The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 22.4.6

22.4.6

and so thorough their bloodes this youth must mount the Royall seate. New hopes are spread of his redeliuery, and soone alayed; euery man tells newes according to his feares or desires. But the Poore Prince remaynes in the Tygers Power, refuseth meate, and requires his father to take his life and not to lett it bee the triumph and delight of his enemyes. The whole Court is in a whisper; the Nobility sadd; the Multitude, like it selfe, full of tumor and Noyce, without head or foote; only it rages but bendes it selfe vpon noe direct end. The issue is very dangerous; Principally for vs, for among them it matters not who wynns. Though one haue right and much more honor, yet hee is still a moore, and cannot bee a better Prince then his father, who is soe good of disposition that he suffers ill men to gouerne, which is woorse then to bee ill; for wee were better beare Iniuryes of Princes then of their ministers. So that I may say of this tyme and the constitution of this state as Tacitus did of the Empire of Roome when it was contended for by Otho and Vitellius: Prope euersum orbem etiam cum de principatu inter bonos certaretur: vtrasque impias preces, vtraque detestanda vota, inter duos quorum bello solum id scires deteriorem fore qui vicisset.