Chapter XII: Part 12

He spake to the Diuell in the image of _Vitzilopuchtli_, who answered him that he shoulde not feare the Spaniardes being but fewe, nor yet those whiche were comen to helpe them, for that they shoulde not long abide in the siege, commaunding him to goe forth and to encounter them without feare, for he would helpe them and kill his enimies. With this answere of the diuel, _Quahutimoc_ commaunded forthwith to breake downe the bridges, watche the Cittie, make bulwarkes, and to arme fiue thousande boates, and sayde vnto the Spaniardes, that the Goddes woulde be pleased with the sacrifice of their bodies, the Snakes filled with their bloud, and the Tigres relieued with their flesh, they sayde also to the _Indians_ of _Tlaxcallan_, ah yée Cuckold knaues, slaues and traytors to your gods and kyng, will you not repent the wickednesse whiche yée haue committed agaynst your maisters, therefore shall you nowe die an euill death, for either you shall die with hunger, or else vpon the knife: and then wil we eate your fleshe, and make thereof solemne a banket as the like hath heretofore neuer bene séene, and in token therof hold take these armes and legges whiche we throwe vnto you of your owne men, which we haue now sacrificed for the obtayning of victory. And after these warres we will goe vnto your countrey and spoyle your Towne, & leaue no memory of your bloud or generation. The _Tlaxcaltecas_ laughed at their madde talke, and sayd, that it should be better for them to yéelde and submitte themselues to _Cortes_ his mercy, and if not, yet it were more honorable to fight than to bragge, willyng them to come out into the field. And bad them assuredly beléeue, that the ende of all their knauery was at hande: it was a world to heare and sée the bragges and crakes on both sides. _Cortes_ hearyng of all these matters, sent _Sandoual_ to take _Iztacpalapan_, and he enbarked himselfe to méete him at that place.

_Sandoual_ combated the towne on the one side, and the townes menne and people with feare fledde vnto _Mexico_, on the otherside by water: he burned the towne. _Cortes_ came at y^t time to a strög rocke lyke a tower, situated in the water, where many men of _Culhua_ were, who seyng them approche with their Vergantines, sette theyr beacons on fire, and threwe downe vpon them stones and shotte of theyr arrowes. _Cortes_ wente ashore with a hundreth and fiftie menne, and combatted the forte, till at length he wanne the battlement, whiche was the _Indians_ beste defence, and with muche adoe hée came to the toppe, and there fought vntill he had not lefte one aliue, sauyng women and chyldren. It was a fayre victorie, although fiue and twentie Spanyardes were hurte and wounded, yet the forte was strong, and the ourethrowe a great discouragyng of the enimie.

At this instant were so many beacons and other fires made rounde aboute the lake and vpon the hilles, that all séemed a lighte fire. And also the _Mexicans_ hearyng that the Vergantynes were comyng, they came out in their boates, with fiue hundreth Gentlemen whiche came to sée suche newe kinde of vesselles, and to proue what they were, beyng a thyng of so greate a fame. _Cortes_ embarked himselfe with the spoyle of the forte, and commaunded his men to abide all togither for the better resistance, and bycause the enimies shoulde thynke that they feared, wherevpon they mighte without any good order gyue the onsette vpon the Christians, and so to fall suddenly into the snare. But it followed, that when they came within shotte of the Spaniardes ordinaunce: they stayed abydyng more company, but in shorte space there came so many _Canoas_, that it séemed a wonder to beholde: They made suche a terrible noyse with theyr voyces, drummes, Snayle shelles, and other like instruments of warre, that they could not heare one an other, with such great crakes and bragges, as they had done in time paste.

And beyng bothe parties in readinesse to fight, there happened suche a poupewinde to the Vergantines which came from the shore, that it séemed meruellous. _Cortes_ thë praysing God, commaunded al his Captaines to giue the onset altogithers, & not to ceasse vntill the enimies should be dryuen to retire into _Mexico_, for that it was the pleasure of God to sende vnto them that prosperous winde in token of victory. This talke ended, they beganne to sette vpon the enimy, who seyng the Vergantines come with such lucky winde, yea & such a sight as the like vnto them had not bene séene, they began to flie with suche greate haste, that they spoyled, brake, and sunke many of them, and suche as stoode to defende themselues were slayne, so that this battayle was soone ended. They pursued them twoo leagues, vntill they had locked them vp in the water streates of _Mexico_, and tooke many Lordes and Gentlemen prisoners. And the key of al these warres cösisted in this victory, for our më remayned for Lords of the whole lake, and the enimie with great feare and losse: they had not bene so soone spoyled, but that there were so many of them, who disturbed one an other. But when _Aluarado_, and _Cristoual de Olid_ saw the fortunate successe of _Cortes_ by water, they entered the calsey with their army, and tooke certaine bridges and bulwarkes, and draue the _Indians_ from them, with all their force and strength. But with the helpe of the Vergantines which came vnto them, the _Indians_ were dryuen to runne a whole league vpon the calsey, and where they founde the calsey broken, they procured to leape ouer, and so fel into the middest.

_Cortes_ procéeded forwards, and findyng no _Canoas_, he landed vpon the calsey that commeth from _Iztacpalapan_, with thirtie men, and combatted two towers of idolles whiche were walled with wall of lyme and stone: it was the same place where _Mutezuma_ receyued _Cortes_. He wan those towers in shorte time, although they were defended with all possibilitie: he vnshipped thrée péeces of ordinäce to scoure the calsey, which was full of enimies: at first shotte he did greate hurte among thë, and beyng the night at hande, they seased on bothe sides for that day. And although _Cortes_ had determined otherwise with his Captaynes, yet he aboade there that night, and sente to the campe of _Gonsalo de Sandoual_ for pouder and fiftie më, with halfe the company of _Indians_ of _Culhuacan_.

