Chapter VII: Part 7

The house where the Spaniardes were lodged was great and large, with many fayre chambers sufficient for them all: it was nete, cleane matted, and hanged with cloth of Cotten, and feathers of many colours, pleasant to behold. When _Mutezuma_ was departed frö _Cortes_, he began to sette his house in order, and placed the ordinaunce at his dore, and hauing all his things in good sorte, he went to a sumptuous dinner that was prepared for him. As soone as _Mutezuma_ had made an ende of his dinner hearyng that the straungers were rysen from the table, and reposed a while, then came he to _Cortes_, salutyng him, and satte downe by him. He gaue vnto him diuers iewels of gold plate, feathers, and many garmëts of Cotten, both riche, well woven, & wrought of straunge colours, a thing comely, that did manifest his greatnesse, and also cöfirme their imagination. This gifte was deliuered honorably, and then began his talke as foloweth: Lorde and Gentlemen, I doe much reioyce to haue in my house such valiant men as ye are, for to vse you with curtesie, and entreate you with honour, according to your deserte and my estate. And where heretofore I desired that you shoulde not come hither, the onely cause was, my people had a greate feare to sée you, for your gesture & grimme beards did terrifie them, yea, they reported that yée had such beastes as swallowed men, and that your cöming was frö heauen, bringing with you lightning, thunder & thüderbolts, wherwith you made the earth to trëble & to shake, and that yée slew therewith whom ye pleased. But now I do sée & know that you are mortall më, & that ye are quiet & hurt no man: also I haue séene your horses, which are but your seruauntes, and youre Gunnes lyke vnto shootyng Trunkes. I do now hold all for fables and lyes which hath bin reported of you, and I do also accept you for my méere kinsmen. My father tolde me that hée had heard his forefathers say, of whome I doe descende, that they helde opinion howe they were not naturals of thys lande, but come hither by chance, in companye of a mighty Lorde, who after a while that they hadde abode héere, they returned to their natiue soyle: After manye yeares expyred, they came agayne for those whome they had left héere behind them, but they would not goe wyth them, bycause they had héere inhabited, and hadde wyues and children, and great gouernement in the land. Nowe these myghtie Lords séeyng that they were so stubborne, and woulde not returne with them, departed from them sore displeased, saying, that he woulde sende his children that should both rule and gouerne them, in iustice, peace, and auntient Religion, and for this consideration, wée haue alwayes expected and beléeued, that suche a people should come to rule and gouerne vs, and cösidering from whence you come, I doe thinke that you are they whome we looked for, and the notice which the greate Emperour _Charles_ had of vs, who hath now sent you hither. Therefore Lorde and Captayne, be well assured, that we wyll obey you, if there be no fayned or deceytefull matter in your dealings, and will also deuide wyth you and youres all that we haue. And although this which I haue sayde were not only for youre vertue, fame, and déedes of valiant Gentlemen, I would yet do it for your worthinesse in the battayles of _Tauasco_, _Teocazinco_, and _Chololla_, béeyng so few, to ouercome so many.

Now agayne, if ye ymagine that I am a God, and the walles and routes of my houses, and all my vessell of seruice to be of pure golde, as the men of _Zempoallan_, _Tlaxcallan_, and _Huexozinco_ hath enformed you, it is not so, and I iudge you to be so wise, that you giue no credit to such fables. You shall also note, that through your commyng hither, manye of my subiectes haue rebelled, and are become my mortall enimies, but yet I purpose to breake their wings. Come féele you my body, I am of fleshe and bone, a mortal man as others are, and no God, although as a King I doe estéeme my selfe of a greater dignitie and preheminëce than others. My houses you do also sée, which are of tymber and earthe, and the principallest of Masons worke, therefore nowe you do both knowe and sée what odious lyars those talebearers were. But troth it is, that golde plate, feathers, armour, iewels, and other riches, I haue in the treasory of my forefathers a long time preserued, as the vse of Kings is, all the which you & yours shal enioy at all times. And now it may please you to take your rest, for I know that you are wéery of your iourney. _Cortez_ with ioyfull countenance humbled himselfe, séeing some teares fall from _Mutezuma_ his eyes, saying vnto him, vppon the trust I haue hadde in youre clemencye, I insisted to come both to sée and talke wyth your highnesse, and now I know that all are lyes which hath bin tolde me. The like youre highnesse hath hearde reported of vs, assure youre selfe, that the Emperoure Kyng of _Spayne_ is your naturall Lorde, whome yée haue expected for, he is the onely heyre from whence youre lynage dothe procéede, and as touching the offer of youre highnesse treasure, I do most hartyly thanke you.

[Sidenote: A louing aunsvvere.]

After all this communication, _Mutezuma_ demaunded whether the bearded men whiche came with him, were eyther his vassals or his slaues, bycause he would entertayne eache one according to his estate. _Cortes_ aunswered, that they were all his bréethren, friendes, and fellowes, except some that were his seruauntes.

Then he departed, and wente home to his Pallace, and there enformed himselfe particularlye who were Gentlemen, and who were not, and according therevnto, sent euery one particular gift or present. To the Gentlemen he sente the rewarde by his Controller, and to the Marriners & other seruitors, by a Page of his housholde.

The Maiestie and order, vvherevvith _Mutezuma was serued_.

Mvtezuma was a man of a small stature and leane, his couloure tawnie as all the _Indians_ are. He hadde long heare on hys heade, sixe little heares vppon him, as though they hadde bin put in with a bodkin. His thinne bearde was blacke. Hée was a man of a fayre condition, and a doer of Iustice, well spoken, graue and wise, beloued and feared among his subiectes. _Mutezuma_ doth signifie sadnesse.

