The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 19.9.2

19.9.2

The valew I know not, because the stones are many of them small, and the greater, which are also many, are not all Cleane, but they are in Number about 2,000 and in gould about 20 oz. Thus hee made frolique and sent me woord hee more esteemed mee than euer any Francke ; and demanded if I were mery at eating the wild bore sent mee a few dayes before? How I dresd it? What I dranck ? and such Complements : that I should want nothing in his land ; which his Publique and many graces I found presently in the fashion of all his Nobilitye. Then hee threw about to those that stood below two Chargers of new rupyes and among vs two Chargers of hollow Almondes of gould and siluer mingled ; but I would not scramble as did his great men ; for I saw his sonne tooke vp none. Then hee gaue shashes of gould and girdles to all the musitians and wayters and to many others. So drincking and commanding others, his Maiestie and all his lordes became the finest men I euer saw, of a thousand humors. But his sonne, Asaph chan and some two ould men and the late king of Candahor and my self forbare. When hee Could desired was that his Countrey-men, the English, might have a free, safe, and peaceable trade in his Dominions. The Mogol would answer that he was bound in honour to afford them that, we coming from the furthermost parts of the world to trade there ; and would often bid the Ambassadour to ask something for himself ;