From what I understood, this phrase is part of a sentence; therefore, the words are in inverse order. Like English, Portuguese is an SVO language. SVO stands for subject + verb + object. This is true of declarative sentences. When it comes to questions, English has a more strict word order than Portuguese. In this particular case, the author chose this word order to pose a question / exclamation: object + verb + subject. I believe in English it would make sense to keep the same word order.

By a olhos enxutos, the author probably means without crying. Initially I though of without parched eyes as a possible translation, but I changed my mind. Anyway, here's a link in case you want to check this phrase in context: https://www.fictionpress.com/s/1247368/1/Someone-cry-for-me-...

Note: assim refers to the story. História assim normally translates as such story. Try translating "Gente assim merece consideração" on Google Translate. Believe it or not, you'll get the right translation.

This is what I understood from the passage:

"And (so) (how) can / could a woman listen to such story without weeping, since she's the creature most given to piety, who at times brings with herself a heavenly image / reflection of God's mercy?!"


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Note added at 14 hrs (2018-11-16 13:46:18 GMT)
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Correction:

... I thought of...

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Note added at 14 hrs (2018-11-16 14:04:11 GMT)
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Actually, the original question follows this word order: V + O + S
In English, it makes more sense to use this one: V + S + O
Sorry for the confusion.