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Authors: Jan Jacob Slauerhoff
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of his qualities and yet is as powerful as he, through diametrically opposed qualities . We know that the successor is not esteemed for his chivalrous virtues or for his distinguished origins. But let all consider that the common interest demands that, now he has been elected, he shall be treated as one of us. Magistrate, show in the new senator.”
The Magistrate went outside and returned with a short fat figure whose head was covered by a cloth that had been thrown over it. He led him first around the body, then let go of him and said curtly: “Take the staff from the hands of your predecessor.”
Velho, having been released at the foot end, stood reflectively, as if wanting to feel in silence where he must grope, then took a step forward, suddenly grasped in the right direction and relieved the dead man of the staff. A murmur of surprised approval went through the line. Guimares again gave a short address, once more signalling the difference between the dead man, who was a great warrior, and his successor, who was a great merchant, which could serve as a symbol of changed times. He now asked Velho to exert his great influence for the benefit of the body of which he now formed part.
Velho replied coolly and reticently. Guimares then gave the Magistrate a sign, and the latter lowered a hatch in the wall and the glass of wine that came from the original ship’s store of the Mãe de Deus , which every senator had to empty as an initiation, was ready in the alcove. Velho went over to the niche and drank from the glass, but became deathly pale, staggered, and would have fallen if the Magistrate and a senator had not caught him and put him on a chair.
He was brought a glass of water. He drank and again spat on the ground, and seemed to faint again. They all surrounded him. It was some time before he could speak again.
“My body will soon lie there, and my successor will take the staff from my stiff arm. Don’t waste any time in appointing him. My days are numbered. It was prophesied to me: when the wine you thought was the sweetest tastes like vinegar, the Angel of Death will be at your door. And this wine was bitter as gall.”
Campos replied:
“We hope that fateful coincidence spoilt this wine. Perhaps seawater forced its way into the bottle. In the darkness the servant could not detect the cloudiness of the wine, but if you want to prepare for death, then immediately keep your oath to do as much for the colony as is in your power. We know that you have a great fortune and no children, except your adopted daughter; make your will this very day, assure her of a legacy and bequeath the rest to the colony.”
Velho had come to his senses again and stared straight at him. Finally he spoke:
“I see that you are unconcerned about, indeed hostile towards the kind of man I cannot help being. You won’t have my money. It is safe from your greed. But I shall make my will. Write it down. Velho,” he continued tothe Magistrate, “bequeaths his fortune to Macao on the day that it breaks free of the crown of Portugal and becomes a part of the Chinese empire.”
“Do you realize, Velho, that you’re writing another death sentence? If you do not die your own death, we can have you shot as a rebel.”
“It’s all the same to me. You call me a rebel? Am I not expressing the last will of him who is lying here before me, and of the man who first landed here, Farria?”
Campos motioned him to be silent; some wanted to attack him. Order was restored with some difficulty and the following decisions, to be taken in the session, were tabled:
To agree to the request of the Jesuits to deprive the Dominicans of the right of settlement and conversion; to give legal status to the proposal of five senators to declare all donations and bequests made to religious orders null and void and to use the funds for the benefit and strengthening of the colony itself.
Pedro Velho got up.
“Gentlemen, I shall take no part in your work. If I
The Magistrate went outside and returned with a short fat figure whose head was covered by a cloth that had been thrown over it. He led him first around the body, then let go of him and said curtly: “Take the staff from the hands of your predecessor.”
Velho, having been released at the foot end, stood reflectively, as if wanting to feel in silence where he must grope, then took a step forward, suddenly grasped in the right direction and relieved the dead man of the staff. A murmur of surprised approval went through the line. Guimares again gave a short address, once more signalling the difference between the dead man, who was a great warrior, and his successor, who was a great merchant, which could serve as a symbol of changed times. He now asked Velho to exert his great influence for the benefit of the body of which he now formed part.
Velho replied coolly and reticently. Guimares then gave the Magistrate a sign, and the latter lowered a hatch in the wall and the glass of wine that came from the original ship’s store of the Mãe de Deus , which every senator had to empty as an initiation, was ready in the alcove. Velho went over to the niche and drank from the glass, but became deathly pale, staggered, and would have fallen if the Magistrate and a senator had not caught him and put him on a chair.
He was brought a glass of water. He drank and again spat on the ground, and seemed to faint again. They all surrounded him. It was some time before he could speak again.
“My body will soon lie there, and my successor will take the staff from my stiff arm. Don’t waste any time in appointing him. My days are numbered. It was prophesied to me: when the wine you thought was the sweetest tastes like vinegar, the Angel of Death will be at your door. And this wine was bitter as gall.”
Campos replied:
“We hope that fateful coincidence spoilt this wine. Perhaps seawater forced its way into the bottle. In the darkness the servant could not detect the cloudiness of the wine, but if you want to prepare for death, then immediately keep your oath to do as much for the colony as is in your power. We know that you have a great fortune and no children, except your adopted daughter; make your will this very day, assure her of a legacy and bequeath the rest to the colony.”
Velho had come to his senses again and stared straight at him. Finally he spoke:
“I see that you are unconcerned about, indeed hostile towards the kind of man I cannot help being. You won’t have my money. It is safe from your greed. But I shall make my will. Write it down. Velho,” he continued tothe Magistrate, “bequeaths his fortune to Macao on the day that it breaks free of the crown of Portugal and becomes a part of the Chinese empire.”
“Do you realize, Velho, that you’re writing another death sentence? If you do not die your own death, we can have you shot as a rebel.”
“It’s all the same to me. You call me a rebel? Am I not expressing the last will of him who is lying here before me, and of the man who first landed here, Farria?”
Campos motioned him to be silent; some wanted to attack him. Order was restored with some difficulty and the following decisions, to be taken in the session, were tabled:
To agree to the request of the Jesuits to deprive the Dominicans of the right of settlement and conversion; to give legal status to the proposal of five senators to declare all donations and bequests made to religious orders null and void and to use the funds for the benefit and strengthening of the colony itself.
Pedro Velho got up.
“Gentlemen, I shall take no part in your work. If I
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