Hovv Cortez besieged Mexico.

The night of _Cortes_ his abiding there, was perillous, for he had not aboue a hundreth men in his cöpany, and aboute midnight set vpö him many _Mexicans_ both by water and lande, although they accustomed not to fight in the night, but the Vergantines made them soone to retire.

In the morning came vnto _Cortes_ from _Cristoual de Olid_, eight horsemen, and foure score footemen. The _Mexicans_ combated the towers, where _Cortes_ was lodged, who incontinent came forth & draue them along the calsey, vntil he had wonne an other bridge and a bulwarke, and made a great spoyle among them, with the ordinaunce & horse men, pursuyng them to the vtmoste houses of the Cittie: and bycause many of the _Canoas_ whiche were on the other side of the calsey galled _Cortes_ and his menne, he brake downe so muche of the calsey, that he mighte well passe some of his Vergantines to the otherside, the which with few encounters shutte vp the _Canoas_ on that side, within the succour of _Mexico_: and in this wise he remayned Lord ouer bothe the lakes.

The next day _Sandoual_ departed from _Iztacpalapan_ toward _Culhuacan_, and in his way he tooke and spoyled a little Citie that standeth in the lake, bycause they came out to resist him. _Cortes_ sente vnto him two Vergantines to passe his men where the calsey was broken. _Sandoual_ left his company with _Cristoual de Olid_, and wët to _Cortes_ with tenne horsemen, and when he came he found him in fight with the enimies, and he alightyng from his horse, an _Indian_ persed him through the foote with a dart. Many Spaniardes were hurte that day, but theyr griefe was well reuenged, for from that day forwarde the _Indians_ courage was muche abated. With the paynes, labour and victory already obtayned, _Cortes_ might now at ease pitche his campe at his owne pleasure where he woulde, and also prouide his army of victuals: sixe dayes he ceassed not skirmishyng, and the Vergantines likewise founde out channels that they mighte goe rounde aboute the Cittie, yea and wente spoylyng and burning many houses within the Suburbes.

_Mexico_ was besieged in foure places, although at the first they determined but thrée. _Cortes_ was placed betwixt the twoo towers of the calsey: _Pedro de Aluarado_ in _Tlacopan_: _Cristoual de Olid_ in _Culhuacan_: _Gonsalo de Sandoual_ in _Xaltoca_: for they had aduise that the same way they would flée out of the Citie, seyng themselues in any daunger. It would not haue grieued _Cortes_ to haue lefte a passage for the enimy, but only bycause they should not profite themselues vpon the lande, and prouide the Cittie that way of armour & victuall, yea, he also thought to preuaile against his enimies better vpon the lande than vpon the water. And againe according to the olde prouerbe, When thine enimy flieth make him a bridge of siluer.

The first skirmishe vvithin the _cittie of Mexico_.

_Cortes_ pretended to enter the Citie, and to gette what he could, & also to sée what stomacke the enimy had: he sent to aduise his captaines, that eche of them should do the like, requiring them to sende vnto him some of their horsemen and footemë. He gaue speciall commaundement to _Cristoual de Olid_ to haue regard to the kéeping of his calsey, and to forsée that the inhabitants of _Xochmilco_, _Culhuacan_, _Iztacpalapan_, _Vitzilopuchtli_, _Mexicalcinco_, _Cuetlauac_, & other cities thereaboutes come not that way behinde them and vnwares. He commaunded that the Vergantines should goe along the calsey on bothe the sides, if any néede shoulde happen. _Cortes_ early in the morning came out of his campe with .200. Spaniardes and .80000. _Indian_ friends: they had gone but a small space, when they met with their enimies well armed, keping the gappe where the calsey was brokë, which broken place mought be a speares length, and as much in depth. They fought with them, who for a great space defended themselues behinde a bulwarke, but in fine he wanne the passage, and followed them vnto the entrance of the citie, where was a Tower, and at the foote thereof a bridge drawen, where a good streame of water passed. This place was very strong to combat, yea and fearefull to behold the passage where the draw bridge was. They ceased not shotyng of arrowes and hurlyng of stones, so that our men coulde not come neare, vntill the Vergantines came, and by meanes of them they wanne that fort with lesser paynes than they imagined: for without the Vergantines it had not bene possible to haue entred the Cittie.

The enimies being now fled from that holde, our men alanded there, with the Indian friendes, who incontinent dammed vp the broken place with stones and earth. The Spaniardes of the vantgarde, tooke another bulwarke, which was planted in the largest and fayrest streate of the Citie, and pursued the enemy to another draw bridge, which remayned, but with one poste or beame, vppon the which many of the Indians passed ouer, and then toke y^e beame awaye and aboue to defende the place: but when our men approched & sawe how the matter went, _Cortez_ commaunded two pieces of Ordinaunce to be broughte, with the whiche, and with their Harquebushes, they did great hurt among the _Mexicans_, who began to fainte, and lose their courage, the which being vnderstoode, certayne Spaniards swä ouer where the draw bridge was, w^t their weapons in their mouthes. But when the enimy sawe them passe ouer, they began, as well from that place as from the house toppes, zoties and bulwarke, whiche they had defended for the space of two houres, to flie. _Cortes_ and his whole army beyng passed ouer, he commaunded to damme vp that broken place of the drawe brydge, with earth, rubbishe and stones, and procéedyng forwarde they came to an other bridge whiche had no bulwarke, but was neare one of the chiefest places of the cittie, and there placed a péece of ordinaunce wherewith they dyd greate hurte, and seyng them now past all the bridges, they determined to enter into the harte of the Citie. When the _Mexicans_ perceyued their determination, they beganne to prouide euery one for himselfe, for some fledde one way and some another, but the moste wente to the great temple of Idols. The Spaniardes and theyr friends pursued after them, and among the throng gotte into the Temple, where they slewe many, and at length they wente vp into the high tower, and there threwe downe the idols, among whome they made a great spoyle.

