Page:Early English adventurers in the East (1917).djvu/159

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AN IMPERIAL DESPOT IN DRESS AND UNDRESS
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would make him satisfaction. The prince (Khumim), Noor Mahal, and he, he added, were all one, and as for bringing him anything to procure his favour, it was a. ceremony and unnecessary, for he would at all times hear Roe: he would be welcome empty-handed, for his poverty would not be his fault. He concluded by saying that Roe should not be angry as he meant well.

During the imperial harangue Roe maintained a stolid silence that was more eloquent than words. As he continued silent, Jehangir directly asked him whether he was pleased or not.

Thus challenged. Roe diplomatically replied that his Majesty's content pleased him. At this juncture, seeing Terry, who had accompanied Roe, Jehangir called to him—"Padre, you are very welcome, and this house is yours and esteeme it so: whensoever you desire to come to me it shall be free to you and whatsoever you require of me I will grant you."

After this digression, Jehangir turned again to the question of the presents and adroitly extracted an assent from Roe to his act of misappropriation by enumerating each article and asking whether he would wish to have it back.

First there were the dogs, the cushions and the barber's case, he (the Emperor) was delighted with them. They need not be returned?

Roe, of course, could only answer, "No."

Then, continued the Emperor, there were two clothes chests, "very mean and ordinary," for whom were they? He was told that one was intended for himself and the other for Noor Mahal.

"Why then," said he, "you will not ask for that I have, being contented with one."