Page 156 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

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156 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST

“ I was forced to yield,” writes Roe.
Next Jehangir demanded to know who the hats were
for; his women liked them, he added.
Roe answered that three were sent to his Majesty and
the fourth was his (Roe’s) own to wear.
“ Ah,” said Jehangir, “ then you will not take them
from me, for I like them, and yours I will return if you need
i i it and will not bestow it on me.”

i What could Roe do but put a smiling face upon the loss
of his hat ?
i
A picture representing Venus and a satyr provided
material for more dangerous controversy. From what
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Roe says it seems that J ehangirsuspected that the allegory
of the picture was directed against Asiatics, the satyr, with
: its dark-coloured complexion, being a repulsive embodi­
ment of the race, while the fair Venus was presumably
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i the spirit of the West, shown leading the ogre of the East in
bondage.
I “ What was the meaning of the picture ? ” he asked.

Neither Roe nor Terry could satisfy him on the point.
I Nevertheless, he annexed the picture with the rest.
Anon he turned his attention to “ some carved animal
figures, very ridiculous and ill-shaped ordinary figures,
the varnish off and no beauty.”
What were they sent for ?
L “ I was really ashamed,” wrote Roe, “ and answered it
r f. was not my fault; those that seized them must bear the
brunt; but that they were not intended for him, but
sent to show the forms of beasts with us.”
: Jehangir replied quickly—
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“ Did you think in England that a horse and bull were
strange to me?”

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