Page:Early English adventurers in the East (1917).djvu/144

 Jehangir, on his appearance, demanded of him what he would give a painter who had made a copy so like it that 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 comparisons 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 Jehangir 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 differences 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-