The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 19.3.5

19.3.5

The king replied his Painter was a Cauallero and that too smalle a guift ; to which I answered I gaue my Picture with a good hart, esteeming it rare, and ment not to make comparisons or wagers : if his Seruant had done as well, and would not accept of my guifte, his Maiestie was most fitt to reward him. Soe with many passages of Iests, mirth and brages concerning the arts of his Countrye, hee fell to aske mee questions : How often I dranck a day, and how much and what ? What in England ? What beere was ? How made ? and whether I could make it heere ? in all which I satisfied his great demands of state. He concluded that I should come to the Guzelchan, and then I should see the Picturs. At night hee sent for mee, beeing hastie to triumph in his woorkman, and shewed me 6 Pictures, 5 made by his man, all pasted on one table, so like that I was by candle-light troubled to discerne which was which ; I confesse beyond all expectation ; yet I shewed myne owne and the differences, which were in arte apparent, but not to be iudged by a Common eye. But for that at first sight I knew it not, hee was very merry and Ioyfull and craked-like a Northern man. I gaue him way and Content, praysing his mans arte. Now, saith hee, what say you ? I replied I saw his Maiestie needed noe Picture from our Country. But, saieth hee, what will you giue the Painter ?