The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 39.6

39.6

at which appeared a Gentleman of the Kings, who was sent to obserue the passage, and to stickle, and told vs both the King commanded wee should come before him at a Garden, where he sate, a Course out of Towne, vpon the Riuer. So the Prince tooke his Palankee, and I a Coach, well attended by seruants both of father and son. When I came to the gates the Women were entring, and then no man can but the Prince ; who made within a bitter complaint against mee, that I had dared to cut his seales, and to take out what I list Asaph Chan was called for, who was my suretie, and the Prince laid it on him ; hee, as the custome is, denyed it, excused himselfe ; yet I had not accused him, but tooke it vpon me, as knowing my selfe better able to beare it, and that he would denie it. Then I was sent for to the water-side, where the King sate priuately, where I entered, with mee the Presents ; but the King was within amongst his Women. Asaph Chan chafed at mee for breaking his word ; told mee the Prince had shamed him. I replyed by Iaddow : You know I had your consent ; this man is witnesse. He denyed it to vs both. I replyed : Though I would not cast it vpon him, it was true, for I had witnesse. Iaddow would not returne the answere, but told me he might not tell him he lyed to his face. And this is vsuall ; if any command come from the King that he forgets, he that brought the message will disauow it. I bore vp as high as I could. The great men told me it was a great affront ;