Chapter VIII: Part 8

In the middest of this Quadern standeth a mount of earth and stone square lykewise, and fiftie fadom long euery way, buylte vpward like vnto a pyramide of Egipt, sauyng the toppe is not sharpe, but playne and flatte, and tenne fadom square: vppon the weast side, were steppes vp to the toppe, in number an hundreth and fourtene, whiche beyng so many, high, and made of good stone dyd séeme a beautifull thing. It was a straunge sight to beholde the Priestes, some goyng vp, and some downe with ceremonies, or with men to be sacrificed. Vpon the toppe of this Temple are two great Alters, a good space distant the one from the other, and so nigh the edge or brimme of the wall, that scarcely a man mought go behind them at pleasure. The one Alter standeth on the right hande, & the other on the left, they were but of fiue foote highe, eche of them had the backe part made of stone, paynted with möstrous and foule figures, the Chappell was fayre & well wrought of Masons worke & timber, euery Chappell had thrée loftes one aboue another, susteyned vpon pillers, & with y^e height thereof it shewed like vnto a fayre tower, and beautified the Cittie a farre of: from thence a man mought sée all the cittie and townes rounde aboute the lake, whiche was vndoubtedly a goodly prospect. And bycause _Cortes_ & his company shoulde sée the beautie therof, _Mutezuma_ brought him thither, and shewed hym all the order of the Temple, euen from the foote to the toppe. There was a certaine plot of space for the idoll priests to celebrate their seruice without disturbance of any. Their general prayers were made toward y^e rising of the sunne. Vpon ech alter standeth a great idoll. Beside this tower that standeth vpö the pyramide, there are fourtie towers great & small belonging to other little tëples which stand in the same circuite, the which although they were of the same making, yet theyr prospect was not westwarde, but otherwayes, bicause there should be a difference betwixte the great temple & them. Some of these Temples were bigger than others, and euery one of a seuerall God, among the whiche there was one rounde temple dedicated to the God of the ayre called _Quecalcouatl_, for euen as the ayre goeth rounde aboute the heauens, euen for that consideration they made his temple rounde. The entraunce of that Temple had a dore made lyke vnto the mouth of a Serpent, and was paynted with foule and Diuelish gestures, with great téeth & gummes wrought, whiche was a thing to feare those that should enter in thereat, & especially the Christians vnto whom it represented very Hel with that ougly face and monsterous téeth.

There were other _Teucalles_ in the citie, that had the ascending vp by steps in thrée places: all these temples had houses by thëselues with all seruice & priests & particular Gods. At euery dore of the great temple standeth a large Hall & goodly lodgings, both high and lowe round about, which houses were cömon armouries for the Citie, for the force and strength of euery towne is the temple, and therfore they haue there placed their storehouse of munition. They had other darke houses full of idols, greate & small, wrought of sundry mettals, they are all bathed and washed with bloud, and do shewe very blacke through theyr dayly sprinklyng and anoynting thë with the same, when any man is sacrificed: yea & the walles are an inche thicke with bloud, and the grounde is a foote thicke of bloud, so that there is a diuelish stench. The Priests or Ministers goe daylye into those Oratories, and suffer none others but great personages to enter in. Yea and when any such goeth in, they are bounde to offer some man to be sacrificed, that those bloudy hangmen and ministers of the Diuell may washe their handes in bloud of those so sacrificed, and to sprinkle their house therewith.

For their seruice in the kitchin they haue a ponde of water that is filled once a yéere, which is brought by conduct from the pryncipal fountayne. All the residue of the foresayde circuite serueth for places to bréede foule, with gardens of hearbes and swéete trees, with Roses and floures for the Altars. Such, so great & straunge was this temple of _Mexico_, for the seruice of the Diuell who had deceiued those simple _Indians_. There dothe reside in the same temple continually fiue thousand persons, and all they are lodged and haue theyr liuing there, for that tëple is maruellous riche, & hath diuers townes onely for their maintenaunce and reparation, and are bounde to sustayne the same alwayes on foote. They doe sowe corne, and maintayne all those fiue thousande persons with bread, fruyte, flesh, fishe, and firewoodde as much as they néede, for they spende more fire woodde than is spent in the kings courte: these persons doe liue at their hartes ease, as seruauntes and vassals vnto the Goddes. _Mutezuma_ brought _Cortes_ to this temple, bicause his men shoulde sée the same, and to enforme them of his religion and holinesse, wherof I will speake in an other place, being the most straunge and cruellest that euer was heard off.

