The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 36]

I649-I666]

ROYAL FUNERAL RITES

43

the royal chapel was crowned were a glorious acquittance of the Muses, in the happy death of their
illustrious pupil. Some of these will be given in
conclusion, and with them will end [the account of]
what was done at the funeral ceremonies which this
noble and loyal city of Manila performed for its
august prince. The public demonstrations corresponded, not to the devotion with which so loyal
vassals serve their Catholic sovereigns, but to the
condition in which this community finds itself at
present, worn out with so many calamities, oppressed
by so many misfortunes, and even bloodless and
exhausted by the so continual invasions of enemies;
had not the divine hand been so favorable on its
side, it would not now have any shoulders to support
so heavy a burden. May our Catholic and invincible monarch accept these slight indications of the
desire, and the proofs of the affection, which all this
community offers as the obligation of its loyalty and
in token of its grief, consecrated to the happy memories of their prince, in this public manifestation; if
not suited to the grandeur of his person, it is to the
generosity of his royal breast and august blood.
May Heaven extend his life for the glory and increase of this monarchy, as we his humble and
obedient vassals desire.7
[Then follow the poems and eulogies above
mentioned, which are written partly in Latin and
partly in Spanish.]
7 Upon the occasion of the death of the late pope Leo XIII, a
rich catafalque was erected in the great cathedral of Sevilla, between the choir and the high altar, and services were conducted
somewhat in the same manner as here described.