To y^e proper names of Kings and Lords, they do adde this sillable C. whiche is for cortesie and dignitie, as we vse Lord. The Turke vseth _Zultan_. The Moore or Barbarian calleth his Lorde _Mulley_, and so the _Indians_ say _Mutezumazin_. His people hadde him in such reuerence, that he permitted none to sit in his sight, nor yet in his presence to weare shoes, nor looke him in the face, except very few Princes. He was glad of the conuersation of the _Spanyardes_, and would not suffer them to stande on foote, for the great estimation he had of them, and if he lyked any of the _Spanyardes_ garments, he woulde exchange his apparrell for theirs.

He changed his owne apparell foure times euery day, and he neuer clothed himselfe agayne with the garmentes whiche he hadde once worne, but all suche were kept in his Guardrobe, for to giue in presents to his seruantes and Ambassadors, and vnto valiante souldyers which had takë any enimie prisoner, and that was estéemed a great reward, and a title of priuiledge.

The costly mätels whereof had bin diuers sent to _Cortes_, were of the same Guardrobe.

_Mutezuma_ went alwayes very net and fine in hys attire. He bathed him in his hotehouse foure times euerye day. He went seldome out of his Chamber, but when hée went to his meate. He eate alwayes alone, but solemnelye and with great abundance. His table was a pillowe, or else a couple of coulloured skynnes. His Chayre was a fourefooted stole made of one péece, and hollowe in the middest, well wroughte and paynted. His table clothes, napkins and towels were made of Cotten woll, verye white and newe, for he was neuer serued but once wyth that naperie. Foure hundred Pages broughte in hys meate, all sonnes of greate Lordes, and placed it vppon a table in his greate Hall. The meate béeyng broughte in, then came _Mutezuma_ to beholde the dishes, and appoynted those dishes that liked him best, and chafing dishes were prepared to kéepe that meate warme, and seldome would eate of any other dish, except the Lord Stewarde or Controller should highly commende any other dishe.

Before he sate downe, came twentie of his wiues of the fayrest and best estéemed, or else those that serued wéekely by turne, broughte in the bason and ewer, wyth greate humblenesse. This done, he sate him downe, and then came the Lord Steward, and drewe a wodden nette before him, bycause none shoulde come nigh his table. And this noble man alone placed the dishes, and also tooke them away, for the Pages who broughte in the meate came not néere the table, nor yet spake any word, nor no man else.

While the Lord _Mutezuma_ was at his meate, excepte some Iester, they al serued him barefooted. There assisted alwayes somewhat a farre off, sixe auntiente and noble men, vnto whome he vsed to giue of the dish that best lyked him, who receyued the same at his hande with greate reuerence, and eate it incontinent, without loking in his face, whiche was the greatest humilitie that they coulde vse before him. He had musike of Fiddle, Flute, and of a Snayle shell, and a Caudron couered with a skinne, and suche other strange instrumentes. They hadde very euill voyces to sing. Always at dinner time he had Dwarfes, crookebackes, and other deformed counterfets, all for maiestie and to laugh at, who hadde their meate in the Hall among the Iesters and Idyots, whiche were fedde with parte of the meate that came from _Mutezuma_ hys table, all the rest of the meate was giuen to thrée thousand of the Guard, who attended ordinarily in the yarde or court, and therefore they say that there was broughte for his table thrée thousande dishes, and as manye pottes of wine, suche as they vse, and that continually the buttrey and Pantrey stoode open, whiche was a wonder to sée what was in them. The platters, dishes, and cuppes, were al of earth, whereof the King was serued but once, and so frö meale to meale new. He had likewise his seruice of golde and plate verye riche, but he vsed not to bée serued with it, (they say) bycause he woulde not be serued twice therewith, the whiche he thoughte a base thing. Some affirme, that yong children were slayne and dressed in diuers kind of dishes for _Mutezuma_ his table, but it was not so, only of mans flesh sacrifised he fedde nowe and then. The table being taken vp, then came againe the Gentlewomen to bring water for his hands, with the like reuerëce as they vsed at the first, and then went they to dinner with the other wiues, so that then the Gentlemen and Pages waited as their course fell.

The footeplayers that played _before Mutezuma_.

VVhen his table was taken vp, and his seruitors gone to meate, _Mutezuma_ sate stil: then came in the suiters that hadde any affayres to deale with him, barefoted, for all the persons did vse that reuerence, excepte some Princes his kinsmen, as the Lordes of _Tescuco_, and _Tlacopan_, and a fewe others: and béeing colde weather, they vsed to weare olde ragged clothes vppon theyr riche garmentes. Al suiters vsed to make thrée or foure curtesies, not loking toward his face, and speaking vnto him their heads downewardes, and in that order retyred backe agayne. _Mutezuma_ aunswered his suiters very grauely, with lowe voyce, and in fewe words, and not to al suiters, for others his secretaries or counsellers that stoode by, answered for him, and hauyng their aunswere, they returned backewardes, not turning their tayles to the prince. After these businesses done, hée vsed some recreation, hearing Iesters or songs, wherein he delighted much, or else to looke vpon the players, who play with their féete, as we doe with oure handes. These haue a cudgell like vnto a pastlers rowler, whiche they tosse high and lowe, as it were a bal in the ayre, straunge to beholde. They vse other playes to passe the tyme, in such an order, that it séemed maruellous to the lookers on. _Cortez_ broughte into _Spayne_ some of these players. Also they vse _Matachines_, in suche sorte they do play, that they stand each vppon others shoulders, and he that standeth highest, sheweth many feates. Sometime _Mutezuma_ did beholde the players, who played at a game called _Patoliztli_, whiche is muche like oure Tables, and they play with beanes, squared like dice, which they call _Patolli_, and throw them out of both their hands vpon a matte, or else vpon the ground, where are made certaine strikes, vpon which they set downe the chance that is throwen: and at this game they play all that they haue, and many tymes they valew theyr owne bodyes, and play that into captiuitie, and to remayne a slaue, I meane such as are common gamesters of small estate.

