_ 376 _ that they had for me before, was converted into loathing, however not even this was enough to dampen the favour that I had to guide them to the faith. A few days later another niece of the King of Arabia Deserta was converted, a relative of Mohammed, of the family of Zaid, which they regard as very holy. This had now disseminated the house of Mecca. I married these women [120v] off with large dowries, which I had received from alms, to three very worthy Portuguese, one of whom was João Batista, a bookseller from Coimbra, despite the fact that, because of this the Emperor of Persia wanted to start a war in order to give women who had already become Christians(A) to the Portuguese, But because it seemed wrong to give holy things to dogs(B), the threat from the infidels ceased. It is indisputable that Mohammedan martyrs did not have as much is much perseverence as the Christian. Some days later he was diverted from his intention, even though up till then it was still good. All his relatives were confused and did the same, following the King in his (A) The greatest difficulties arose from the conversion of the wife of the Ambassador Zeid Maduny, whom Jorge Vieira married (See above, doc. 21, 1 and doc. 27, 1). (B) C.f. Matthew 7, 6: “Do not give what is sacred to dogs.”
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