The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 23.4.3

23.4.3

soe that I hasted to his tentes to attend his alighting. They were walled in about halfe an english mile in Compasse, in forme of a fort with diuers Coynes and bulwarckes, with high Cannattes of a Course stuff made like arras, red on the outsyde, within which figures in Panes, with a handsome gate house; euery Post that beare vp these was hedded with a topp of brasse. The throng was great. I desired to goe in, but no man was suffered; the greatest in the land satt at the doore; but I made an offer, and they admitted mee, but refused the Persian Embassador and all the Noblemen. Here first the Persian Embassador saluted me, with a silent Complement only. In the middst of this Court was a throwne of mother of Pearle borne on two pillars raysd on earth, couered ouer with an high tent, the Pole headed with a knob of gould, vnder it Canopyes of Cloth of gould, vnder foote Carpettes. When the king came neare the doore, some Noble men came in and the Persian Ambassador. Wee stood one of the one syde, the other of the other, making a little lane. The king entering cast his eye on mee, and I made a reuerence; hee layd his hand on his brest and bowed, and turning to the other syde nodded to the Persian. I followed at his heeles till hee ascended, and euery man cryed "Good Ioy and fortune," and so tooke our Places. Hee called for water, washed his handes and departed. His weomen entered some other Port to their quarter, and his sonne I saw not.