The Tennis play in Mexico.

Sometimes _Mutezuma_ went to the Tennis Courte. Their ball is called _Villamaliztli_, and is made of the gumme which commeth from a trée called _Vlli_. This trée groweth in a hote Countrey. The gumme being kneded togither, and so made roüd, is as blacke as pitch, and somewhat heauie, and very harde for the hande, but yet good and light to rebound, and better than our windballes. They play not at chases, but at bädie, or at check, that is, if the ball touch the wall, it loseth. They maye strike the ball with any part of their body, but there is alwayes a penaltie if they only strike not with the buttoke or side, whiche is the finest play: wherefore they vse a skynne vpon eache buttocke. They play so many to so many for a packe of mantels, or according to the abilitie of the players. Also they play for golde and feathers, and sometime for their owne bodyes, as they vse at _Patolli_, which is there permitted & lawfull. The Tennis Court is called _Tlachco_, and is a Hall long and narrow, but wyder vpwards, than downewardes, and higher on the sides than at y^e ends, which is an industrie for their play. The house is always white and smooth in the side walles: they haue certain stones like vnto mylstones, w^t a little hole in the middest that passeth through the stone, the hole is so small, that scarcely the ball maye passe through, but hée that chanceth to strike the ball into the hole, whiche seldome happeneth, winneth the game, and by an auntiente lawe and custome among Tennis players, he ought to haue the clokes of all those that stande and beholde the play, on that side that the ball went in, and in some Tennis Courtes, the halfe of the garmentes of them that stande lookyng on. The winner is then bounde to make certayne sacrifice to the God of the Tennis play, and to the stone where the ball entred. The beholders of the play woulde saye, that suche a wynner should be a thiefe and an adulterer, or else that he shoulde dye quickly.

They vsed in the Temple of the Tennis play two Images of the God of the ball, which stoode vpon the two lower walles. Their Sacrifice was celebrated at midnighte, with many Ceremonies and Witchcraftes, and songs for that purpose. Then came a Prieste from the Cathedrall Churche, wyth other Religious persons to blesse the Sacrifice, saying certayne diuelishe prayers, and throwing the ball four tymes in the Tennis Court. In thys order was the Tennis play consecrated, and after thys consecration it was lawfull to play, or else not, for this dilligence was firste to be done when any Tennis Court or play was newly built.

The owner of the Tennis Courte also woulde neuer suffer any to play, vntill he had first offered something to the Idoll, theyr superstition was so great.

_Mutezuma_ broughte the _Spanyardes_ to behold this pastyme, and gaue thë to vnderstande, y^t he delyghted much in thys game, and also to sée our men play at Cardes and Dyce.

The number of vviues that Mutezuma _had in his house_.

_Mvtezuma_ had many houses as wel in _Mexico_ as without, for his recreation and pleasure, as also for his ordinary dwelling. To write of al it should be tedious, but where his continual abyding was, he named _Tepac_, that is to say, Pallace. And that Pallace had twenty dores or gates which had their outcomming into the cömon streates.

It hath thrée courtes, and in the one standeth a fayre fountaine, many halles, and a hundred chambers of twentie-thrée, and thirtie foote long, an hundered bathes & hothouses: and although the building was without nayles, yet very good workmanship.

The walles were made of masons work, and wrought of Marble, Iaspe, and other blacke stone, with vaines of redde, like vnto rubies and other stones, whiche glistered very fayre: the Rooffes wer wrought of Tymber, and curiously carued: the Timber was Cedre, Cipers, & Pynetree: the chambers were painted and hong with cloth of cotten, and clothe made of Conneys haire and feathers. The beddes were poore and of no vallew, for they were nothing but Mantels layde vpon mattes, or vpon Hay, or else mattes alone: fewe men lay within those houses.

There were a thousande women, and some affyrme y^t there were thrée thousand, accounting gentlewomen, seruaunts and slaues: the most were noble mens daughters, _Mutezuma_ toke of them for himselfe, those that liked him best, and the others he gaue in mariage to Gentlemen his seruaunts.

The saying was that he had at one tyme a hundreth & fiftie women hys wiues with childe, who through the perswasion of the Deuill tooke Medicines to caste theyr creatures, bycause they knewe that they shoulde not inherite the state: these hys wiues had many olde women for their Guarde, for no man was permitted to looke vpon them.

The shielde of armes that is sette in his pallayce, and likewyse carried to the warres, is an Eagle soryng vpon a Tiger hys talents bente as takyng pray. Some thynk it is a Gryphon and not an Egle. The Gryphons in time paste, say they, did cause the vale of _Auacatlan_ to be dispeopled, for they were greate deuourers of menne, and that theyr abidyng was in the Mountaynes of _Teoacan_: they approue that these Mountains were called _Cuitlachtepelt_, of _Cuitlachtli_, which is a Gryphon bigger than a Lion: but the Spaniardes dyd neuer sée any of them.

The _Indians_ by theyr olde Pictures doe paynt those Gryphons to haue a kynde of heare and no feathers, and also affirme, that with theyr talandes & téeth they breake mens bones. They haue the courage of a Lion and the countenaunce of an Egle: they paynte him with foure féete, and téeth, with a kinde of downe more lyke woolle than feathers, with his beake, talandes and wings.

And in all those things the picture agreeth with our paynting and wryting, in suche sorte that a Gryphon is no approued naturall Foule, nor yet beast. _Plinie_ iudgeth this tale of Gryphons to be lies. There are also other Lordes that giue the Gryphon in their armes, flying with a harte in his Talandes.

A house of Foule, vvhiche vvere onely _preserued for their feathers_.