The Idols of Mexico.

The Gods of _Mexico_, were two thousand in number, as the _Indians_ reported, the chiefest were _Vitcilopuchtli_ and _Tezcatlipuca_, whose images stoode highest in the Temple vppon the Altars: they were made of stone in ful proportion as bigge as a Gyant. They were couered with a lawne called _Nacar_. These images were besette with pearles, precious stones, & péeces of gold, wrought like birds, beasts, fishes, and floures, adorned with Emeralds, Turquies, Calcedons, and other little fine stones, so that when the lawne _Nacar_ was taken away, the Images séemed very beautifull to beholde.

[Sidenote: A vvicked attire.]

The Image had for a girdle great snakes of gold, and for collors or chaynes about their neckes, ten hartes of men, made of golde, and each of those Idolles had a counterfaite visor with eies of glasse, and in their necks death painted: eache of these things hadde their considerations and meanings. These two Goddes were brethren, for _Tezcatlipuca_ was the God of Prouidence, and _Vitcilopuchtli_ God of the warres, who was worshipped and feared more than all the rest.

[Sidenote: A madde offering.]

There was another God, who hadde a greate Image placed vppon the toppe of the Chappell of Idols, and hée was estéemed for a speciall and singular God aboue all the rest. This God was made of all kinde of séedes that groweth in that Countrey, and being ground, they made a certayne past, tempered with childrens bloud, and Virgins sacrifised, who were opened with their razures in the breastes, and their heartes taken out, to offer as first fruites vnto the Idoll. The Priestes and Ministers doe consecrate this Idoll with great pomp and many Ceremonies. All the _Comarcans_ and Citizens are presente at the consecration, with great triumph and incredible deuotion. After the consecration, many devoute persons came and sticked in the dowy Image precious stones, wedges of golde, and other Iewels. After all this pomp ended, no secular man mought touche that holye Image, no nor yet come into his Chappell, nay scarcely religious persons, except they were _Tlamacaztli_, who are Priestes of order. They doe renue this Image many times wyth new dough, taking away the olde, but then blessed is hée that can get one péece of the olde ragges for relikes, and chiefly for souldyers, who thought themselues sure therwith in the warres. Also at the consecration of thys Idoll, a certayne vessell of water was blessed with manye wordes and ceremonyes, and that water was preserued very religiously at the foote of the altar, for to consecrate the King when he should be crowned, and also to blesse any Captayne generall, when he shoulde be elected for the warres, with only giuing him a draught of that water.

The Charnell house or place of dead _mens sculles for remembrance of death_.

VVithout the temple, and ouer againste the principall dore thereof, a stones cast distant, standeth the Charnell house onely of dead mens heads prisoners in warres and sacrifised with the knife.

This monument was made like vnto a Theatre, more larger than broade, wrought of lyme and stone, with ascending steppes, in the walles whereof was graffed betwixt stone and stone a skul with the téeth outwards.

At the foote and head of this Theatre, were two Towers, made only of lime and skulles, the téeth outwarde, and this wall hauing no other stuffe, séemed a straunge sight. At and vppon the toppe of the Theatre, were 70. polles, standing the one from the other foure or fiue foote distant, and eache of them was full of staues from the foote to the toppe. Each of these staues had others made fast vnto them, so that euery of them had fiue skulles broched through the temples. _Andrewe de Tapia_ did certifie me, that he and _Gonsalo de Vmbria_ dyd recken them in one daye, and founde a hundred thirtie and sixe thousande skulles on the polles, staues, and steppes. The other Towers were replenished out of number, a most cruell custome, being only mens heads slaine in sacrifice, although it hath a shewe of humanitie for the remembrance there placed of death. There are also men appoynted, that when one skull falleth, to set vp another in his place, so that the number may neuer want.

