as that of his superior, and the valuable presents whereof he was made the bearer, might prove a bait sufficiently23 tempting24 to lure25 the simple Abyssinian into a fresh connexion.
The intelligence of his safe arrival, and of the gracious reception of the presents, again roused the ardent26 spirit of the order of Jesus; and Peter Pays was quickly ransomed27 from the Arabs, and despatched with a full train of priests to Ethiopia, where he arrived in September of the year 1603.
Superior in every respect to his predecessors28, this missionary29, instead of attempting to carry his measures by force and overbearing insolence30, sought the softer path of insinuation; and whilst his extensive knowledge and plausible31 address proved strong recommendations in his favour, many circumstances also conspired32 to forward his views. The country was in a most unsettled state, and the assistance of a few Portuguese33 troops could turn the scale of war. The condition of the church was low and miserable. Eighty years of incessant34 strife and distraction35 had crushed the very name of learning and literature. Few persons were to be found who could read, write, or dispute. Ignorant and unworthy men filled every sacred office; and the ancient defenders36 of the Alexandrian faith had been swept away on the battlefield.
Amidst wars, and rumours37 of wars, Peter quietly settled with his followers38 at Maiguagua. Schools were opened, and the wonder ran through the land, that youths of tender age could refute the most learned sages39 of the wilderness40 of Walkayet. The curiosity of Za Dengel, the temporary occupant of the throne, was excited, and Peter, with his erudite pupils, was summoned to the court.
Prompted by the hope of obtaining assistance from Portugal, this weak prince, under an oath of secrecy41, immediately embraced the religion of his guest. But his time was fully42 occupied in the more worldly object of strengthening himself upon a throne to which he had been elevated by his evil genius; and the falling away from the faith of his forefathers43 being at length whispered abroad, a rebellion was the consequence.
The approaching storm having been perceived by the monk44, he withdrew from court before the burst of a revolution, which for some time crushed his every hope of success. The Emperor was slain45. New aspirants46 strove for the ascendency; and war reigned47 for a season throughout the entire land.
Confident in the near approach of Portuguese troops, which had been requested when Sylva carried to India the tidings of the first conversion, Peter now resolved upon the bold game of espousing48 the weaker party, and thus gaining a firmer hold in event of success. The expected reinforcements did not, however, arrive in time; and the defeat and death of his protégé was followed by the advancement49 of the pretender Susneus to the throne of the empire.
Notwithstanding his appearance as a declared partisan50 in the opposing ranks, Peter’s abilities as an architect now created a fresh diversion in his favour. The novel idea of a two-storied edifice51 engrossed52 the thoughts of the reigning53 king; and men flocked from the remotest parts of the country to gaze upon a fabric54 of stone, which was considered to be one of the wonders of the world. A missionary possessing the varied55 abilities and acquirements of Pays could not be long in gaining ascendency over a rude and illiterate56 monarch57; and by address and perseverance58 he had soon effected that which the threats and violence of his predecessors had vainly attempted during a long course of years.
Ras Sela Christos, brother to the Emperor, was the first-fruit of the harvest. Partaking of the holy supper with the Latins, he publicly embraced their religion, and many chiefs and nobles followed his illustrious example. Crowded assemblies were held, in which the eloquence59 of the Jesuits entirely60 bore down the feeble efforts of the ignorant and uncultivated natives. The holiness of life which was strictly61 preserved among the neophytes and proselytes of the Catholics, added to the impression entertained of their wisdom; and the introduction of useful arts, raised the glory of the fathers still higher in the land; and the prospect62 of the aid of disciplined soldiers from the West overturned the last remaining scruple63 in the mind of the monarch.
An edict was published interdicting64 all persons from holding office who were not well inclined towards the Latin religion; and severe punishments were threatened for the promulgation65 of ancient doctrines66. Assistance was solicited68 from Rome and Lisbon; and the work of European persecution69 favourably70 commenced, by scourging71 with whips all those stubborn monks72 who refused to forego their ancient belief.
Abba Simeon, the Abuna, repaired to the court to remonstrate73 with the Emperor on the scandalous interference with his prerogatives74 in convening75 meetings and authorising debates upon ecclesiastical matters; but his pride was timely soothed76 by the royal assurance that all had been undertaken for the benefit of true religion, and that the subject should be fully discussed in his own presence. Again the subtilties and dialectics of the missionaries77 prevailed; and the total defeat of the Patriarch and his clergy78 was followed by a second more severe ordinance79, awarding the penalty of death to all who should henceforth deny the two natures of Christ.