_Mvtezuma_ had another house, with very good lodgings and fayre gallaries, buylt vpö pillers of Iaspe, whiche extendeth towarde a goodly garden, in the whiche there are ten pondes or moe, some of salte water for sea foule, & other some of fresh water for riuer foule and lake foule, which pondes are deuised w^t sluyses to emptie & to fill at their pleasure for the cleannesse of the feathers. There is such a number of foule, that scarcely the ponds may holde them, and of suche diuers kindes bothe in feathers and makyng, as sure it was an admiration for the Spaniardes to beholde, for the moste of them they knew not, nor yet had at any tyme séene the lyke. And to euery kynde of foule they gaue suche bayte as they were wont to féede of in the fieldes or Riuers. There did belong to that house thrée hundred persons of seruice: some were to clense the pondes: other some did fishe for bayte: other some serued them with meate: other did loose them and trimme theyr feathers: others had care to looke to their egges: others to sette them abroode: others cured them when they were sicke: and the principallest office was to plucke the feathers: for of them was made riche Mantels, Tapissarie, Targattes, Tuffes of feathers, and many other things wrought with Golde and Siluer: a most perfite worke.

A house of foule for havvking and other _straunge things_.

There is another house with large quarters & lodgings, which is called a house for foule, not bycause there are more thä in the other, but bycause they bee bigger and to hauke withal, and are foule of rapine, wherfore they are estéemed as more nobler than al the others.

There are in this house many high halles, in the whiche are kept men, women and Children: in some of them are kept suche as are borne white of colour, which doth very seldome happen: in other some are dwarfes, crokebackes, burstenmen, counterfaites, and monstrous persons, in greate number: they say that they vsed to deforme them when they were children, to sette forth the kings greatnesse: euery of these persons were in seuerall Halles by themselues.

In the lower Halles were greate Cages made of Tymber: in some of them were Lyons, in other Tygres, in other Ownzes, in others Wolues: in conclusion, there was no foure footed beaste that wanted there, onely to the effect that the mightie _Mutezuma_ might say that hee had such things in his house.

They were fed with their ordinary, as Gynea cockes, Deare, Dogges, and such like.

There was also in other Halles great Earthen vessels, some with earth, and some with water, wherin were snakes, as grosse as a mans thigh, Vipers, Crocodrilles, whiche they cal _Caymanes_, or _Lizarts_ of twenty foote long, wyth suche Scales and head as a Dragon hathe: Also other little Lisarts, and other venemous beastes and Serpentes as well of the water as of the land, a terrible sight for the lokers on.

There were also other Cages for foule of rapyne of all sortes, as Hawkes, Kyghtes, Boyters, and at the least nine or ten kind of Haukes. This house of foule had of dayly allowance fiue hundred Gynea cockes, and thrée hundred men of seruice, besides the Falconers and Hunters, which are infinite. There were many other sortes of Foules that our men knowe not, which séemed by theyr beake and talents good to Hauke withal.

To the Snakes and other venemous beastes they gaue the bloude of men sacrifised, to féede them, and some saye they gaue vnto them mannes fleshe, whych the greate Lysarts doe eate very well. The Spaniardes saw the floure couered with bloud like a iealy in a slaughter house, it stonke horribly.

It was straunge to sée the officers in this house howe euery one was occupied. Our men tooke greate pleasure in beholding suche straunge thyngs, but they coulde not awaye wyth the roaryng of the Lyons, the fearefull hissing of the Snakes and Adders, the dolefull howling and barking of the Wolues, the sorowfull yelling of the Ownzes & Tigres, when they would haue meate.

Moste certaine, in the nighte season it séemed a Dongeon of Hell, and a dwelling place of the Deuill, and euen so it was indéede, for neare at hande was a Hall of a hüdred & fiftie foote long, and thirtie foote broad, where was a Chappel with the Roofe of siluer and gold in leafe Wainescotted, and decked with greate store of pearle and stone, as Agattes, Cornerines, Emeraldes, Rubies, and diuerse other sortes, and thys was the Oratory where _Mutezuma_ prayed in the nighte season, and in that chappell the Diuell did appeare vnto hym, and gaue him answere accordyng to his prayers.

He had other houses lyke vnto Barnes, onely for the feathers of foules, and for mantels whiche procéeded of his rentes and tributes, a thing muche to be séene: vpon the dores was sette his armes, whiche was a Connie.

Here dwelled the chiefe officers of his house, as Tresorer, Controller, Receyuers and other officers appertainyng to the Kings reuenewes. _Mutezuma_ had no house wherein was not an oratory for the Deuill, whome they worshipped for the Iewels there. And therefore those houses were great and large.

The Armory of Mutezuma.

_Mvtezuma_ had some houses of Armour, vpon the dores wherof stoode a bow and arrowes. In these houses was greate store of all kinde of munition whiche they vse in their wars: as Bowes, Arrowes, Slings, Launces, Dartes, Clubbes, Swordes and Bucklers, and gallant Targettes more trimme than strong, Skulles and Splintes, but not many, and al made of woodde, gilte or couered with leather. The woodde whereof they make their Armour and Targettes, is very harde and strong, for they vse to toaste it at the fire, and at their arrowe endes they inclose a litle péece of flinte stone, or a péece of a fishe bone called _Libisa_, and that is venemous, for if any bée hurte therewith and the head remayne in the wounde, it so festereth, that it is almost incurable.

