The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 14.3.3

14.3.3

so, showing them the king, they were referrd to him, with promise if they stood with his honor they should be sealed, and I should expect my answer from Asaph Chan. He stept to the Prince and togither reading one or two, finding they were not accusations, he came to mee and promised mee all fauour; only hee stuck at the length. But here fell a Crosse. I keeping the Place which I first tooke, alone and out of ranck which the kings subjects obserue, a place dessigned mee by the king, the place giuen to Sir Robert Sheirly, and indeed aboue all his subjectes, Asaph Chan sent mee a message to goe downe and stand by the doore among the kings seruants. I answered : if the king Commanded, I knew what I had to doe, but to stirr for any other I would not. He sent againe that it was not the Custome for any to stand alone : that I should goe backe in the ranck of noble men. I replyed : I was a stranger and ignorant of their Customes, but I was not ignorant that I was a kings Ambassador, and not of the qualety of seruants; that his maiestie had placed mee and saw mee now : if I did amisse hee was fittest to find faulte : if it were his pleasure I should goe home, I was ready, but one foote back I would not : and that I expected from him rather additions of grace then discurtesies. Then hee sent an Officer to Fright mee, but I went so much higher and nearer the king;