_Quahutimoc_ beganne to reprehende his men for their cowardie and flight, who gathered themselues togither, and considering theyr ouersight, and that there were no horses, began a freshe to sette vppon the Spanyardes, and with force and strength draue them out of all the circuite of the Temple, and made them truste to their féete. But when _Cortes_ sawe his menne come flying, he caused them to returne and to shewe face vnto the enimy, declaryng vnto them how shamefull a thyng it was to flie: But seing the strength and multitude of their enimies, they had no other remedie but onely to retire to the greate market place, yea & from thence also they were expelled, and lost a péece of their ordinaunce. But beyng nowe in this extremitie, there came thrée horsemen who played the valiant men and made way through the troupe of enimies, who at the sight of the horses began to flie, and our men to follow with suche harte and courage, that in short time they wan the great temple agayne: then came other sixe horsemen who ioyned with the other thrée, and lay in ambushe, where they slew .30. _Mexicans_. The day being now farre spent, and the nighte at hande, _Cortes_ commaunded his army to retire, and they obeying his commandemët, hadde not so soone turned their backes, but an infinite number of enimies were at their héeles, who if it hadde not bin for the Horsemen, had slayne many Spanyardes, for they came vpon them like rauening dogges without any feare, yet with the succoure of the Horsemen, the enimie was putte agayne to flighte, and our men burned many houses, to auoyde at their next comming the daunger of stones whiche were throwen from their toppes. The other Captaynes, who were _Sandoual_ and _Aluarado_, fought valiantly on the other side of the Citie.

The great hurt and dammage in the _houses of Mexico with fire_.

In this meane while, _Don Hernando_ of _Tezcuco_, wente throughout his Lordship, to allure his vassall to the seruice and friendship of _Cortes_, according to his former promise: and whether it were seyng the Spanyards prosperitie in the séege of _Mexico_, or otherwise, he broughte almost the whole prouince of _Culhuacan_, whiche is vnder the gouernemente of _Tezcuco_, with sixe or seauen of his owne bréethren, for more he could not, although he had more than a hundred bréethren, as héereafter shall be declared. One of them named _Iztlixuchilh_ béeyng a valiant yong man, of the age of foure and twenty yeares, he appoynted generall Captayne ouer fiftie thousande men of warre, well armed and trimmed according to their fashion. _Cortes_ dyd friendly receyue and welcome them, giuing them greate thankes for their ayde and good willes. Of these newcome men, he tooke into his owne host thirtie thousande, and deuided the residue equally among the other Captaynes.

This was a sorrowfull newes to the _Mexicans_, to heare of the succoure which _Don Hernando_ hadde sente to serue _Cortes_, and with holden the same from them, yea and also among them were come kinsmen, bréethren, and fathers to many of them which were in _Mexico_ in the seruice of _Quahutimoc_.

Two dayes after that these menne were come, there came also men of _Xochmilco_, and certayne husbandmen of the Moütaines, who spake the _Otomitlh_ spéech, beséeching _Cortes_ to pardon their long tarrying, offering also both men and vittayles for the séege. _Cortes_ was pleased wyth their cöming and gentle offer, for they being his friëds, he was assured of them of _Culhuacan_, and sayd vnto them, within these thrée daies (God willing) I wil combate the Citie, therefore againste that time I praye you prepare your selues accordingly, and therein shall I knowe whether you are my friendes or no: and with this aunswere they departed, promising to fulfill his request, as they did in déede. This done, he sente thrée _Vergätines_ to _Sandoual_, and other thrée to _Aluarado_, for to disturbe anye succoure that mighte come from the land to the Citie, and likewise to defende and ayde the Spanyardes at all times, when they would land vpon the calsey, to combate the Citie, for he well vnderstoode howe profitable those vessels would be néere vnto the bridges.

The Captaines of the _Vergantines_ ceased not night and day to runne the coast and Townes of the lake, where they tooke manye boates from the enimies, laden with men and victuall, and permitted none to come into the Citie, nor yet any to come out.

The daye appointed to the enimies for the combate, _Cortes_ made his prayers vnto God, & then enformed each Captayne what he should do, and came foorth with twëtie horsemen, thrée hundred Spanyardes, and a great number of _Indians_, with their péeces of Ordinance, and where in thrée or foure dayes before they had not skirmished, time serued the _Mexicans_ at will to open al those places which were dammed vp before, and also to builde better bulwarkes thä those which were throwen downe, attending with that horrible noyse accustomed. But whë they sawe the _Vergantines_ on eache side, theyr ioy was turned into sorrowe, and beganne to fainte, the whiche oure men vnderstood well, and therewith alanded themselues vpon the calsey, and wanne the bulwarke and the bridge. Our army procéedyng forward, set vppon the enimies, vntill they came to another bridge, the whyche was likewise wonne in shorte time, and this pursued from bridge to bridge, alwayes fighting, vntill they had driuen them from the Calsey and stréetes.

_Cortes_ for his part lost no time, for he with tenne thousande _Indians_ laboured to damme vp againe the sluses and broken places of the bridges, making the way plaine both for Horsemen and footemen: it was so much to doe, that all those ten thousand _Indians_ were occupyed therein from the morning vntill the euening.