Theyr swordes are of woodde, and the edge thereof is flint stone, inclosed or ioyned into a staffe, with a certaine kynde of glew whiche is made of a roote called _Zacole_ and _Teuxalli_, whiche is a kinde of strong sande, whereof they make a mixture, and after kneade it with bloud of Battes or Rearemice and other foule, which doth glewe maruelous strong, and lightly neuer vncleaueth: of this stuffe they make nayles, pearcers, & ogars, wherwith they bore timber & stone: with theyr swordes they cut speares, yea and a horse necke at a blowe, and make dentes into iron, whiche séemeth a thing vnpossible and incredible. In the Citie no man may weare weapon, but onely in warres, huntyng, and among the kings Guarde.

The Gardens of Mutezuma.

Besides the foresayde houses hée had many others for hys onely recreation and passetyme, with excellent fayre gardens of medicinall hearbes, swéete floures, and trées of delectable sauour, whiche were many, and a thing to gyue prayse to God the maker and creator of all.

In that Garden were a thousande personages, made and wrought artificially of leaues and flowers. _Mutezuma_ woulde not permitte that in this Garden shoulde be any kynde of potte Hearbes, or thyngs to be solde, saying, that it dyd not appertayne to Kings to haue thyngs of profite among theyr delytes and pleasures, for suche thyngs (sayde hée) dyd appertayne to Merchants.

Yet notwithstanding he had Orchards with many and sundry fruites, but they stoode farre from the Cittie, and whyther seldome times hee wente: he had likewise out of _Mexico_ pleasaunte houses in wooddes and forrestes, of greate compasse, enuyroned with water, in the which he hadde fountaynes, riuers, pondes with fishe, warrantes of Conneys, rockes & couert where were Harts, Buckes, Hares, Foxes, Wolues, and such like, with wildernesse for euery sort.

To these places the Lords of _Mexico_, vsed to goe and sporte themselues, suche and so manye were the houses of _Mutezuma_, wherein fewe Kings were equall with him.

The court and Guarde of _Mutezuma_.

He had dayly attending vppon hym in hys priuye garde sixe hundred noble men and gentlemen, and eche of them thrée or foure seruants, and some hadde twenty seruaunts or moe, according to his estate: and in this maner he had thrée thousand men attendant in his court, and some affirm more, al the which were fed in his house of the meate that came from his table.

The seruing men alwayes abode belowe in the court all the daye, and wente not from thence tyll after Supper.

It is to be thought that his Guard was the greater, bycause the straungers were there, although in effecte of troth it is most certayne, that all the Lords that are vnder the _Mexicall_ Empire (as they say) are thirtie persons of high estate, who are able to make each of them a hundred thousand men. There are thrée thousand Lordes of Townes, who haue many vassals.

These noble menne did abide in _Mexico_ certayne tyme of the yeare, in the Court of _Mutezuma_, and could not departe from thence without especiall licence of the Emperoure, leauing each of them a sonne or brother behinde them for securitie or Rebellion, and for this cause they had generally houses in the Citie: such and so great was the court of _Mutezuma_.

The great subiection of the Indians _to their King_.

There is not in all the dominions of _Mutezuma_ any subiect that payeth not tribute vnto him. The noblemen paye theyr tribute in personall seruice. The husbädmen called _Maceualtin_, with body & goodes. In this sort they are eyther tenauntes, or else heyres to their possessions. Those which are heyres, do pay one third part of all their fruite and commoditie that they doe reape or bring vp, as Dogges, Hennes, Foule, Conyes, Gold, Siluer, Stones, Salt, Waxe, Honey, Mantels, Feathers, Cotten, and a certayne fruite called _Cacao_, that serueth for money, and also to eate. Also all kinde of grayne, and garden Herbes and fruites, whereof they do maynteyne themselues.

The Tenantes doe paye monethly or yearely as they can agrée, and bycause their tribute is greate, they are called slaues, for when they maye haue licence to eate egges, they thinke it a greate fauour. It was reported that they were taxed what they shoulde eate, and all the residue was taken from them. They went very poorely clothed, yea and the most of their treasure was an earthë potte, wherein they boyled theyr herbes, a couple of Milstones to grinde their Corne, and a matte to lye vppon. They did not onely pay this rente and tribute, but also serued with their bodyes at all times when the great King should commaunde. They were in such great subiectiö to their prince, that they durst not speake one word, although their daughters shoulde be taken from them to be vsed at their pleasure. It was reported, that of euerye thrée sonnes, they deliuered one to be sacrifised, but y^e report was false, for if it had bin true, the Townes had not bin so replenished with people as they were: and also the noble men did not eate mans flesh, but only of those whiche were sacrifised, and they were slaues or prisoners taken in the warres. Assuredly they were cruell butchers, and slewe yearely for that bloudy sacrifice many menne, and some children, but not so many as was reported. All the aforesayde rentes they brought to _Mexico_ vpon theyr backes and in boates, I meane so much as was necessary for the prouision of the house and Courte of _Mutezuma_, all the residue was spente among souldyers, and bartred for golde, plate, precious stones, and other riche Iewels, estéemed of Princes, all the whiche was broughte to the treasory. In _Mexico_ was large and greate barnes and houses to receyue and kéepe the Corne for prouision of the Citie, with officers and vnderofficers, who did receyue the same, and kepte accompte thereof in bookes of paynted figures. Also in euerye Towne was a receyuer, who bare in his hand a rodde or a bushe of feathers, and those gaue vp their accomptes in _Mexico_. If any such had bin taken with deceypt and falsehoode, death was his reward, yea and his kinred punished with penalties, as of a lignage of a Traytor to his Prince. The Husbandmenne, if they payd not well their tribute, were apprehended for the same, and if they were founde to bée poore through sicknesse and infirmitie, then they were borne withall, but if they were found to be lazie and slouthfull, they should be vsed accordingly: but in conclusion, if they payde if not at a daye appoynted, then they shoulde bée solde for slaues to pay their dette, or else be sacrificed.