Wonderful was the sensation created by this severe edict, so diametrically at variance80 with the mild spirit of religion, and with all the ancient usages of the land. Aware of the feelings of the strong party at court, as well as of the entire body of the people, the Abuna placarded on the doors of the chapels81 an excommunication of all who should accept the religion of the Franks; and the monarch, irritated by this resistance, published a manifesto82, “That his subjects should forthwith embrace the Catholic faith.”
This served as the signal-trumpet for the fight. All classes armed themselves in defence of their religion; and Aelius, the king’s son-in-law, placed himself at the head of the malcontents in Tigré.
Not yet thoroughly83 prepared for the struggle, the Emperor found it convenient for a time to temporise, and requested one further debate, which was to prove final between the disputants. The mild Abuna listened to the proposal, and accompanied by a large train of monks appeared in the royal camp, whilst the Jesuit and his colleagues advanced into the arena84 from the opposite side. The controversy85 was renewed, and raged fiercely for six days; but disputes in religion are seldom adjusted by the reasoning of the doctors, and the parties withdrew mutually incensed87 against each other.
One further effort was made to restore the disturbed harmony. The Empress Hamilmála, and many of the courtiers, with tears implored88 the king to desist from his undertaking; and the patriarch and the clergy, throwing themselves prostrate89 on the earth, embraced his knees, and entreated90 him to turn a deaf ear to the poisonous insinuations of the deceitful Jesuits, and graciously to allow his subjects to remain faithful to the religion of their forefathers. But the heart of the monarch remained closed to the prayer. The Abuna quitted the court, plunged91 in the deepest distress92, and a bloody93 war ensued, which shook the empire to its foundation.
When Aelius fully understood the last resolution taken by his father-in-law, to defend the Catholics and their religion, he publicly appealed to the people of Tigré, and proclaimed that all who were disposed to embrace the Jesuitical faith might repair to the deluded94 Emperor, whilst those who held to the ancient belief should forthwith gather under his standard. Finding himself shortly afterwards at the head of a large army, he marched towards the royal camp, resolved to establish the received doctrine67 of the land, or to perish in the attempt.
Abba Simeon, who had attained95 the venerable age of one hundred years, joined the army of the defenders of the Alexandrian faith; and in giving them his patriarchal blessing96, assured the soldiery that all who should fall in the combat died the death of the martyr5, and would receive the reward in heaven. The desired effect was produced, and the hearts of the entire force burned with one eager zeal to meet the accursed enemies of their religion.
On the appearance of the inflamed97 force a reconciliation98 was attempted, and the daughter of the Emperor was made the bearer of terms to her rebel lord. Her tears and entreaties99 were, however, totally disregarded. The impetuous youth prepared for instant attack; and the princess had barely time to regain100 her father’s tent, when hostilities101 were commenced.
The soldiers of the viceroy rushed furiously upon the royal encampment, and Aelius succeeded in forcing his way, at the head of a small body of troops, to the very pavilion of his father-in-law. But he was here struck from his horse by a stone, and stabbed upon the ground. A panic seized the army of the fallen leader, and the rabble102, casting away their arms, fled in all directions.
The aged86 Abuna found himself alone and deserted103 in the same spot which he had occupied during the attack. His years and high clerical bearing disarmed104 the violence of the Abyssinian soldiery; but a Portuguese partisan at length threw himself upon the patriarch, and, regardless of his white and venerable hairs, transfixed him with a spear. A frightful105 massacre106 ensued; and the heads of the principal leaders of the unsuccessful rebellion were exposed on the gates of the capital as a bloody warning to the seditious.