The other Spanyards and _Indian_ friends skirmished continually, and slew many of their enimies. Likewyse the Horsemen so scoured the stréetes, that the enimies were forced to locke them vp in their houses & Temples. It was a notable thing to sée how our _Indians_ played the menne that daye againste the Citizens: sometimes they would chalenge them the fielde: other times they would conuite them to supper, and shewe vnto them legges, armes, and other péeces of mäs flesh, saying behold your owne flesh which shal serue for our supper and brekefast, and to morrow we wil come for more, therefore flye not, you are valiant fellowes, yet it were better for you to dye fighting than with hunger. And after all this spéech, euery one of them called vppon the name of his owne Towne with a loude voyce, setting fire vppon their houses. The _Mexicans_ were replenished with sorrow, to sée themselues so afflicted with Spanyardes, but yet theyr sorrowe was the greater, to heare their owne vassals so raile againste them, saying and crying at their owne dores, victory, victory, _Tlaxcallan_, _Chalcho_, _Tezcuco_, _Xochmilco_, and other Townes: the eating of the fleshe gréeued them not, for they did the like.

_Cortes_ séeing the _Mexicans_ so stoute and hard harted, with full determination eyther to defend themselues or else to dye, therevpon he bethought himselfe vppon two things, the one was, that he shoulde not obteyne the treasure whiche he had séene in the time of _Mutezuma_: the other was, that they gaue him occasion totally to destroy the Citie. Both these things gréeued him much, but especially the destructiö of the citie. He ymagined with himselfe what he mighte doe, to bring them to acknowledge their error, and the hurt that mighte fall vpon them, and for these considerations he pluckt downe their Towers, and brake their idolles. He burned also the greate house wherein he was lodged before, and the house of foule which was néere at häd. There was not one Spanyard who had séene that magnificall building before, but lamented sore the sight: but to agréeue the Citizens, it was commaunded to be burned. There was neuer _Mexican_, that thought any humaine force, how much lesse so fewe Spanyards, shoulde haue entred into _Mexico_ in despite of them all, and to sette fire vpon their principallest edifices within the Citie. While this house was a burning, _Cortes_ gathered his men, and retired to his Campe. The _Mexicans_ would fayne haue remedyed the fire, but it was too late, and séeing our men retire, they followed wyth their noyse accustomed, and slue some of our men, who were laden with the spoyle, and came behinde the reste. The horsmen relieued our men, and caused the enimy to retire, in such wise, that before night al our men were in safetie and the enimies in their houses, the one sorte full of sorowe, and the others wearied with fighte and trauel. The slaughter was great that day, but the burning, and spoyle of houses was greater, for besides those whiche wee haue spoken of, the Vergantines did the like where they wente, and the other Captaines also were not idle where they were appointed.

Things that happened to Pedro de _Aluarado through his bolde attempt_.

_Pedro de Aluarado_, would passe his army to y^e market place of _Tlalulco_, for he toke much payn & stoode in perill in susteyning y^e bridges which he had gotten, hauing hys forte almost a league frö thence. And again, he being a man of a haughtie stomacke, thinking as wel to get honor as his general, and likewise being procured by his company, who sayde, that it were a shame for them if _Cortez_ should winne that market place, being more nearer vnto them, than vnto him: wherevpon he determined to winne those bridges which as yet wer vnwonne, and to place himselfe in the market place. He procéeded with all his army vntill they came to another brokë bridge, which was sixtie paces of length, and two fadome depe, the whiche with the helpe of the Vergantines, he wan in short space, and gaue order to certaine of his men to damme it vppe substancially, and he himselfe pursued his enimies, with fiftie Spaniardes. But when the Citizens sawe so few in number, and al footemen, (for the horses coulde not passe the sluce so soone,) they came vpon them so sodainely & fiercely, that they made our men to turne their backes, and trust to theyr legges, yea and our men fel into the water, they knewe not which way. They slew many of our _Indias[=a?]_, and four Spaniards, who forthwith they sacrifised, and eate their fleshe in the open sight of al the army.

_Aluarado_ saw his owne folly, in not beleauing _Cortes_, who had always forewarned him, not to procede foreward, vntil he had made the way sure behinde him: but _Aluarado_ his counsellers payde their counsel with life _Cortes_ sorrowed for the same, for the like had happened vnto him, if he had giuen credite to their counsel. But as a prudent captain, he considered the matter better, for euery house was then an Ilande, the calsey broken in many places, and the zoties or house toppes beset with stones, for these and suche like places vsed _Quahutimoc_. _Cortes_ went to see where _Aluarado_ had pitched hys campe, and also to rebuke him for that which was past, and to aduise him what he shold do: But when he came and found him so farre within the libertie of the Citie, and the daungerous places which hadde passed, he dyd highly cömend his valiaunt and good seruice: he also cömuned with him of manye things concerning the siege, and then returned to his owne campe.

The tryumph and sacrifice vvhich the _Mexicans made for their victorie_.

_Cortez_ delayed the time to pitche his campe in the market place of _Mexico_, although daily his menn entrede and skirmished with in the Citie, for the causes before alleaged, and likewise to sée if _Quahutimoc_ would yéeld himself. And also the entrie could not be but very daungerous, for the great multitude of enimies that filled vp the streates.

Al his company Spaniardes ioyntly, with the kings Treasurer, séeing the determination of _Cortes_, and the hurt already receyued, besought and also required him to passe his campe vnto the market place: who aunswered them, that they had spoken like valiaunt men, but as yet (quoth he) it is not time conuenient, & we oughte to consider better of the matter: for why? the enimies are fully determined to ende their liues in defence of that place. But his men replyed so muche, that hee was compelled to graunte to theyr requeste, and proclaymed the entraunce for the nexte daye following. Hee wrote also in his letters to _Gonsalo de Sandoual_, & to _Pedro de Aluarado_, the instructions of the things that they should doe, whiche was in effect, to _Sandoual_, that hee shoulde remoue hys campe wyth all hys fardage, as thoughe he woulde retire and flye, and that vppon the calsey he shoulde haue tenne horsemen in ambushe, behinde certaine houses to the intent that when the Citizens should espie thë flie, and would pursue after, thë to passe betwixt them and home with the said horsemen, & after the hurt done among them, in this sort, that then he with al his army shoulde come where _Pedro de Aluarado_ aboade, with other tenne horsemen, a hundered footemen, and the Nauye of Vergantines, and leauing with hym his men, should then take thrée of the Vergantines, and to procure to winne that broken bridge, where _Aluarado_ of late receiued the foyle: and if he fortuned to wynne that place, that then he should damme it vp, and make it sure, before he passed anye further: and the like order he gaue vnto him for al other broken places that he should passe.