Hovv Cortez tooke Mutezuma _prisoner_.

_Hernando Cortez_ and his companye, were sixe dayes in beholding and perusing the scituation of the Citie, and secretes of the same, with the notable thinges before rehearsed: they were often visited by _Mutezuma_, & the Gentlemen of hys Courte, and abundantly prouided of things necessarye for his vse, and the _Indians_ of his company.

[Sidenote: A svveete bedde.]

[Sidenote: Determination of Cortez.]

Likewise his Horses were cherished and serued with gréene barley and grasse, whereof there is plentie all the yeare: Likewise of corne, meale, roses, and of all thynges that their owners would request, in so much that beddes of floures were made for them in place of litter. But yet notwithstanding, although they were in this sorte cherished, and also lodged in so riche a Countrey, where they mighte fyll their purses, they were not yet all contente and merrie, but rather with great feare and care, especially _Cortes_, who hadde the onely care as head and chiefe Captayne for the defence of hys fellowes, hée (I saye) was pensiue, noting the scituation of the Citie, the infinite number of people, the state and maiestie of _Mexico_, yea and some disquietnesse of hys owne companye, who woulde come and laye vnto hys charge the snare and nette that they were in, thynkyng it a thyng vnpossible that anye of them coulde escape, if _Mutezuma_ were therevnto determined, or else with the least muteny in the worlde, that mought be raysed in the Citie, although that euery inhabitant shoulde throw but one stone at them, or else to breake vp the drawbridges, or withdrawing their victuals, things verye easie to bée done. With this greate care that he had of the preseruation of his fellowes, and to remedie the perill and daunger that he stoode in, he determined to apprehëd _Mutezuma_, and to builde foure Foystes to haue the lake in subiection, which he hadde tofore ymagined, and without the apprehension of the King, he coulde not come by the Kingdome: he would very gladly haue buylt the Foystes out of hand, but he left off that pretence, only bycause he would not delay the emprisonment of _Mutezuma_, wherein consisted the effect of all his businesse, so that forthwith he minded to put in execution his intent, without gyuing any of his company to vnderstand thereof.

[Sidenote: Treasory of Mutezuma.]

The quarrell wherewith he had armed himselfe for that purpose, was, that the Lorde _Qualpopoca_ hadde slayne nine _Spanyardes_: likewise encouraged him the greate presumption of his letters written to the Emperour _Charles_ his king, wherein he wrote that he would take _Mutezuma_ prisoner, and dispossesse him of his Empyre. These causes considered, he tooke the letters of _Pedro Hircio_, wherein was written, how _Qualpopoca_ was the cause of the death of nine _Spanyardes_, and put those letters into his pocket, and walking vp and downe his lodging, tossyng too and fro these ymaginations in his brayne, full of care of the great enterprise that he had in hande, yea he hymselfe iudging the matter doubtfull, and his head béeyng in this sort occupyed, he chanced to espye one wall more whiter than the rest, and beholding the same, he sawe that it was a dore lately dammed vp, & callyng vnto him two of his seruaunts (for all the residue were asléepe) bycause it was late in the nighte, he opened that dore, and went in, and there found sundry halles, some with Idols, some with gallant feathers, Iewels, precious stones, plate, yea and such an infinite quantitie of golde, that the sight thereof amazed him, and other gallant things that made him to maruell. He shutte thys dore agayne as well as he moughte, withoute touching any part of that treasure, bycause he woulde not make any vprore therabout, nor yet to delay the emprisonment of _Mutezuma_, for that treasure was alwayes there to be had.

The nexte daye in the morning came certayne _Spanyardes_ vnto hym, and manye _Indians_ of _Tlaxcallon_, saying that the Citizens did goe about to conspire their deathe, and to breake downe the bridges of the calseys, to bryng their purpose the better to passe. So that with this newes, béeyng true or false, _Cortes_ left the one halfe of his men to defende and kéepe his lodging, and at euery crosse stréete he planted më, and the residue he sent to the Court by two and two, and thrée and thrée, and he hymselfe came to the pallaice, saying that he must talke wyth _Mutezuma_ of matters that did emport their liues. _Cortes_ was secretely armed. _Mutezuma_ hearyng howe _Cortez_ attended for hym, came forth and receyued him, taking him by the hand, and placed him in his seate. Thirtie _Spanyardes_ wayted vpon _Cortez_, and the residue abode without at the dore.

