The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 28.1.6

28.1.6

So hee gaue order to call Master Biddolph to agree with him, and to pay for them to content. Then I deliuered a Letter I had ready written, contayning my desire for Priuiledges and Justice ; otherwise, I should returne as a Fayzneane and disgraced to my Soueraigne; and desired some Justice for Sulpheckarkons Debt lately dead. He replyed he would take such order with his Sonne for Surat as I should haue no cause to complaine, and that he should cleere it ; for which he gaue instant order. For other places, he would giue me his commands, and euery way shew how much he loued me : and, to the end I might returne to my Master with honour, Hee would send by me a rich and worthy Present, with his Letter of my behauiour filled with many prayses ; and commanded me to name what I thought would be most acceptable. I answered : I durst not craue: it was not our custome, nor stood with my Masters honour : but whatsoeuer he sent, I doubted not would be acceptable from so potent a King and so much loued of my Lord. He replyed that I thought he asked in iest, to please mee, and that he saw I was yet discontent, but he coniured me to beleeue he was my friend, and would at conclusion proue so ; and vowed by his head hee spake heartily concerning Presents, but I must not refuse for his instruction to name somewhat. This earnestnesse enforced mee to say: If his Maiesty pleased, I thought large Persian Carpets would be fittest : for gifts of cost and value my Master expected not.