Vnto _Aluarado_ he gaue commission, that he shoulde passe as farre into the Citie as he myght possible, requyring him also to send vnto him eightie Spaniardes. Hée also appointed the other seauen Vergantines, to passe into both y^e lakes, with thrée thousand _Canoas_. He deuided likewise all his army into thrée companies, bycause they had thre ways to enter into the citie. By the one of these wayes or streates, entred the Treasurer and Auditor, with seauentye Spaniardes, twentie thousande _Indians_, eight horsemen, twelue labourers with pickeaxes and Shouels, and many other ydle felowes, to cary earth and stones, and to fill vp the broken places, and to make the way plaine.

[Sidenote: A kinde harted captaine.]

The seconde streate he commended to _George de Aluarado_ and _Andres de Tapia_, with eightie Spaniardes, tenne thousande _Indians_, two pieces of Ordinaunce, and eight horsemen. _Cortes_ himselfe toke the thirde way, wyth a great number of friendes, and a hundred Spaniardes footemen, of the whiche were twentye fiue with Crossebowes and Harquebushes, and cömaunded his horsemë which were eight in number, to abide there behinde, and not to falow after, vntil he shold sende for them. In thys order, and al at one instaut, they entred the Citie, shewing the harts of valiaunt men, greatly annoying the enemy, and wan many bridges, but when they came neare vnto y^e towne house called _Tianquiztli_, there gathered togither such a number of the _Indian_ friendes, who before theyr eyes scaled, entred, and robbed their houses, that they thought assuredly, that y^e same day the citie had bin wonne. _Cortez_ commaunded that they should procéede no further, saying, that they had done sufficientlye for that day, for also he feared afterclappes. He likewise demanded whether all the broken bridges were made sure, in the whych (quoth he) cösisteth the peril and victorie. But those that went with the Treasurer, following victorie and spoyle, had left a bridge not well dammed vp, but verye hollowe and false, the whiche was of twelue paces broad, and two fadom in depth. When _Cortez_ was aduertised hereof, he went thither to remedy the same, but he was no sooner come, when he sawe his men fléeing, and leaping into the water, with feare of the cruel enimies, which followed, who leapt after them into the water, to kill them. There came also along the calsey manye _Indian_ boates of enimies, who toke many of y^e _Indian_ friends and Spaniards aliue. Then _Cortes_ and other fiftéene persons, which were with him, serued for no other purpose but to helpe out of the water those that were fallen, some came wounded, and others halfe drowned, and without armour: yea and the multitude of enimies so beset _Cortes_, and his fiftéene companions, who wer helping their më, and so occupyed in the same, that they had no regarde to their owne peril. Wherevpon certaine _Mexicans_ layd häd vpö _Cortes_, who truly they had carried away if it had not bin for one _Francisco de Olea_ his seruät, who cut off at one blowe the armes of them that had hold of him, and he by the enemies was immediately slain, so that he died to saue his maisters life. Then came _Antonio de Quinionez_ captaine of the guard, who caught _Cortes_ by the arme, & by force pluckt him out of the throng of enimies, wyth whom valiantly he fought. But thë with the fame that _Cortez_ was prisoner, came many spaniards, among whö was one horseman, who made some roome, but in shorte space they thrust him through the throte with a launce, and made him to retire. The fight ceassed a little, & _Cortes_ had a horse brought vnto him, on the which he lightlye amounted, and gathering his men togither, came to the streate of _Tlacopan_, whiche was large and faire. There died _Guzman_ his Chamberlayne, giuing a horse vnto his maister, whose death was much lamented among them all, for he was a man valiant, honeste, & welbeloued. There fel also into the water two horses, the one was saued, but the other was killed by the _Indians_. As the Treasurer and his company were Combatting a bulwarke, the enimies threw out of a window thrée Spaniards heads vnto them, saying, the like they would do with their heads, if they went not from thence the sooner. They séeing this sight, and likewise cösidered the great hurte and spoyle made among them, began to retire by little and little.

The _Mexican_ Priestes went vp into the Towres of _Tlatelulco_, and made their fiers in chafing dishes, and put therevnto the swéete güme of _Copalli_ in token of victorie, and forthwith stripped fiftie Spaniards captiues as naked as they were borne, and with their fine rasors opened them in the breastes, and pluckt out their hartes for an offering to the Idols, and sprinckled their bloud in the ayre. Our men seing before their eies the doleful sight, would fain haue gone to reuëge the cruel custome. But as time then required they had ynough to doe, to put themselues in sauetie through the great troupe of _Indians_ which came vpon them, who now feared neither horse nor sword. This day as ye haue heard, were fortie Spaniards sacrificed, and _Cortes_ wounded in one of hys legges, and thirtie moe of his men: they loste a piece of Ordinance, and foure horses. Also that day was slayne aboue two thousand _Indian_ friends, and many _Canoas_ lost and the Vergantines in great daunger, and the captain and maister of one of them were wounded. Whereof the captaine died within eight dayes, the same day wer also slaine foure of _Aluarado_ his men, that daye was an vnfortunate or dismal day, and the nyght heauy, sorrowfull and replenished with lamentable griefe among the spaniardes and their friendes. On the other side, the _Mexicäs_ tryumphed with ioy, and made great bonefiers, blewe their hornes, stroke vp their drummes, daunced, banqueted and dranke themselues drunk: they also opened their streats and bridges, as they were before, and placed their scout and watch about the Citie. And as soone as it was day, the king _Quehutimoc_, sent two Christians heads, and two horse heads into al the comarcanes there aboute, to signifye their victorie and to require them to forsake the Christians friendship, promising in short space to make the like ende of all those that remayned, and deliuer the countrey from warre, these things encouraged some prouinces to take armour againste _Cortes_ being his allied friendes, as _Maliualco_ and _Cuixco_. This newes was soone blowen abroade into many prouinces, wherevppon our men feared rebellion among their new friends, yea and mutinie in their owne campe, but it pleased god that it fel out otherwise. The next day _Cortes_ came out againe to fight, to shewe face to the enimies, but he turned again from the first bridge, without doing any great act.

