The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 13.1

13.1

Adsmere, 14 Feb., 1615 [-16]. My Lord, Since my arriuall in this Country, I haue had but one Month of health and that mingled with many relapses, and am now your poor seruant scarce a Crowes dinner I thought all India a China shop, and that I should furnish all my Frendes with rarietyes; but this is not that part. Here are almost no Ciuill arts, but such as straggling Christians haue lately taught; only good Carpetts and fine lawne, all Comodityes of bulke, wherby I can make noe proffitt but publiquely; Muske, Amber, Cyuitt, diamondes, as deare as in England; no Pearle but taken for the King, who is invalewable in Jewelles. But I not alone Cossened in this hope, but in the Kings liberallitye. He alowes me nothing but a house of Mudd, which I was enforced to build halfe. .... Yet though I liue in such a house, perhaps many wayes in more state, and with many more seruants then any Ambassador in Europe, such is the Custome here, to be Carryed in a bedd all richly furnished on mens backes vp and downe; though it needs not, for here are the finest horses that I euer sawe, of Gennett size and infinite store, besides guardes and footmen, of which only I keepe 24. But this my expected liberallitye fayling makes all tedious and loathsome; for though the King hath often sent to me, yet this bounty is only expressed in whyld hogges. You expect no Ceremony, and I haue learnd none here, but I am euer, and will dye soe, Your Lordshipes most affectionate seruant, Tho. Roe.