[An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies by Robert Knox]@TWC D-Link book
An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies

PART III
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Upon the breaking of the stick, that Party that hath won doth not a little rejoyce.

Which rejoycing is exprest by Dancing and Singing, and uttering such sordid beastly Expressions, together with Postures of their Bodies, as I omit to write them, as being their shame in acting, and would be mine in rehearsing.

For he is at that time most renowned that behaves himself most shamelesly and beast-like.
[For the filthiness of it forbid by the King.] This filthy Solemnity was formerly much in use among them; and even the King himself hath spent time in it, but now lately he hath absolutely forbidden it under penalty of a forfeiture of Money.

So that now the practice hereof is quite left off.
[A cunning stratagem of an Officer.] But tho it is thus gone into dis-use, yet out of the great delight the People had in it, they of Gompala would revive it again; and did.

Which coming to the King's ear, he sent one of his Noblemen to take a Fine from them for it.


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