The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 23.3.8

23.3.8

Principally 3 with Turretts of gould, grates of gould wire euery way to looke out, and Canopyes ouer of Cloth of siluer. Then the king descended the stayres with such an acclamation of health to the king as [w]ould haue out-cryed Cannons. At the stayres foote, wher I mett him, and shuffled to be Next, one brought a mighty carp; another a dish of white stuff like starch, into which hee putt his finger, and touched the fish and so rubd it on his forhead, a Ceremony vsed presaging good fortune. Then another came and buckled on his swoord and buckler sett all ouer with great Diamondes and rubyes. the belts of gould suteable. Another hung on his quiuer with 30 arrowes and his bow in a Case, the same that was presented by the Persian Ambassador. On his head he wore a rich Turbant with a Plume of herne tops, not many but long; on one syde hung a ruby vnsett, as bigg as a Walnutt; on the other syde a diamond as great; in the middle an emralld like a hart, much bigger. His shash was wreathed about with a Chayne of great Pearle, rubyes, and diamondes drild. About his Neck hee carried a Chaine of most excellent Pearle, three double; so great I neuer saw; at his Elbowes, Armletts sett with diamondes; and on his wristes three rowes of seuerall sorts. His handes bare, but almost on euery finger a ring; his gloues, which were english, stuck vnder his Girdle; his Coate of Cloth of gould without sleeues vpon a fine Semian as thin as Lawne;