[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 II 21/97
[How the people Address to the King.] When they come before him they fall flat down on their Faces to the Ground at three several times, and then they sit with their legs under them upon their Knees all the time they are in his presence: And when he bids them to absent, they go backwards, untill they are out of his sight or a great distance from him.
But of Christian People indeed he requires no more then to kneel with their Hats off before him. [They give him divine worship.] Nay, He takes on him all the Ceremonies and Solemnities of Honour, which they shew unto their Gods; making his account that as he is now their King, so hereafter he shall be one of their Gods.
And the People did call him God.
Formerly since my being on that Land, he used not to come out of his Palace into the sight of the People but very seldom out of State and Haughtiness of Spirit; but now of later times he comes forth daily.
And altho he be near fourscore years of age, yet his greatest delight is in Honour and Majesty, being [Pleased with high Titles.] most pleased with high and windy Titles given him.
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