[An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies by Robert Knox]@TWC D-Link bookAn Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies PART III 57/205
After them go a great multitude of Drummers, and Trumpetters, and Pipers, which make such a great and loud noise, that nothing else besides them can be heard.
Then followeth a Company of Men dancing along, and after these Women of such Casts or Trades as are necessary for the service of the Pagoda, as Potters and Washer-women, each cast goeth in Companies by themselves, three and three in a row, holding one another by the hand; and between each Company go Drummers, Pipers and Dancers. After these comes an Elephant with two Priests on his back: one whereof is the Priest before spoken of, carrying the painted stick on his Shoulder, who represents Allout neur Dio, that is, the God and Maker of Heaven and Earth.
The other sits behind him, holding a round thing, like an Umbrello, over his head, to keep off Sun or Rain.
Then within a yard after him on each hand of him follow two other Elephants mounted with two other Priests, with a Priest sitting behind each, holding Umbrello's as the former, one of them represents Cotteragom Dio, and the other Potting Dio.
These three Gods that ride here in Company are accounted of all other the greatest and chiefest, each one having his residence in a several Pagoda. Behind go their Cook-women, with things like whisks in their hands to scare away flies from them; but very fine as they can make themselves. Next after the Gods and their Attendance, go some Thousands of Ladies and Gentlewomen, such as are of the best sort of the Inhabitants of the Land, arrayed in the bravest manner that their Ability can afford, and so go hand in hand three in a row; At which time all the Beauties on Zelone in their Bravery do go to attend upon their Gods in their Progress about the City.
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