Immediately upon our return from the eastern frontier, the king sent his confidential1 page with a message of congratulation on my recent success against the much-dreaded buffalo2, and requested that we would visit him early the ensuing morning. In accordance with the etiquette3 invariably observed after a long absence, I laid “pleasing things” on the royal footstool, together with the trophies4 of the chase, and His Majesty5 listened with great interest to a detail of our adventures among his Adel subjects. On my returning thanks for the injunctions issued to the governor of Berhut and his subordinates, as well as for the royal permission to visit a portion of the realm hitherto unviewed by Europeans, the most friendly assurances were repeated, that “he could not suffer his children to depart until they should have viewed the entire of his dominions6.”
During this interview. His Majesty remained seated on a hassock before the fire, and had laid aside every portion of his usual reserve. Akodámas, or silver coronets, with chain pendants, of the model worn by himself on occasions of triumph, and conferred as the last honour upon those who distinguish themselves in war or in the chase, were now presented to us, together with massive silver bracelets7, accompanied by many complimentary8 speeches upon the issue of the expedition:—“You have slain9 elephants and buffaloes10, and are powerful in arms against the wild beasts of which my people are afraid,” concluded the despot. “You have overwhelmed me with rifles and other delightful11 inventions from the countries beyond the great sea, and must receive at my hands those things which my kingdom produces, in order that they may be worn on all proper occasions. You are my brothers.”
Striped cotton robes of Abyssinian manufacture followed; and three horses with plated silver bridles12 were subsequently presented, which, although like other royal gifts in Shoa, of ridiculously inferior quality, were valuable as tokens of favour that are lavished13 upon those alone who enjoy the most exalted14 place in His Majesty’s estimation. They did not fail to produce the desired effect upon popular opinion; and sycophants15 who had before taxed us with an intention to seize the throne—to extinguish the race of Solomon, and to bring a curse upon the land by the atrocious process of burning the royal bread—now found it convenient to alter their sentiments, and to confer upon the foreign guests the ennobling, but not very enviable, appellation16 of “the king’s brothers.”
The tedious fast of Hodádi, which for forty days had been observed in commemoration of Lent by every individual of the population whose age exceeded thirteen years, was now about to terminate. During the three days which are termed kenóna, the priests had neither eaten bread nor drunk water, but had remained in the churches singing and praying incessantly17 both day and night. In accordance with the practice of the primitive18 Church, the monarch19 observed total abstinence throughout this period, and on Good Friday sent me a message, “that his people would eat nothing for forty hours, but that as he knew the Gypts did not keep strong fasts, he had commanded the purveyor-general to send to the residency the usual daily supplies of bread, beer, and hydromel.”
On Easter even we were invited to the palace to witness their celebration of the royal victories, held according to immemorial custom during Passion Week. Sáhela Selássie was clad in the plainest of garments, and appeared much enfeebled and emaciated20 by rigorous mortification21, but was in high spirits at the prospect22 of speedy release from the irksome penance23. On this joyful24 occasion offerings are invariably made to the throne; and every individual of the crowd present, whether great or small, advancing in turn, contributed a mite25 according to his means—the wealthier bringing cotton cloths, and the more indigent26, logs of wood, earthen jars, or stones of a description fitted for building.
Bands of warriors27 next entered the carpeted courtyard, howling the war-chorus; and after the lapse28 of a few seconds, the gigantic Tunkaiye, who had earned new laurels29, and been severely30 wounded during a recent foray against the Gentiles, dashed into the arena31 on horseback. Richly attired32, bedizened with feathers, sarétis, and silver decorations, and escorted by a troop of fifty mounted retainers, he galloped33 up and down, recounting his valorous exploits, and pointing to the scars earned in the service of his royal master, shouted defiance34 to the enemies of the state.
Eighty turbaned priests, in solemn procession, next entered the court, clad in their sacerdotal vestments. Preceded by the great embroidered35 umbrellas of the church dedicated36 to Saint George, they filed slowly into the space vacated by the warriors, the holy ark being supported by antique Egyptian figures, robed in long musty-looking habiliments of chequered hues37, crowned with heavy mitres, and bearing in their hands rods of green rushes, bronze bells, crosses, and censers of burning incense38, with an image of the Madonna, and a crucifix; for whilst hating the Papists with all their hearts, the Abyssinians nevertheless cherish many of the superstitions39 and buffooneries of the church of Rome.