The determination of Cortez to destroy _the citie of Mexico_.

_Chichimecatl_, a noble man of _Tlaxcallan_, (who hadde brought the Timber of y^e Vergantines, frö whence it was wrought, and was placed in the companye of _Aluarado_ at the beginning of the siege of _Mexico_,) séeing that the Spaniards fought not as they wer wont to do, he alone with y^e men of his owne countrey, went forth to cöbate the Citie, being a thing which toofore he had not attëpted, gaue assault against those which defended a certain bridge, and with great noyse cryed and named his City and lynage, and in short space wanne the bridge, where he lefte foure hundered archers, and followed after the enimie, who of industrie fledde, thinking to take him at his returne, and at length the enemy returned vppon him, where they made a fayre skirmishe, for the fight was equall. There were many hurt and slaine on both sides, so that with the dead carcasses they supped at will. But they thoughte to ouerthrowe him at the bridge, not knowing of y^e foure hundered archers which were there to attend _Chichimecatls_ comming, by meanes of whome, he passed at pleasure, to the greate griefe of the _Mexicans_, yea and remayned not a little amazed to sée the valor and bolde attempte of the _Tlaxcaltecas_.

The Spanyards likewise highly commended the fact, for where oure men combated not as they were wont to do, the _Mexicäs_ ymagined that the cause was cowardize, infirmitie, or want of vittayles: wherevpon one daye at the sunne rising, they set vpon _Aluarado_ his Camp, whiche being espyed by the watch, they began to crye, arme, arme, who came forth as well footemen as horsemen, and put them to flight, at whiche retire many of the _Mexicans_ were drowned, and others sore hurt and wounded. Then said the _Mexicans_, that they desired to talke with _Cortez_, who came vnto a drawe bridge to knowe what they would haue, vnto whome sometime they sayd, that peace was their request, and other times they demanded truce, but finally required that the Spanyards shoulde departe from that Countrey. All this policie was but to féele what strength and courage our menne had, and to haue truce for a certayne time, for to prouide them of such necessaries as they wanted, for their determinate purpose was, to dye in the defence of their countrey and religion. _Cortes_ aunswered, that truce was not conueniente for eyther partie, but peace was laudable at al times, the whiche for his parte, although he hadde beséeged the Citie, should not be denyed: therfore he willed them to wey his plentifull estate of vittayles, and their owne néede and necessitie of the same. They being in this communication with their interpreters, appeared an auntient olde man on the toppe of the Bulwarke, who in the sighte of them all, pluckt bread out of his satchell péece by péece, and began to eate, giuing them to vnderstand, that they stoode in no néede of vittayles, and so made an ende of theyr talke.

The séege of this Citie séemed a long time to _Cortes_, for in néere fiftie dayes that he had begun the same, yet could not he bring his desire to passe, yea and much maruelled that the enimies coulde endure so long a season with dayly skirmishing, and also how they refused peace and concord, knowing how many thousands of them had bin slayne, and ended their miserable liues with hunger.

Yet once agayne he sente this last message vnto them, that if they woulde not yéelde themselues, then he hauing them enuironed by land and water, woulde slea thë all, and not permitte anye kinde of victuall to come vnto them, so that theyr extremitie shoulde be so greate, that they should eate one another: their aunswere was, that firste the Spanyardes shoulde tast of the same cuppe, so that threatning increased their courages, and occupyed themselues in carrying stones to the market place, and many other stréetes, to stoppe the way against the Horses and their maisters.

_Cortes_, although it gréeued him to destroy totally so beautifull a Citie, yet he determined to bring all the houses of the stréetes that he should winne to be equall with the ground, and to stoppe with them the Chanels of water. He cömuned the matter with his Captaynes, who liked well of his intente, although it was a troublesome thing. He also aduertised the Gentlemen _Indians_ hys friends of his determination, who highly commended his deuice.

_Cortes_ séeyng the towardnesse of all his armye, he called and prepared all his labourers, with their pikeaxes and shouels, so that in these affaires, and in setting hys men in good order, he spent foure dayes, and then he begä to cöbate the stréete, which goeth directly to the market place, then fainedly the Citizës desired peace. _Cortes_ stayed, and asked for their King: they aunswered, that they had sent for him, wherevpon _Cortes_ taried an houre, and then they began to reuile him, and to throwe stones, and shot at him. The Spanyards séeing this, gaue the onser, and wanne a forte, and came into the chiefe place of the Citie. They cleansed the stréetes of the stones whiche they had laide to disturbe their passage, and stopped so vp the water stréete in that place, in suche wise, that neuer after it was opened againe, and threw downe all the houses, making the entrance into the Citie an open playne high way, and then retired to their camp. Also sixe dayes arowe they did the like, without receyuing any hurt, sauing the last day two horses were hurt.