There were many other prouinces, whiche paid a certayne portion, and reknowledged seruice, but this tribute was more of honor than profite. In this sort _Mutezuma_ had more than sufficiente to prouide his house & warres, and to heape vp greate store in his treasory. Moreouer, he spente nothing in the buildings of his houses, for of long time he had certayne townes that payd no other tribute, but only to worke and repayre continually his houses at their owne proper cost, and payde all kind of workemen, carrying vpon their backes, or drawing in sleddes, stone, lyme, timber, water, and all other necessaries for the worke. Likewise they were bounde to prouide all the fierwod that should be spent in the Court, whiche was a great thing, and did amount to 230. hüdred waight a day, which was fiue hundred mens burthens, and some dayes in the winter much more. And for the Kings Chimneys they brought the barke of Oke trées, whiche was best estéemed for the light thereof, for they were greate sorcerers. _Mutezuma_ had 100. cities with their prouinces, of whome he receiued rentes, tributes, & vassalage, where he mainteined garrison of souldiers, & had treasorers in each of thë. His dominiö did extend from the North sea to the South sea, & 600. miles in lögitude within the maine läd, although in very déed ther were some towns, as _Tlaxcallö_, _Mechuacan_, _Panuco_, and _Teocantepec_, whiche were his enimies, and payde him neyther tribute nor seruice: but yet the ransome was muche, when any of them were taken.

Also there were other kings and noble men, as of _Tezcuco_ and _Tlacopan_, which were not in subiection vnto him, but onely in homage and obedience, for they were of his owne lignage, vnto whome _Mutezuma_ married hys daughters.

The scituation of Mexico.

_Mexico_ at the time when _Cortes_ entred, was a Citie of sixtye thousande houses. The Kings house and other noble mens houses were great, large, and beautifull, the others were small and roynish, without eyther dores or windowes: and although they were small, yet there dwelled in some of them two, thrée, yea and tenne persons, by reason whereof, the Citie was wonderfully replenished with people.

This Citie is built vpon the water, euen in the same order as _Venice_ is. All the body of the Citie standeth in a greate large lake of water. There is thrée sortes of stréetes very broade and fayre, the one sorte are onely of water, with many bridges, an other sort of onely earth, and the thirde of earth and water, that is to saye, the one halfe earth to walke vpon, and the other halfe for boates to bring prouision of all sorts. These stréetes are kepte alwayes cleane, and the moste parte of the houses haue two dores, the one towarde the calsey, and the other towarde the water, at the whiche they take boate to goe where they list. And although this Citie is founded vppon water, yet the same water is not good to drynke, wherefore there is broughte by conduit water from a place called _Chapultepec_, thrée myles distant from the Citie, which springeth out of a little hill, at the foote whereof standeth two Statues or couered Images wrought in stone, with their Targettes and Launces, the one is of _Mutezuma_, and the other of _Axaiaca_ his father.

The water is broughte from thence in two pypes or Canalls in greate quantitie, and when the one is foule, then all the water is conuayed into the other, til the first be made cleane. From this fountayne al the whole Citie is prouided, so that they goe selling the same water from stréete to stréete in little boates, and doe paye a certayne tribute for the same.

This Citie is deuided into two stréetes, the one was called _Tlatelulco_, that is to say, a litle Iland, and the other _Mexico_, where _Mutezuma_ his dwelling and courte was, & is to be interpreted a spring. This stréete is the fayrest and most principall, and bycause of the Kings pallace there, the Citie was named _Mexico_, although the old and first name of the Citie was _Tenuchtitlan_, whiche doth signifie fruite out of stone, for the name is compounded of _Tetl_, which is, stone, and _Nuchtli_, which is fruite, called in _Cuba_, _Tunas_. The trée that beareth this fruite, is named _Nopal_, and is nothing almost but leaues of a foote broade and round, and thrée ynches thicke, some more, and some lesse, according to the growth, full of thornes whiche are venemous: the leafe is gréene, and the thorne or pricke russet. After that it is planted, it encreaseth, growing leafe vnto leafe, and the foote thereof commeth to bée as the body of a trée, and one leafe dothe not onely produce another at the poynt, but at the sides of the same leaues procéedeth other leaues: And bycause héere in _Spayne_ is of the same trées and fruite, it néedeth no further description.

In some prouinces where water is scante, they vse to drynke the iuice of these leaues. The fruite thereof called _Nuchtli_, is lyke vnto fygges, and euen so hathe hys little kernels or graynes within, but they are somewhat larger, and crowned lyke vnto a Medler. There are of them of sundrye coloures, some are gréene without, and Carnationlike within, which haue a good tast. Others are yellowe, and others white, and some speckled: the best sort are the white: it is a fruite that will last long.

Some of them tasteth of peares, and other some of Grapes: it is a colde and fresh fruite, and best estéemed in the heate of Sommer. The _Spanyardes_ doe more estéeme them than the _Indians_. The more the grounde is laboured where they growe, the fruite is so muche the better.

There is yet another kinde of this fruite redde, and that is nothing estéemed, although his tast is not euill, but bycause it dothe coloure and dye the eaters mouth, lippes, and apparell, yea and maketh his vryne looke like pure bloud. Many _Spanyardes_ at their first comming into _India_, and eating this fruite, were in a maze, and at their wittes ende, thinking that all the bloud in their bodyes came out in vryne: yea and manye Phisitions at theyr first comming were of the same beliefe: for it hathe happened, when they haue bin sent for vnto such as haue eaten this fruite, they not knowing the cause, and beholding the vryne, by and by they ministred medicine to staunch bloud: surely a thing to laugh at, to sée the Phisitions so deceyued. Of this fruite _Nuchtli_ and _Tetl_, which is a stone, is compounded _Tenuchtlitan_. When this Citie was begunne to bée founded, it was placed néere vnto a great stone that stoode in the middest of the lake, at the foote whereof grewe one of these _Nopal_ trées, and therefore _Mexico_ giueth for armes and deuise the foote of a _Nopal_ trée springing from a stone, according to the Cities name.