Having formed a semicircle before the throne, the priests, although much exhausted41 by their long abstinence, continued, during half an hour, to dance and chant the words of the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, “Christ was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification42.” A portion of the Dominical orison followed. Their united harsh voices were accompanied by the music of tambourines43 and kettle-drums, thumped44 with excessive violence, and by the jingle45 of the tsnasin, the Abyssinian timbrel. This is the sistrum, an instrument supposed to be included under the Hebrew term tzitzelem, and being composed of a frame and moveable bars of sonorous46 metal, it produces sounds which can best be compared to the rattle47 of the poker48 upon the tongs49.
Seven long years are passed in learning to play these instruments, which are ascribed to Saint Yareed, an Abuna under the Emperor Guebra Máskal, (i.e. “Servant of the Cross”) and the reputed inventor of church music in all its various branches. The constant practice of many hours during each day might not unreasonably50 be expected to lead to greater perfection than is displayed. From four in the morning until nine, in every church in the kingdom, a similar clatter51 and noise is maintained, for the honour of the Christian52 religion, not only on the Sabbath, but on all the numerous holydays and festivals throughout the twelve months. Howling and screaming are the most appropriate terms by which to express the hoarse53 muster54 of cracked and ill-modulated voices; and the band of stout55 priests who, by their song, nightly preserve the royal person from the influence of evil demons56, must be acknowledged to have selected a right cunning stratagem57 by which to deter58 the approach of those spirits, at least, that are gifted with any musical taste.
The rehearsal59 of the praises and martial60 achievements of the reigning61 sovereign occupied another half hour, during which the dancing was even more energetic, and the music more boisterous62 than ever. Taking their seats before the throne, the priests of Saint George, fairly worn out by their exertions63, at length made way for those of “our Lady,” who, after the enaction64 of similar absurdities65, were followed in succession by those of Medhanálem, Aferbeine, and Saint Michael, the latter distinguished66 by the massive embossed silver umbrella. As the united body rent the air with renewed encomiums on the royal prowess in arms, dictated67 to them line by line by one of the Alakas, His Majesty enquired68 of me whether similar ceremonies were performed before the sovereigns of Egypt during the holy institution of Lent?—whether the Coptic priesthood there were not less elegantly habited than the Abyssinian dignitaries present?—and whether the Ethiopic fasts were observed in Saint Thomas’s town, as India is invariably styled by the Abyssinians, or in any other part of the Christian world?
The edifying69 conversation was, however, suddenly interrupted by the cessation of the priestly voices. Rising and standing70 on the throne, the monarch now received in succession, at the hands of the dwarf71 father confessor, the carved croziers of brass72 or silver, belonging to the numerous functionaries73 of the five churches, many hundreds in number; and with exemplary devoutness74, he raised all in turn to his lips. With each sacred symbol of the season, was handed a rod of green rushes, and every person present followed the royal example, by wreathing a fillet about his brows, to be worn during the residue75 of the day. Largesses, with new silver crosses, were then presented to the several Alakas, who were invested with striped cotton robes, and charged with alms for distribution to the poor.
During this tedious process, whereof the king seemed no less heartily76 weary than ourselves, Tekla Mariam, the state scrivener, had been carefully extracting, from an endless succession of envelopes and dirty cotton bags and wrappers, something which he appeared equally desirous to conceal77 and to disclose. Drawing me mysteriously into a dark corner, he partially78 revealed a rudely carved block of wood, presenting nothing very remarkable79 in its appearance, but evidently much-prized by the possessor. “You will have perceived,” whispered the learned man, in a scarcely audible voice—“you will doubtless have perceived that this is a fac-simile of the table of the law delivered to Moses on the Mount. It requires nothing but the Ten Commandments; and of these I have no question that you will be able to furnish me with a copy in the unknown tongue.”
