The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 18.2.8

18.2.8

Soe I playd at their game, held correspondence with both, and resolued to vse both as long as I could, and to quitt him, when I must needes, that could doe mee least good. Hee asked mee what then he should doe for mee. I answered Continew his affection to our Nation: and for my particular, I desird him to remember my seruice to his Maiestie and to recommend our cause in generall termes and to signifye to his Maiestie that I well sawe our Ignorance in tymes past of what Comodityes were fitt for his Maiestie had made our trade fastidious, but that if I knew his Maiesties Mynd he should see how able wee were to serue him. Hee replyed hee would doe it; but withall he said wee brought too much Cloth and ill swoordes and almost nothing else: that euery body was weary of yt; that hee aduised wee should forbeare two or 3 yeares, and insteed therof, seeing our shippes went to China and Japan, to bring all the raretyes of those parts (which were more acceptable here then Gould), and from our Countrie the best Cloth of Tissue and richest stuffs of silke, gould and siluer that wee had, but especially good quantety of Arras for hangings, saying that the king would buy for a Leeck or two of rupzes, and euery great man in proportion. And this, I thinck, is true, and would serue for two years.