The nexte day _Cortes_ laide an ambush with fiftie horsmen, and sent before him the Vergantines, but hée himselfe with thirtie horsemen, abode in certaine great houses in the Market place. They foughte that day in many places of the Citie, and at the retire, one shot of a handgun, whiche was the token that those which lay in ambushe should come forth. The enimies folowed our men, that séemed to flée with maruellous greate courage. But they were not so soone passed the snare, when _Cortes_ came forth with his thirtie horsemen, saying, vpon them, vpon them: By this onely meane were slaine aboue fiue hundred _Mexicans_, besides the prisoners.

Our _Indian_ friends had a good supper that nyght with mans fleshe, whiche as yet they would not be perswaded to leaue. Certaine Spaniards went vppe into a Tower of Idols, and there opened a sepulchre, where they found fiue hundred Castlins in golde: With this ouerthrowe the _Mexicans_ remayned in suche feare, that all their threatnings and triumphes were turned into mourning: and euer after whë they saw our men retire, they would not folow them, fearing the like danger, so that this was a meane, the sooner to win _Mexico_.

The hunger and infirmitie vvhich the _Mexicans suffered with greate courage_.

Two poore soules who were vexed wyth hunger, came in the nighte season out of the citie vnto _Cortes_ his Camp, who certifyed, how the Citizens were in greate necessitie, and so manye dead with hunger and sicknesse, that there were heapes of dead bodyes in the houses, only to kéepe close their extreame miserie: and said also, that in the night season manye came out to fishe betwéene the houses with feare of the _Vergantines_, and others came out to séeke for wodde, hearbes, and rootes to eate.

[Sidenote: A cruell fact of Cortez.]

_Cortes_ hearing these newes, determined to knowe the troth thereof, so that the nexte night he commaunded the _Vergantines_ to goe round about the Citie, and he himselfe with fiftéene Horsemen, a hundred footemen, and manye _Indian_ friends, placed themselues betwixte certaine houses, with order to his espyes, to aduertise him what they shoulde sée. It was no sooner day, but manye poore folke came out to séeke for foode, and when _Cortes_ had intelligence thereof, he made a greate slaughter among them, whereas at that time of vnarmed men, women, and chyldren, were slayne to the number of eyght hundred: and the _Vergantines_ on their side made another spoyle. The pitiful noise being heard into the Citie, the Citizens were astonyed, and knew not what to doe, fearing the like ambushe that they had séene and fealt the day before, & also wondered, that at such an houre not accustomed, y^e Spanyardes were so nigh. The next day following, béeing S. Iames his euen, _Cortes_ entred againe into the Citie, according as he had done before, and wanne the stréete of _Tlacopan_, where he burned the riche and faire houses of king _Quahutimoc_, whiche were motted round aboute: so that nowe of foure partes of the citie, thrée partes were wonne, and the Spaniardes might safely passe from _Cortes_ his campe, to the campe of _Aluarado_, by reason that all the houses were burned, and beaten downe playne with the grounde.

[Sidenote: A true prophesie.]

But yet the poore _Mexicans_ would say to the _Indians_ of _Tlaxcallan_, goe to, go to, make hast, burne and destroy these houses, for time will come that yée shall buylde them againe at your owne coste. For if we haue victory then shall ye buylde them for vs, and if we be ouercome then shall yée buylde them for these straungers.

Within foure dayes after, _Cortes_ entred the citie againe, and also _Aluarado_ on his side, who to shewe hys haultie stomacke, laboured all that was possible to gette two towers of the temple of _Tlatelulco_, the whiche at the length he wan, although he loste thrée horses in the cöbat.

[Sidenote: An extreme penurie.]

The next day followyng, the horsemen walked vp and downe in the greate market place at pleasure, the poore _Mexicans_ beholding that sorrowful sight frö their houses. And as the Spaniardes wente walking in the cittie, they founde heapes of dead bodies in the houses, streates, and in the water: they found also the barke of trées and rootes gnawen by the hungry creatures, and the men so leane and yellow, that it was a pitifull sighte to beholde. _Cortes_ yet agayne required them to yéelde, and they although they were so leane of body were strong in harte, and answered that he should not speake of any friendshippe, nor yet hope of their spoyle, for when no fortune would fauour them, then they woulde eyther burne their treasure, or throwe it into the lake, where they should neuer profite therby, and that they would fight while one alone shoulde remayne aliue. At _Cortes_ his nexte entry into the citie, he founde the streates full of women, children, olde folke, and many miserable sicke persons whiche were perishyng for want of foode.

_Cortes_ commaunded that none of his army should doe any hurte vnto such miserable creatures. The principall folke who were whole and sounde, they stoode in their zoties or house toppes, without weapon, and clothed in mätels. It was thought that they kepte a certaine holy day, peace was againe offered, but they answered with dissimulation. The next day followyng _Cortes_ required _Aluarado_ on his side to combat a streat of .1000. houses that was not yet won, and that he would doe the like on the otherside: for a little space the Citizens defended thëselues, but their defence endured not, but were driuen to flie, being not able to resiste the force of theyr contraries. So that the Spanishe army wan also that streate, and slewe 12000. Cittizens, the murder was so great bicause the _Indian_ friends would shewe no mercie or compassion vpon them, although they were required to the cötrary. So that now the _Mexicans_ hauing lost this streate also, the houses that were not beatë downe could scarcely hold the people y^t were aliue, the streates also being so full of dead carcasses and sicke bodies, that our men coulde not passe but must néedes treade vpon them. _Cortes_ desirous to sée what remayned of the cittie to win, went vp into a high tower, and hauyng well vewed the Cittie, he iudged that of eight parts one remained yet to win. And y^e next day following he assaulted the same, with speciall cömaundement giuen to his army, not to kil any but only such as should resist.

[Sidenote: A sorovvfull tale.]