_Cortez_ saluted _Mutezuma_ according to his accustomed manner, and began to rest and talke merily as hée was wont to do. _Mutezuma_ béeyng carelesse of the thing that Fortune hadde prepared agaynste hym, was also very merrie, and pleased with that conuersation. He gaue vnto _Cortes_ Iewels of golde, and one of his daughters, and other noble mens daughters to others of his company. _Cortes_ receyued the gift, for otherwise it hadde bin a frent vnto _Mutezuma_. But yet he enformed him, that he was a married man, and that he coulde not marrie with his daughter, for the Christian law did not permitte the same, nor yet that any Christian mought haue more than one wife, vppon payne of infamy, and to be marked in the forehead.

After all this talke ended, _Cortez_ tooke the letters of _Pedro Hircio_, and caused them to be interpreted vnto _Mutezuma_, makyng hys grieuous complaynte agaynste _Qualpopoca_, who hadde slayne so many _Spanyardes_ through hys commaundement, yea and that his subiectes had published, that they woulde kill the _Spanyardes_, and breake downe the bridges.

_Mutezuma_ excused himselfe earnestly, as well of the one as of the other, saying, the report giuen out agaynste hys subiectes was false and vntrue, and as for _Qualpopoca_ who had slayne the _Spanyardes_, he was innocent thereof: and bycause that he shoulde sée the troth, he called incontinent certayne of his seruauntes, commaunding thë to goe for _Qualpopoca_, and gaue vnto them his seale, whiche was a stone that he ware at his wrest, engraued with the figure of the God _Vitzilopuchtli_, and the messengers departed therewith incontinent.

_Cortez_ replyed and sayd: My Lord, your highnesse must goe with me to my lodging, and there abide, vntill youre messengers returne with _Qualpopoca_, and the certaynetie of the deathe of my men: In my lodging youre highnesse shall rule and commaund as you do héere in Court, your person shall bée well vsed, wherefore take you no care, for I will haue respecte vnto youre honor, as to myne owne proper, or the honor of my Kyng, beséeching you to pardon me in this my request, for if I shoulde doe otherwise, and dissemble with you, mine own company would be offended with me, saying that I doe not defende them, according to duetie. Wherefore commaund your householde seruauntes to repose themselues without alteration, for be you assured, that if any hurte come vnto me, or vnto anye of mine, youre person shall pay the same with life, considering that it lyeth in youre hand to goe quietly with me.

_Mutezuma_ was sore amazed, saying, Sir, my person is not fytte to be a prisoner, yea, and though I woulde permitte the same, my subiectes would not suffer.

They abode arguing the matter néere foure houres, and at length _Mutezuma_ was content to goe, hauing promise that he should rule and gouerne as he was wont to do. _Cortes_ cömaunded a place in his lodging to be trimmed for him, and he went forthwith thither with _Cortes_. There came many noble men barefooted, wéeping and lamenting the case, carrying their best garmentes vnder their armes, and brought a rich seate, whereon _Mutezuma_ was placed, & they carried hym vpon their shoulders.

[Sidenote: A sorovvful pastime.]

