The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 19.6.5

19.6.5

soe sitting on Carpetts a Cloth was layed and diuers banquetting sett before vs, and the like a little apart for the gentellmen that Companied him, to whom hee went to eat, they houlding it a kynd of vncleannes to mingle with vs. Wherat I tould him Hee promised wee should eate bread and salt togither: that without his Company I had little appetite. Soe hee rose and sate by mee, and wee fell roundly to our victualles. The substance was made dishes of diuers sorts, reasons, amondes, Pistachoes and fruict. Dinner ended, hee playd at Chesse, and I walked. Returning, after some discourse I offered to take my leaue. Hee answered hee had entreated mee to come to eate ; that what was passed was a Collation ; that I must not depart till I had supped ; which I easely agreed too. About an hower after cam to visitt him the Ambassador of one of the Decan kings, whom hee presented to mee, vsing him with Ciuilitye, but in a much inferiour manner in respect of his fashion toward mee. Hee asked me if his Maiestie my Master would not take in scorne the offer of seruice from so poore a man and if hee would vouchsafe to accept of a Present from a stranger : for that hee would send a gentellman with mee to kysse his Maiesties handes and to see our Countrye. I answered him as became ciuilitye and good manners.