SIR THOMAS ROE BIDDEN TO COURT 307
isf action to the king." This was on December 31, 1615,
and on the following day, New Year's, Sir Thomas
opens his diary as follows:
' January 1-4, 1616. I began to recouer and sitt vp.
January 5. Master Edwardes departed for Suratt.
January 6 - 9. I prepared to see the king.
January 10. I went to Court at 4 in the euening
to the Durbar, which is the Place wher the Mogull sitts
out daylie, to entertayne strangers, to receiue petitions
and presents, to giue Commandes, to see, and to bee
seene. To digresse a little from my reception, and
declare the Customes of the Court, will enlighten the
future discourse. The king hath no man but Eunuchs
that Comes within the lodgings or retyring roomes of
his house: His weomen watch within, and guard him
with manly weapons. They doe Justice on vpon an-
other for offences. He comes every Morning to a wyn-
dow called the Jarruco looking into a playne before his
gate, and showes him selfe to the Common People. At
noone hee returns thither and sitts some howers to see
the fight of Eliphants and willd beasts; vnder him
within a rayle attend the men of rancke; from whence
hee retiers to sleepe among his woemen. At afternoone
he returnes to the Durbar before mentioned. At 8
after supper he Comes downe to the Gazelcan, a faire
Court, wher in the middest is a Throune erected of
free stone wherein he sitts, but some tymes below in
a Chayre; to which are none admitted but of great
qualetye, and few of these without leaue; wher he dis-
courses of all matters with much Affabilitye. Ther
