566 JOURNEY OF BENEDICT GOES
carried with him secured him a good reception, for it consisted of a pocket watch, looking glasses, and other European curiosities, with which the king was so charmed and delighted that he adopted the giver at once into his friendship and patronage. Our friend did not at first disclose his desire to go to Cathay, but spoke only of the kingdom of Cialis, to the eastward of Cascar, and begged a royal passport for the journey thither. His request was strongly backed by the son of that pilgrim queen to whom he had lent six hundred pieces of gold.' And he also came to be on intimate terms with divers gentlemen of the court.
created in the city by the announcement of the arrival of an Armenian Rumi who did not follow the Law of Islam, was so great that he thought it desirable to pay his respects to the king, and he was well received. The vizir having been attracted by a cross and a book of the Gospels (apparently a breviary) which he saw among the baggage, Benedict was desired to produce these at a second audience. The king received the book with much reverence, and directed Goës (to his great joy) to read a passage and explain its meaning. He turned up at a venture the anthem for Ascension Day, Viri Galilei quid statis aspicientes in Ccelum ? • and then, in deep emotion at an opportunity so unlooked for, proceeded to declare the glorious Ascension of the Saviour before those Mahomedans ; adding also some remarks on the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost, and on the Advent of Christ to judgment. Opening the book a second time he read the 50th (our 51st) Psalm, and took occasion from it to speak of repentance. The bearded doctors of the law regarded one another with astonishment, and the king also expressed his surprise. The latter then requested to see the cross ; and asked "To what quarter did the Christians turn in prayer ?" To all, said Benedict, for God is everywhere.. Did they use any washings and ceremonial ablutions ? None corporeal, said he, like those of the Mahomedans, to wash away the stains of sin, for these were of no profit to the soul ;; but spiritual washings, by which souls are cleansed from sin's foulness : an answer which seemed to give satisfàction.
On another occasion (for he was often called to the palace) the king showed him papers inscribed in a certain round and vermiculate character, and asked what they were. Goes when he had read them (in what language is not stated) found them to treat of the Trinity, and took occasion therefrom to speak of the Divine greatness and Omnipotence, etc. So much did they all admire what he said, that in turn they began to ask And are these the men whom we have called Kafirs ? Of a truth they acknowledge God as well as we." And the king said " Surely it is a Mullah that is speaking !" (Janie).
This Prince of Khotan had come to Yarkand to meet his mother, and showed Benedict much courtesy and gratitude for the aid rendered her at
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