Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/30

 18 GOVERNMENT. the neck of a tiger, do it without delay ; should he o*rdei' you to kiss the cheek of an angiy serpent, do it without hesitation. Do not flinch in either case, for your obedience will gain you renown, and lay for you the foundation of prosperity. When you are ordered to walk over gi'ound strewed with sp'.kes, forthwith walk over it ; you will receive no harm, for, even should death be the consequence, the reward of your devotion will be a smooth road to heaven." In their extravagant efforts to appear servile, the Indian islanders may almost literally be said to mimic the gait and manners of the very beasts of the field. In approaching the sovereign, the subject creeps or goes on all-fours, and retires in the same humiliating manner. He never stands erect, by any chance, in the presence, whatever his occupa- tion. In the early intercourse of Europeans with the Javanese, a Dutch admiral and his suite, hav- ing stood erect before a Javanese monarch, though that monarch was a refugee claiming assistance, the courtiers were so shocked at his presumption, that they began to use force to compel him into an at- titude of more humility, and a serious quarrel was the consequence. * • " At Mindanao, they may look at their prince ; but, from the highest to the lowest, they approach him with the great- est respect and veneration, creeping Tery low, and ofttimes on 6