Others do affirme, that this Citie hathe the name of his first founder, called _Tenuch_, béeyng the seconde sonne of _Iztacmixcoatl_, whose sonnes and descendentes did first inhabite thys lande of _Ananac_, called nowe newe _Spayne_.

Howsoeuer the opinions are, certayne it is that the scituation is called _Tenuchtlitan_, and the dwellers there _Tenuchca Mexico_.

_Mexico_ is as much to say, as a spring or fountayne, according to the propertie of the vowell and spéech.

Others doe affirme, that _Mexico_ hathe his name of a more auntiente time, whose firste founders were called _Mexiti_, for vnto this day the _Indian_ dwellers in one strete of this citie are called of _Mexica_. The _Mexiti_ tooke name of their principallest Idoll called _Mexitli_, who was in as greate veneration as _Vitzilopuchtli_, God of the warre.

_Mexico_ is enuironed with swéete water, and hathe thrée wayes to come vnto it by calsey, the one is from the West, and that calsey is a mile and a halfe long. Another from the North, and conteyneth thrée myles in length. Eastwarde the Citie hathe no entrye. But Southwarde the Calsey is syxe myles long, whyche was the waye that _Cortez_ entred into the Citie.

The lake that _Mexico_ is planted in, although it séemeth one, yet it is two, for the one is of water saltishe, bitter, and pestiferous, and no kinde of fyshe lyueth in it. And the other water is wholesome, good and swéete, and bringeth forth small fishe.

The salte water ebbeth and floweth, accordyng to the winde that bloweth. The swéete water standeth higher, so that the good water falleth into the euill, and reuerteth not backward, as some hold opinion. The salt lake conteyneth fiftéene miles in breadth and fiftéene in length, and more than fiue and fortie in circuite, and the lake of swéete water conteyneth euen as muche, in such sort, that the whole lake conteyneth more than thirtie leagues, and hath about fiftie townes scituated round about it, many of whyche Townes doe conteyne fiue thousand housholdes, and some tenne thousande, yea and one Towne called _Tezcuco_, is as bigge as _Mexico_. Al this lake of water springeth out of a Mountayne that standeth within sight of _Mexico_. The cause that the one part of the lake is brackishe or saltish, is, that the bottome or ground is all salte, and of that water greate quantitie of salt is dayly made.

In this greate lake are aboue two hundred thousande little boates, which the _Indians_ call _Acalles_, and the _Spanyardes_ call them _Canoas_, according to the spéeche of _Cuba_ and _Santo Domingo_, wrought like a kneding trough: some are bigger than other some, according to the greatenesse of the body of y^e trée whereof they are made. And where I number two hüdred thousand of these boates, I speake of the least, for _Mexico_ alone hathe aboue fiftie thousande ordinarily to carrie and bring vnto the Citie victuall, prouision, and passengers, so that on the market day all y^e stréetes of water are full of them.

The Market place of Mexico.

The Market is called in the _Indian_ tong _Tlanquiztli_: euery parish hath his Market place to buy and sel in: but _Mexico_, and _Tlatelulco_ only, which are y^e chiefest cities, haue great fayres and places fitte for the same, and especiallye _Mexico_ hath one place where most dayes in the yeare is buying and selling, but euery fourth day is the greate Market ordinaryly: and the like custome is vsed throughout the dominions of _Mutezuma_.

This place is wide and large, compassed round about with dores, and is so great, that a hundered thousand persons come thither to choppe and change, as a Cittie most principall in all that region. Wherefore the resort is frö farre parties vnto that place. Euery occupatiö and kinde of Marchädise hath his proper place appointed, which no other may by any means occupy or disturbe. Likewise pesterous wares haue their place accordinglye, (that is to say) stone, timber, lyme, bricke, and all kinde of stuffe vnwrought, being necessarie to buylde withall. Also mattes both fine and course of sundry workemanship, also coles, woodde, and all sorts of Earthen vessell glazed and painted very curiously: Deare skinnes both rawe and tanned in haire and without haire, of many colours, for shoomakers, for bucklers, Targets, Ierkins, and lyning of woodden Corselets: also skinnes of other beastes and foule in feathers ready dressed of all sortes, the colours and straungnesse thereof was a thing to behold. The richest Marchandise was salte, and mantels of Cotten wolle of diuers colours, both great and small, some for beddes, others for garments and clothing, other for Tapissarie to hang houses, other cotten clothe for linnen breaches, shirtes, table clothes, towels, napkins, and suche like things.

