Not long after the Father was returned to Goa, the governor Don John de
Castro returned also; but very ill of a hectic fever, which had been
consuming him for some months before. Finding himself in a daily decay of
health and strength, and doubting not the end of his life was near
approaching, he quite laid aside all business, and substituted others to
supply his place; after which his thoughts were wholly employed on death,
and the great concernments of eternity. He had many long conversations
with Father Xavier on that subject, and refused to see any one but him.
During these transactions, a ship which came from Lisbon brought letters
to the viceroy from the king of Portugal, who gave great praises to his
management, and continued him for three years longer in the government of
the Indies. As Don John was much beloved, so on this occasion public
rejoicings were made over all the town. But the sick viceroy, hearing the
discharge of the artillery, and seeing almost from his bed the bonfires
that were made, could not forbear laughing at it, though he was almost in
the agonies of death. "How deceitful and ridiculous is this world," said
he, "to present us with honours of three years continuance, when we have
but a moment more to live!" The Father assisted him, even to the last
drawing of his breath; and had the consolation to behold a great man of
this world, expiring with the thoughts of a saint in holy orders.

Xavier being master of himself, in some manner, after the disease of Don
John de Castro, who had desired him not to stir from Goa, during the
winter, had thoughts of visiting once more the coast of Fishery before
his voyage to Japan; his resolutions of which, he had not hitherto
declared. But the incommodities of the season hindered him; for at one
certain time the sands so choke up the channels of the isle, that no ship
can either go out of the port, or enter into it.

In waiting until the navigation became free, the saint applied himself
particularly to the exercises of a spiritual Life, as it were to recover
new strength after his past labours, according to the custom of
apostolical men, who, in the communications which they have with God,
refresh themselves after the pains which they have taken with their
neighbour.

Then it was, that, in the garden of Saint Paul's college, sometimes in
walking, at other times in retiring into a little hermitage, which was
there set up, he cried out, "It is enough, O my Lor