Oxen, assembled for consumption in the city on the termination of the great fast, completely choked the road down from the palace. Of five hundred head brought together with this munificent80 design, there was not one that appeared to possess another hour of natural existence, all being diseased, and so horribly emaciated as to recall vividly81 to mind the aged82 pensioners83 of a Hindoo cattle asylum84 in the East. Many had actually died since their arrival within the enclosure, and it appeared wonderful whence so many sickening objects had been collected. Yet the liberality of the monarch was vaunted and extolled85 by all who were to share it; and it was unanimously declared that the fault rested solely86 with the public officers who had been entrusted87 with the royal commands.
His Majesty, who, during Passion Week, had been very regular in his vigils and attendance at divine service, passed the greater part of the night in Saint Michael’s church, and on the first crowing of the cock on Easter morning, broke his long fast. The feasting now became general. The five hundred oxen having been slaughtered88, were devoured89 raw in the various quarters of the city; and whether in eating or in drinking, every inhabitant appeared exerting himself to the utmost to make up as expeditiously90 as possible for the weary restraint that had been imposed on his appetite. Numbers were soon to be seen ranging the streets in brutal91 intoxication92; whilst the court buffoon40, at the head of a party of drunken fiddlers, made his way to the dwelling93 of every person of note, and recited his praises in a series of extemporaneous94 couplets.
According to immemorial custom, two state-prisoners were liberated95 from Góncho, on the occasion of these festivities; the royal clemency96 not however extending to any of the hapless and unoffending members of the blood-royal, who have shared the dungeon97 from infancy98. During one week a public table is kept by the viceroy, to which the town’s people of every grade resorting, drunken brawls99 and broken heads are diurnal100 occurrences. Oxen, bread, and beer, were liberally supplied, by the royal command, to the long train of worthless menials at the Residency; and in such high good humour were the priesthood, that, forgetting all their former maledictions and denunciations, they were pleased to ascribe a recent heavy fall of rain, which had proved highly beneficial to the husbandman, solely to the agency of “the king’s strong strangers.”
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1
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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7
bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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buffaloes
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| n.水牛（分非洲水牛和亚洲水牛两种）( buffalo的名词复数 )；（南非或北美的）野牛；威胁；恐吓 | |
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11
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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12
bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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13
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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sycophants
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| n.谄媚者，拍马屁者( sycophant的名词复数 ) | |
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appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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18
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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23
penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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24
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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25
mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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indigent
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的 | |
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27
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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28
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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29
laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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38
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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39
superstitions
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| 迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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buffoon
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| n.演出时的丑角 | |
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41
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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42
justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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43
tambourines
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| n.铃鼓，手鼓( tambourine的名词复数 )；（鸣声似铃鼓的）白胸森鸠 | |
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44
thumped
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| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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46
sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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47
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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48
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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49
tongs
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| n.钳；夹子 | |
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50
unreasonably
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| adv. 不合理地 | |
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51
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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52
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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53
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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54
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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56
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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57
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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58
deter
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| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
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59
rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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60
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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61
reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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63
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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64
enaction
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| 设定，制定 | |
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absurdities
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| n.极端无理性( absurdity的名词复数 )；荒谬；谬论；荒谬的行为 | |
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66
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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67
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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68
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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69
edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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70
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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72
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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73
functionaries
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| n.公职人员，官员( functionary的名词复数 ) | |
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74
devoutness
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| 朝拜 | |
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75
residue
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| n.残余，剩余，残渣 | |
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76
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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78
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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79
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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munificent
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| adj.慷慨的，大方的 | |
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81
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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82
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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83
pensioners
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| n.领取退休、养老金或抚恤金的人( pensioner的名词复数 ) | |
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84
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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85
extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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87
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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90
expeditiously
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| adv.迅速地，敏捷地 | |
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91
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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92
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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93
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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94
extemporaneous
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| adj.即席的，一时的 | |
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95
liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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96
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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97
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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98
infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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99
brawls
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| 吵架，打架( brawl的名词复数 ) | |
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100
diurnal
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| adj.白天的，每日的 | |
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