The sorrowful Citizens bewayling their vnfortunate fate & destinie, besought the Spaniards to make an ende, and to kill them all out of hande. Then certayne of the horsemen called _Cortes_ in great hast, who went vnto them incontinent, hopyng of some agrement of peace: and standing at the brymme of the water neare vnto a drawe bridge, the _Mexicans_ sayde, oh captayne _Cortes_, consideryng that thou art the childe of the Sunne, why doest thou not entreate the Sunne thy father, to make an ende of vs: oh thou Sunne that canst goe rounde about the worlde in a day and a night, we pray thée make an end of vs, and take vs out of this miserable lyfe, for we desire death to go and rest with our God _Quetcauatlh_ who tarieth for vs. After these speaches they made a lamentable crie, callyng vpon their Goddes with loude voyces. _Cortes_ answered what he thought good, but yet could not perswade them to yéelde, truely it was a pitefull sight to beholde.

The imprisonment of Quahutemoc.

[Sidenote: An euill revvarde.]

_Cortes_ seing the great extremitie that these poore wretched people were in, thinkyng nowe that they woulde yéelde vnto him, therevppon hée spake to an vncle of _Don Hernando de Tezcuco_, who was taken prisoner thrée dayes before, whom he desired to go to the king & treate of peace: this Gentleman refused the message, knowyng the determinate will of _Quahutimoc_, but through muche entreatie he graunted to his request. So the next day followyng _Cortes_ entred into the Cittie, & sent that Gentleman & certaine Spaniardes before him. The _Indian_ guarde of that streate receyued him with the honour which vnto such a noble man did appertayne. He procéeded forward toward the king, & being come where he was, he declared vnto him his embassage. When _Quahutimoc_ had hearde his tale, he was so moued with yre & choller, that forthwith he commaüded him to be sacrificed, and gaue the Spaniardes for theyr answere blowes with stones, staues and arrowes, saying also that they desired death and no peace, and fought so stoutly that day, that they slewe many of our menne, and one horse. Lykewise on their side many were slayne.

The nexte day _Cortes_ entred the cittie agayne, but he fought not, hoping then that they woulde submitte themselues, but yet the Citizens had no such thought. He came néere vnto a certayne bulwarke on horsebacke, and spake vnto certaine Gentlemen with whome he was acquaynted, saying that now within a shorte space he could make an ende of their finall destruction, but yet of meare compassion he wished it not, for the loue whiche he bare vnto them, so that they would in time rëder themselues: wherfore (quoth he) entreate yée the king to doe the same, and in so doyng ye shalbe well vsed, and haue victuals sufficient. The Gëtlemen hearing these wordes, fell on weping, and answered, that now they knew well their errour, and felte their losse and destruction, notwithstäding they were bounde to obey their king and Goddes. But yet (quoth they) abide a while, and we will certifie _Quahutimoc_ what you haue sayde, and in shorte space they went and returned againe, saying that the next day without fayle their Lord woulde come and talke with him in the markette place. With this answere _Cortes_ returned to his campe, and thought at their méeting to conclude an honorable peace. So against the next day he caused a Canapie and chayre of estate to be sette in the markette place, accordyng to the _Mexican_ vse, and also a dinner to be prepared. The day followyng came _Cortes_ at the houre appoynted, with many of his men armed, but the king came not: neuerthelesse he sente fiue noble men to treate of the matter, excusing the kyng, saying he was not well at ease. _Cortes_ welcomed those Gentlemen, and was gladde of their cöming, hoping thereby to conclude and make some good ende. And when they had dined and well refresshed their hungry bodies, _Cortes_ gaue them victuals, and desired them to returne agayne to the King, and to declare vnto him that without his presence the conclusion coulde not be certayne. They wente and returned againe within twoo houres, and brought vnto _Cortes_ certaine mantels made of cotton woll, very good & well wrought, with answere that the king would not come in any wise, both for shame and feare. And the next day these messengers came agayn, saying that the king would come to the place appointed. But yet he came not, although _Cortes_ attended his commyng more than foure houres: who seing the mockerie, he forthwith sente _Sandoual_ with his Vergantines one way, and he himself went an other, combatting the houses & fortes that yet remayned, where he founde small resistaunce, so that he might doe what he pleased. There was that day slayne and taken prysoners aboue .40000. persons, & then he retired to his campe. The lamentable crie and mourning of the women and children woulde haue made a stony hart relent, the stench also of the dead bodies was wöderfull noysome. That night _Cortes_ purposed to make an end the next day of the warres, and _Quahutimoc_ pretended to flie, and for that purpose had enbarked hymselfe in a _Canoa_ of twëtie ores. When the day appeared _Cortes_, with his men, and foure péeces of ordinance, came to the corner where those that yet remayned were shut vp, as cattell in a pounde. He gaue order to _Sandoual_ and _Aluarado_ what they shold do, which was, to be ready with their Vergätines, and to watche the comyng out of the _Canoas_ whiche were hidden betwixte certayne houses, and especially to haue regard vnto the kings person, and not to hurte him, but to take him aliue. He commaunded the residue of hys men to force the _Mexican_ boates to goe out, and he himselfe wente vp into a tower, inquiryng for the King, and there founde _Xihuacoa_, gouernour and Captayne generall of the Cittie, who woulde in no wise yéelde himselfe. Then came out of the Cittie a greate multitude of olde folkes, men, women and childrë to take boate. The throng was so great with hast to enter the _Canoas_, that many by that means were drowned in the lake. _Cortes_ required his më not to kil those miserable creatures: But yet he could not stay the _Indians_ his friends, who slewe and sacrificed aboue fiftene thousand. After this, there was a great rumour among the cömon people, that the king would flie, making a piteous mone and saying that they sorowfull creatures knew not whither to goe: But yet procuryng to goe into the _Conoas_, whiche were so full that there was no roume for thë, by reason thereof many were drowned.