点击收听单词发音
1 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 conversion | |
n.转化,转换,转变 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 zeal | |
n.热心,热情,热忱 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 strife | |
n.争吵,冲突,倾轧,竞争 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 martyr | |
n.烈士,殉难者;vt.杀害,折磨,牺牲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 perilous | |
adj.危险的,冒险的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 undertaking | |
n.保证,许诺,事业 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 wrecked | |
adj.失事的,遇难的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 languished | |
长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 ); 受折磨; 变得(越来越)衰弱; 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 Moslem | |
n.回教徒,穆罕默德信徒;adj.回教徒的,回教的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 dungeon | |
n.地牢,土牢 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 garb | |
n.服装,装束 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 attire | |
v.穿衣,装扮[同]array;n.衣着;盛装 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 creed | |
n.信条;信念,纲领 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 predecessor | |
n.前辈,前任 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 thorny | |
adj.多刺的,棘手的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 intercourse | |
n.性交;交流,交往,交际 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 pervaded | |
v.遍及,弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 zealous | |
adj.狂热的,热心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 tempting | |
a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 lure | |
n.吸引人的东西,诱惑物;vt.引诱,吸引 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 ardent | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 ransomed | |
付赎金救人,赎金( ransom的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 predecessors | |
n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 );前辈;(被取代的)原有事物;前身 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 missionary | |
adj.教会的,传教(士)的;n.传教士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 insolence | |
n.傲慢;无礼;厚颜;傲慢的态度 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 plausible | |
adj.似真实的,似乎有理的,似乎可信的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 conspired | |
密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 ); 搞阴谋; (事件等)巧合; 共同导致 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 Portuguese | |
n.葡萄牙人;葡萄牙语 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 incessant | |
adj.不停的,连续的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 distraction | |
n.精神涣散,精神不集中,消遣,娱乐 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 defenders | |
n.防御者( defender的名词复数 );守卫者;保护者;辩护者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 rumours | |
n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 );风闻;谣言;谣传 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 followers | |
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 sages | |
n.圣人( sage的名词复数 );智者;哲人;鼠尾草(可用作调料) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 wilderness | |
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 secrecy | |
n.秘密,保密,隐蔽 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 fully | |
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 forefathers | |
n.祖先,先人;祖先,祖宗( forefather的名词复数 );列祖列宗;前人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 monk | |
n.和尚,僧侣,修道士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 slain | |
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 aspirants | |
n.有志向或渴望获得…的人( aspirant的名词复数 )v.渴望的,有抱负的,追求名誉或地位的( aspirant的第三人称单数 );有志向或渴望获得…的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 reigned | |
vi.当政,统治(reign的过去式形式) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 espousing | |
v.(决定)支持,拥护(目标、主张等)( espouse的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 advancement | |
n.前进,促进,提升 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 partisan | |
adj.党派性的;游击队的;n.游击队员;党徒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 edifice | |
n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿,教室) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 engrossed | |
adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 reigning | |
adj.统治的,起支配作用的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 fabric | |
n.织物,织品,布;构造,结构,组织 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 varied | |
adj.多样的,多变化的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 illiterate | |
adj.文盲的;无知的;n.文盲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 perseverance | |
n.坚持不懈,不屈不挠 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 eloquence | |
n.雄辩;口才,修辞 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 strictly | |
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 scruple | |
n./v.顾忌,迟疑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 interdicting | |
v.禁止(行动)( interdict的现在分词 );禁用;限制 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 promulgation | |
n.颁布 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 doctrines | |
n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 );教义;学说;(政府政策的)正式声明 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 doctrine | |
n.教义;主义;学说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 solicited | |
v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 );(指娼妇)拉客;索求;征求 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 persecution | |
n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 favourably | |
adv. 善意地,赞成地 =favorably | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 scourging | |
鞭打( scourge的现在分词 ); 惩罚,压迫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 monks | |
n.修道士,僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 remonstrate | |
v.抗议,规劝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 prerogatives | |
n.权利( prerogative的名词复数 );特权;大主教法庭;总督委任组成的法庭 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 convening | |
召开( convene的现在分词 ); 召集; (为正式会议而)聚集; 集合 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 soothed | |
v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 );抚慰;使舒服;减轻痛苦 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 missionaries | |
n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 clergy | |
n.[总称]牧师,神职人员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 ordinance | |
n.法令;条令;条例 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 variance | |
n.矛盾,不同 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 chapels | |
n.小教堂, (医院、监狱等的)附属礼拜堂( chapel的名词复数 );(在小教堂和附属礼拜堂举行的)礼拜仪式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 manifesto | |
n.宣言,声明 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 arena | |
n.竞技场,运动场所;竞争场所,舞台 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85 controversy | |
n.争论,辩论,争吵 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86 aged | |
adj.年老的,陈年的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
87 incensed | |
盛怒的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
88 implored | |
恳求或乞求(某人)( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
89 prostrate | |
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
90 entreated | |
恳求,乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
91 plunged | |
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
92 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
93 bloody | |
adj.非常的的;流血的;残忍的;adv.很;vt.血染 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
94 deluded | |
v.欺骗,哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
95 attained | |
(通常经过努力)实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
96 blessing | |
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
97 inflamed | |
adj.发炎的,红肿的v.(使)变红,发怒,过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
98 reconciliation | |
n.和解,和谐,一致 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
99 entreaties | |
n.恳求,乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
100 regain | |
vt.重新获得,收复,恢复 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
101 hostilities | |
n.战争;敌意(hostility的复数);敌对状态;战事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
102 rabble | |
n.乌合之众,暴民;下等人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
103 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
104 disarmed | |
v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 );使息怒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
105 frightful | |
adj.可怕的;讨厌的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
106 massacre | |
n.残杀,大屠杀;v.残杀,集体屠杀 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |