Page 142 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

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142 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST

ultimately said that he would not rob Roe of his treasure,
but would simply borrow it to show to his ladies and in
order to get his artists to make five copies from it for their
satisfaction. On these terms Roe parted with the minia­
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i* ture, and as far as can be gathered from his diary he never
saw it again.
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The business of the miniature settled Jehangir insisted
on his visitor joining in the festivity, which he said was in
honour of his birthday. He was induced to quaff from
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a gold cup which was handed to him a draught of “ mingled
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wine, half of the grape, half artificial.” The liquor was
f potent and made Roe sneeze, “ whereat he (the Emperor)
laughed and called for raisins and almonds and sliced
lemons, which were brought him on a plate of gold, and
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he bade me eat and drink what I would and no more.”
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The cup was presented as a souvenir of the occasion, and
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Roe made acknowledgment of it in his own manner, ignor­
ing a suggestion of Asaf Khan that he should kneel and
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knock his head on the ground in token of his gratitude, in
harmony with the fashion of the Court. After this Jehan-
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gir “ made frolic ” and presumably in his cups sent Roe
word that he esteemed him “more than any Frank.” !
Then attendants appeared bringing in trays filled with
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imitation almonds of gold and silver which the Emperor
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cast amongst his courtiers in handfuls. The nobles
scrambled for them like boys at a school treat, but the .
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dignified Roe refrained, “ for,” he says, “ I saw his son '
i took up none.” The drinking continued until Jehangir
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could no longer hold up his head. When this interesting
stage in the proceedings was reached Roe, with the rest
who were capable, took his departure.
« Concerning these drinking bouts of Jehangir Roe says
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