[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster) › 9 # The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 9: TO THE KINGS MAJESTIE. \[Addl. MS. 6115, f. 76.\] 29 January, 1615\[-16\]. The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 9 - **Language:** English ### TO THE KINGS MAJESTIE. \[Addl. MS. 6115, f. 76.\] 29 January, 1615\[-16\]. ### [9.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.9.1) May it please your Majestie, That I haue the Honor to be calld your Majesties Ambassador me thinckes requires out of the nature of the Place, at least embouldens mee, to send your Majestie these humble lines ; otherwise the importance of what I can write is not woorth one the least pause or interruption of your maiesties higher meditations. To relate the Customes of this Cuntry, the state of the Court or their gouerment, were fitter to beguile the wearines of the way (like a tale) at your Majesties stirrop then for a discourse in earnest. Fame hath done much for the Glory of this place. Yet it cannot be denyed that this King is one of the mightyest Princes in Asia, as well in extent of territory as in revenew ; equall to the Turke, far exceeding the Persian. But the Gouerment so vncertayne, without written law, without Policye, the Customes mingled with barbarisme, religions infinite, the buildings of mudd (except the Kings howses and some few others) : that eauen this greatnes and wealth that I admired in England (reseruing due reuerence to the Persons of Kyngs) is here, wher I see yt, almost contemptible, and turnes myne eyes with infinite longings to see your Maiesties face and happines. The trade here will doubtlesse in tyme bee very profitable for your Maiesties Kingdomes, and may vent much cloth ; but as yet our condition and vsadge is so bad (notwithstandinge fayre woordes) that will require much patience to suffer, much Industry to sett vpright. ### [9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.9.2) They feare the Portugall, they feare vs, and between both patch vp a frendship ; but in hart (if we were of force) more vnsound to them then vs. The Portugall professing here himselfe enemy to your Maiesties subiects, speaking vnreverently and falsly of your Maiesties estate and greatnes with many bragging insolencyes, having twice with a great Armado assaulted vs and by Gods assistance repulst, and beeing twice well beaten, hath so lessened his reputation (which was his strength) that his vtter ruyne were an easy woorke. The Dutch hath planted below Goa, the seat of the viceroy, and beaten him in late sea fights, and dayly wynns ground vpon him, and our trade hath soe deminished his returns that not halfe the Gallions that were vsually laden in these parts are sett out and those doe little more then defray chardge. The King of Persia hath distressed Ormus that the Portugalls are retyred to the Castle, which is in great want, all releafe from the mayne beeing taken away and the residers in his whole dominion (of that nation) banished. Doubtlesse hee would putt it into the hands of the English, for his want of shipping. ### [9.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.9.3) They are in all this quarter in theyr wane, and might, while they are swimming for life, easily be suncke: a matter of great consequence, as well to abate their Pride of the Spanish empire as to Cutt off one master vayne of their wealth. And it hath beene obserued malum omen, when any kingdome having risen suddenly to an vnwildy height, that one eminent limme, like a Pinnacle of a tower, hath fallen off. If your Majestie were pleased to grant by your gratious commissions leaue for the East Indya Company to assault as well as defend only (it beeing the nobler part of a warr, to which we are bound whensoeuer the enemy is stronge) it would strike such a terror and giue such reputation to our cause as would almost decide the contention for this trade at once, and stopp theyr mouthes from bragging that, for offending the King of Spayne, we dare not assayle, only we defend ourselves, which euery liuing would doe. Doubting much exclamation hath come to your Majesties eares that the Company transports great summes, aboue their licence, to doe your Majestie seruice by enforming truth if it had beene so, or to free them if falsly accused, I haue searched the invoice of euery ship and do deliuer it, on that creditt which I had rather dye then abuse to your Majestie, that this fleete had but 43572 royalls sterling mony (somwhat aboue 10000l.), beeing not a theird of the Cloth and other goodes. ### [9.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.9.4) The Persian Kyng hath lately with fire and swoord wasted and subdued the poore free Georgian Christians, and with his owne Arme strooke off his eldest sonnes head. Reuenge is like to follow, the Turke preparing to enter his Country with terrible hostilitye by the way of Bagdatt. If your Majestie but pardon my presumption and errors, which will vanish before the brightnes of your wisdome, I am acquitted of the fault, because I haue spoken with sincerity, though perhaps without Judgment. I humbly desire your Majestie to beleefe I would despise 100 lifes to your humble seruice, which seeing my Pilgrimage interrupts, I will in my dayly vowes and meditations to Almighty God supplicat a long, glorious and happy raygne among your subjects, and that, having fullfild much tyme, you may reigne for euer in the Kingdom of Eternitye. Your Majesties most loyall subject and humble seruant, Tho. Roe. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.9) · Pramāṇa