There were also Mantels made of the leaues of the trée called _Metl_, and of Palme trée, & Connie heare, which are wel estéemed, being very warm, but y^e couerlets made of feathers are the best: they sell thréede made of Connie heare, péeces of linnen clothe made of cotten wolle, also skaynes of thréede of all colours: also it is straunge to sée the great store of poultrie that is brought to that market, and although they eate the fleshe of the foule, yet the feathers serue for clothing, mixyng one sorte with another. There are of these foule so many sortes and seuerall colours, that I can not number them: some wilde, some tame, some water foule, and other some of rapine. All the brauery of the market, is the place where golde and feathers ioyntly wrought is solde, for any thyng that is in request is there liuely wrought in golde and feathers and gallant colours. The _Indians_ are so expert and perfite in this science, that they will worke or make a Butterflie, any wilde beaste, trées, roses, floures, hearbes, rootes or any other thyng so liuely, that it is a thyng maruelous to behold. It hapneth many tymes that one of these workemen in a whole day will eate nothyng, onely to place one feather in his dew perfection, turnyng and tossing the feather to the lighte of the Sunne, into the shade or darke place, to sée where is his moste naturall perfection, and till his worke be finished he will neyther eate nor drinke. There are few nations of so muche fleame or sufferance. The Arte or Science of Goldsmiths among them is the moste curious, and very good workemanship engrauen with toles made of flinte, or in moulde. They will caste a platter in moulde with eight corners, and euery corner of seuerall mettall, that is to say, the one of golde, and the other of siluer, without any kinde of sowder: they will also founde or cast a litle caudren with lose handles hangyng thereat, as we vse to caste a Bell: they will also caste in mould a fish of mettal with one scale of siluer on his back and another of gold: they will make a Parret or Popingay of mettall, that his tongue shall shake, and his head moue, & his wings flutter: they wil caste an Ape in mold, that both hands & féete shall stirre, & holde a spindle in his hande séeming to spinne, yea and an apple in his hande as though he would eate it. Our Spaniardes were not a litle amazed at the sight of these things, for our Goldsmithes are not to be compared vnto them. They haue skil also of Amell worke, and to sette any pretious stone. But now as touchyng the markette, there is sell Golde, Siluer, Copper, Leadde, Latton, and Tinne, although there is but little of the thrée laste mettals mentioned. There are Pearles, Pretious stones, diuers and sundry sortes of Shelles, and Bones, Sponges, and other pedlers ware, whiche certainely are many and straunge sortes, yea and a thing to laughe at their Haberdashe toyes and trifles. There are also many kinde of hearbes, rootes, and séedes, as well to be eaten as for Medicine, for bothe men, wemen and chyldren haue great knowledge in hearbes, for through pouertie and necessitie, they séeke them for theyr sustenaunce and helpe of theyr infirmities and diseases. They spende little among Phisitions, although there are some of that Arte, and many Poticaries, who doe bryng into the markette, oyntments, Siroppes, waters, and other drugges fitte for sicke Persons: they cure all diseases almost, with hearbes, yea as muche as for to kill lyse they haue a proper hearbe for the purpose.

The seuerall kyndes of meates to be solde is without number, as Snakes without head & tayle, little Dogges gelte, Moules, Rattes, Long wormes, Lyse, yea and a kinde of earth, for at one season in the yéere they haue Nettes of mayle with the which they rake vp a certayne duste that is bredde vpon the water of the lake of _Mexico_, and that is knéeded togither like vnto oas of the sea: they gather much of this victuall, & kéepe it in heapes, & make thereof cakes like vnto brickebats: they sell not only this ware in y^e market, but also send it abroad to other fayres & markets a far of: they eat this meate w^t as good stomake as we eate chéese, yea and they holde opinion that this skume or fatnesse of the water, is y^e cause that such great number of foule cömeth to the lake, which in the winter season is infinite.

They sel in this market venison by quarters or whole, as Does, Hares, Connies, and Dogges, and many other beastes, which they bring vp for the purpose, and take in huntyng. There are a great number of shoppes that sell all kinde of orfall and tripes. It is a wonder to sée how so much meate ready dressed coulde be spent. There is also fleshe and fishe rosted, boyled and baked, Pies and Custardes made of diuers sortes of egges, the great quantitie of bread is without number. Also corne of all sortes threshed and vnthreshed. The greate store of sundry kyndes of fruytes is maruellous which are there solde, bothe gréene and ripe: there is one sorte as bigge as Almondes called _Cacao_, whiche is both meate and currant money. There are diuers kind of colours to be solde, whiche they make of Roses, floures, fruites, barkes of trées, and other things very excellent: they sell there Honie of sundry kindes, oyle of _Chian_, made of a séede like vnto mustarde séede, and oynting any paynted clothe therewith, the water can not hurte it, they also dresse therwith their meate, although they haue both butter and larde. Theyr sundry sortes of wines shalbe declared in an other place: it woulde be a prolixious thing to rehearse all the things that are to be solde in that markette. There are in this fayre many Artificers, as Packers, Barbars, Cutlers, & may others, although it was thought that among these _Indians_ were none such. All the things recited, and many others which I speake not of, are solde in euery market of _Mexico_, all the sellers paye a certaine summe for theyr shops or städings to the King, as a custome, & they to be preserued and defended from théeues: and for that cause there goe certayne Sergeants or officers vp & downe the market to espie out malefactours. In the middest of the market standeth a house whiche may be séene throughout the fayre, & there sitteth twelue auncient men for iudges to dispatch lawe matters: their buying and selling is to chaunge one ware for another, as thus, one giueth a hen for a bundell of _Maiz_, other giue mantels for salte, or money whiche is _Cacao_, and this is theyr order to choppe and chaunge: they haue measure and strike for all kynde of corne, and other earthen measures for Hony and Wine, and if any measure be falsified, they punish the offenders and breake their measures.

The great Temple of Mexico.

The Temple is called _Teucalli_, that is to say, Gods house, _Teutl_ signifieth God, & _Calli_ is a house, a vowell very fitte, if that house had bene of the true God. The Spaniards that vnderstäd not the language, do pronounce and call those Temples _Cues_, and the God _Vitzilopuchtli_, _Vchilobos_. There are in _Mexico_ many parishe churches, with towres, wherein are chappels and Altares where the images & idols do stande, & those chappels do serue for burial places of their founders, and the Parishioners are buried in the Churchyarde. All their tëples are of one fashion, therefore it shal be nowe sufficient to speake of the cathedral church. And euen as those tëples are al in generall of one making in that citie. I doe beleue that the lyke was neuer séene nor heard off. This temple is square, & doth containe euery way as much ground as a crossebow can reach leuell: it is made of stone, with foure dores that abutteth vpon the thrée calseys, and vpon an other parte of the Cittie, that hath no calsey but a fayre streate.

[Sidenote: A straunge dore.]