The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 22.6.5

22.6.5

wherat the king called for the list and the Persons, and fined some 1, some 2, some 3 thowsand rupies, some lesse, and some that were nearer his Person he caused to bee whippd before him, receiuing 130 stripes with a most terrible instrument, hauing at each end of fower Cordes irons like spurr rowelles, so that euery stroke made fower woundes. When they lay for dead on the Ground, hee Commanded the standers by to foote them, and after the Porters to breake their staues vpon them. Thus most cruelly mangled and brused they were carried out, of which one dyed in the Place. Some would haue excused it on the Ambassador; but the king replyed he only bad giue him a Cupp or too. Though drunckennes be a Common and a glorious vice, and an exercise of the kinges, yet it is soe strictly forbidden that no man can enter the Guzelchan wher the king sitts, but the Porters smell his breath, and, if hee haue but tasted wyne, is not suffered to com in; and, if the reason bee knowne of his absence, hee shall with difficulty skape the whip; for, if the king once take offence, the father will not speake for the sonne. So the king made the Company pay the Persian Ambassadors reward. October 26. — I sent to Socorolla for the firmaen, Hee sent mee a Copy as ambiquious and fraudulent as the former; which I refused, and drew the misliked clause my selfe, which I sent back and was promised that on the Morow it should bee sealed.