Page 140 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

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140 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE
EAST
Jehangir, on his appearance, demanded of him what he
I would give a painter who had made a copy so like it that
;•
i' he would not be able to distinguish the original from
it.
Roe replied, “ A painter’s reward—fifty rupees.”
The Emperor answered that his painter “ was a caveleer
and that the sum offered was too small a gift,” to which
Roe responded that he “ gave his picture with a good
heart, esteeming it rare and meant not to make compari-
sons or wagers, but that if his Majesty’s servant had done
as well and would not accept his gift his Majesty was most
fit to reward him.” Jehangir laughed at the neat retort.
“ So with many passages of jests, mirth and bragges
concerning the arts of his country ” the Emperor fell to
asking Roe questions.
How often did he drink in the day, and how much ?
What was beer and how was it made, and whether Roe
could make it in India ?
All these questions were answered to the Emperor s
satisfaction, and then Roe was dismissed. But he was
summoned again later for the picture test, for which Jehan­
gir had made somewhat elaborate arrangements.
The ambassador was shown six pictures on a table—
the presented work and five copies—and he was asked to
pick out the former. As the light was not good he was for.
a brief space at a loss to discover the original, but at last
he indicated it, pointing out at the same time the differ­
ences which distinguished it from its fellows.
The Emperor was hugely delighted at Roe’s indecision
in making his choice—“ he was very merry and joyfull
and craked like a Northern man.” The audience closed
by Jehangir presenting one of the copies to Roe and him-