Note 94 — Chapter X
Reading edition
A beautiful tribute is paid by Cervantes, in his tale of the “Española Inglesa,” (Novelas, Madrid, 1783, 8vo, Tom. I. pp. 358, 359), to the zeal and disinterestedness of the poor priests and monks, who went, sometimes at the risk of their lives, to Algiers to redeem the Christians, and one of whom remained there, giving his person in pledge for four thousand ducats which he had borrowed to send home captives. Of Father Juan Gil, who effected the redemption of Cervantes himself from slavery, Cervantes speaks expressly, in his “Trato de Argel,” as
Un frayle Trinitario, Christianísimo, Amigo de hacer bien y conocido, Porque ha estado otra vez en esta tierra Rescatando Christianos; y dió exemplo De una gran Christiandad y gran prudencia;— Su nombre es Fray Juan Gil. Jornada V.
A friar of the blessed Trinity, A truly Christian man, known as the friend of all good charities, who once before Came to Algiers to ransom Christian slaves, And gave example in himself, and proof Of a most wise and Christian faithfulness. His name is Friar Juan Gil.