Godwin, Francis
(Hannington, Northamptonshire 1562-1633 Whitbourne, Herefordshire) : Bischof, Schriftsteller
Subjects
History : China - Europe : England
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Index of Names : Occident
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Literature : Occident : Great Britain
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Religion : Christianity
Chronology Entries (1)
| # | Year | Text | Linked Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1638 |
Godwin, Francis. The man in the moone [ID D27179]. Er schreibt : "I then took my victuals out of my pocket, to which, till now, in all my voyage, I had not the least appetite, and refreshed myself therewith, till the people, who pursued, overtook me, into whose hands I quietly surrendered myself. They led me to an inferior officer, who, understanding that I escaped from those who first apprehended me, caused an inclosure of boards to be made, wherein they put me, to that only my head was at liberty, and then carried me upon the shoulders of four slaves, like some notorious malefactor, before a person of great authority, who, in their language, I learned was called a Mandarin, and resided a league off the famous city of Pequin. I could not understand them, but found I was eccused for something with much vehemence ; the substance of this accusation, it seems, was, that I was a magician, as appeared by my being so strangely carried in the air, and that, being a stranger, as both my language and habit did declare, I, contrary to the laws of China, had entered the kingdom without a warrant, and probably for no good intent. The mandarin heard them with a great deal of gravity, and being a man of quick apprehension, and studious of novelties, he told them he would take such order as the case required, and my bold attempt should not go unpunished. Having dismissed them, he ordered his servants I should be kept in a remote part of his vast palace, be strictly guarded and kindly used. This I conjecture by my treatment, and what followed ; for my accommodation was much better than I could expect. I ledged well, eat well, was well attended, and could complain of nothing but my restraint. Thus continued I many months, afflicted more with the thoughts of my gansa's than any thing else, sho I knew must be irrecoverably lost, as indeed they were. In this Time by my own Industry, and the Assistance of those who accompanied me, I learned to speak indifferently the Language of that Province (for almost every Province in China hath its proper Tongue) whereat I perceived they were much pleased. At length I was permitted to take the Air, and brought into the spacious Garden of that Palace, a Place of extraordinary Pleasure and Delight, adorned with Herbs and Flowers of admirable Sweetness and Beauty, with almost infinite Variety of Fruits, European, and others, all composed with that rare Curiosity, as even ravished my Senses in the Contemplation of such delightful Objects. I had not long recreated myself here, when the Mandarin entered the Garden on that Side I was walking, of which, having Notice by his Servants, and that I ought to kneel to him (a usual Reverence I found towards great Officers) I did so, and humbly intreated his Favour towards a poor Stranger who arrived in these Parts, not designedly, but by the secret Disposal of the Heavens : He answered in a different Language, which I hear all the Mandarins use, and like that of the Lunars, consisting chiefly of Tunes, which was interpreted by one of his Attendants, wishing me to be of good Comfort, since he intended no Harm to me. Next Day I was ordered to come before him, and, being conducted into a noble Dining room exquisitely painted, the Mandarin, commanding all to avoid, vouchsafed to confer with me in the vulgar Language ; inquiring into the State of my Country, the Power of my Prince, and the Religions and Manners of the People ; wherein having satisfied him, he asked me about my Education, and what brought me into this remote Country ; I then declared to him the Adventures of my Life, omitting what I thought convenient, and especially forbearing to mention the Stones given me by Irdonzur. The Strangeness of my Story did much amaze him ; and finding, in all my Discourse, Nothing tending to Magick, wherein he hoped, by my Means, to be instructed, he began to admire the Excellency of my Wit, applauding me for the happiest Man that this World ever saw ; and, wishing me to repose myself after my long Narration, he, for that Time, dismissed me. After which, the Mandarin took so much Delight in me, that no Day passed wherein he did not send for me : At length he advised me to clothe myself in the Habit of that Country, which I willingly dis, and gave me not only the Liberty of his House, but took me also with him when he went to Pequin, whereby I had Opportunity to learn the Disposition of the People, and the Policy of the Country ; neither did I, by my Attendance on him, gain only the Knowledge of these Things, but the Possibility likewise of being restored to my native Soil, and to those dear Pledges which I value above the World, even my Wife and Children ; for, by often frequenting Pequin, I at length heard of some Fathers of the Society of Jesus, who were become famous for their extraordinary Favour with the King, to whom they had presented some European Gifts, as Clocks, Watches, Dials, and the like, which, by them, were counted exquisite Curiosities. To these, by the Mandarin's Leave, I repaired, and was welcomed by them, they much wondering to see a lay Spaniard there, whither they had, with so much Difficulty, obtained Leave to arrive. There did I relate to Father Pantoja, and others of the Society, the fore mentioned Adventures, by whose Directions I put them in Writing, and sent this Story of my Fortunes to Macao, from thence to be conveyed to Spain as a Forerunner of my Return : And, the Mandarin being indulgent to me, I came often to the Fathers, with whom I consulted about many Secrets, and, with them also, laid the Foundation of my Return, the blessed Hour whereof I do, with Patience, expect ; that, by inriching my Country with the Knowledge of these hidden Mysteries, I may at last reap the Glory of my fortunate Misfortunes." Francis Wilson : In Francis Godwin's The Man in the Moone, the hero Domingo 'Speedy' Gonsales lands in China on his return voyage from the moon, residing there several years, and sharing what he learned of lunar culture and technology with his Chinese hosts before returning to Spain. |
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Bibliography (1)
| # | Year | Bibliographical Data | Type / Abbreviation | Linked Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1638 |
Godwin, Francis. The man in the moone : or, A discovrse of a voyage thither. (London : Printed by John Norton, 1638). [Enthält einen Text über China]. In : The Harleian miscellany : or, a collection of scarce, curious, and entertaining pamphlets and tracts. Vol. 8. (London : Printed for T. Osborne, 1746). http://www.archive.org/details/harleianmiscella11harluoft. |
Publication / GodF1 |
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