The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 18.2.7

18.2.7

telling me that it was Asaph chan that putt that tricke vpon mee, for when the king called him to know who had forbidd mee the Court, he answered hee knew not indeed : that hee had giuen order I should not enter the Guzelchan without especiall leaue, for that it was his Maiesties priuacye, wher were none admitted but those that were his nearest seruantes, & for that his Maiestie often did vse to drincke there, to be barbd, and such other businesses as were vnfitt for strangers to see : & that the Persian Ambassadors neuer came without sending a day before : but that other order hee neuer gaue, nor knew of any. I answered that I did accept his loue in the highest degree : that Asaph chan was as lealous of me for his sake, but that I could not absolutely quitt him first : both the articles I demanded were referrd to him and remaynd in his hand, so that I was tyed to him, and also, I knew well that if he had no affection to doe mee good yet hee had power to crose mee : that I was resolued to procure and hould euerybodyes loue and not to runne myselfe into open factions : though in my hart and inward affections I could make difference of frendes, as I did of him, from whom I had found so free and Noble kindnes. But really I trusted neither ; the one was sower, eager of bribes, proud and knew his owne strength, the other fickle, flattering, and loued to haue his power beleeued to be more then it was ; but neyther Card for vs longer then some end of their owne enticed them.