The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 41.4.1

41.4.1

Master Steele will, I hope, fall into consideration. I daylie presse him; but he would bee deliuered of mee. I vrdgd him to agree for a woorke by great, that you might haue some returne of your Chardge; but he is yet only in woords. Hee will not once name the renting of his woorke, it beeing soe absurd. Noe Cast here will drinck of the water, but fetchd by his owne Cast; or, if they would, the Profitt should not bee allowed you. The King is desierous of all New arts, will entertayne the Artificers, and soone learne their sckill and cast them off. Howeuer, I will prouide hee shall not spend you more then hee shall earne. His wife I haue bound to Mistress Towerson at her sute. I was resolued to send her home; but shee hath one Child sucking and (as they say) forward of a Nother; it were vnfitt to send her home alone among Men. If her husband had returned, it had beene more convenient; yet hee would haue tould you hee would haue performed all. Now hee is kept to triall; and I belecue by the Next you may expect him, rich in Children and not vnprouided of other meanes, for hee brought in goods and Jewells aboue 400li., and tooke of Mochreb-chan 5000 rupees impresse vpon them, in hope of more, without my knowledge. Thus hee presumes he may trade freely: that his Creditt is greater with you then such trifles. Or, if hee had not stock, hee layed his owne Plott well;