When it was blowen abroade in the Citie that _Mutezuma_ was carried prisoner to the _Spanyards_ lodging, all the Citie was on an vprore: but yet _Mutezuma_ did comfort the Gentlemen that carried and followed him wéeping, praying them to ceasse their lamentation, saying that he was not prisoner, nor yet went with the Chrystians againste his will, but for his onely pleasure. _Cortes_ appointed a _Spanish_ garde for him, with a Captayne, the which he dayly changed, and had _Spanyards_ always in his cöpany to make him pastime. Also poore _Mutezuma_ was cötented with their conuersation, & gaue thë stil rewards. He was serued with his owne seruäts _Indiäs_, as at home in his pallace. _Cortes_ always intreated him to put off sadnes, & to be merrie, permitting him to dispatch suters, & to deale in all affayres of his estate, & to comune and talke openly or secretely with his noble më as he was wont to do, and that was but onely a bayte to bring them to the hooke. There was neuer Greeke nor Romayne, nor any other nation since the name of Kings was ordeyned, dyd gyue y^e lyke enterprise, as _Hernando Cortez_ did, in taking _Mutezuma_ prisoner in his owne house, béeing a most mighty King, & in a most strong fort among infinite people, he hauyng but only 450. companions.

The recreation of Hunting, vvhiche _Mutezuma vsed_.

_Mvtezuma_ had not only al the libertie that he desired in the Citie, béeyng prisoner among the _Spanyardes_, but also _Cortes_ permitted him to hunt and hauke, or to go to the temple, for he was very deuoute, and a great hunter.

When he went a hunting, he was carried vpon mens shoulders with eyght or ten _Spanyards_ in his guard, and thrée thousande _Mexicans_, who were Gentlemen, his seruants, and hunters, of whome he hadde a great number, some to séeke the game, others to beate the couertes, and others to marke. Some of those Hunters were only for hares and connyes, other for all sorts of Déere, Wolues, foxes, and such like. They were very perfite with theyr bowes, and good markemë, for he that missed his marke at fourescore pases distant was punished. It was strange to sée the number of people that wente with him on hunting, and to sée the slaughter of beasts killed, with hande, staues, nettes, and bowes, some of those beastes were tame, and other braue and fearefull, as Lyons, Tigers, and Ounces. It is a harde thing to take a fierce Lion in hunting as they do, being in manner a naked people, and the beast couragious and strong, but yet the Prouerbe saith, slight and cunning is better than strength.

It is a more straunge thyng to take any foule that flieth in the ayre as their Fauconers doe, for after they haue once marked and set eye vpon any foule, the Faulconers of _Mutezuma_ will vnder take to catch him, although the foule be neuer so swifte of wing, beyng at the least so commaunded by the King. It happened one day that _Mutezuma_ stoode in his gallerie with his Guarde of Spanyardes, who had espied a fayre Hauke soryng in the ayre, oh quoth they what a fayre Hauke flieth yonder, _Mutezuma_ hearyng their talke, called vnto him certayne of his Faulconers, commaundyng them to followe that Hauke & to bring him vnto him. The Faulconers wente to fulfill his request, and followed that foule with such diligence, that in shorte space they brought the Hauke vnto him, who presented the same vnto the Spanyards, a thing truely almoste incredible, but yet certified by worde and wrytings of the present witnesses. Their chiefest and most pleasant pastime of Hauking was, of Kightes, Rauens, Crowes, Pies, and other birdes of hardie stomake and slowe in flight, greate and small of all sortes, for the which he had Egles, Buyters, and other foule of rapyne marueylous swifte of wing, and suche as would mounte very high in the ayre, with the whiche they murdered Hares, Wolues, and (as some say) Hartes.

He had other foulers, that vsed Nettes, Snares, and sundry engins. _Mutezuma_ vsed much to shoote in a tronke, and with his bow killed many wilde beastes. His houses of pleasure as I haue before declared, stoode sixe myles from the Citie in pleasant wooddes: and alwayes when he went a huntyng after the tyme that he was prysoner, the same day he would returne agayne to _Cortes_ his lodging, although he banketed & feasted with the Spaniardes at his places of sporting and pastime, and would alwayes at his returne to his lodgyng giue some present vnto thë, that had accompanied him that day.

_Cortes_ seyng the liberalitie of _Mutezuma_, sayde vnto him: sir, my company are vnruly fellowes, and as I vnderstand, they haue founde out some of your treasure, and haue made spoyle thereof: wherfore I would know your pleasure what shal be done with thë. And in effect it was the treasure that _Cortes_ himselfe had founde out. _Mutezuma_ answered, saying, sir that treasure which they haue founde, did appertayne vnto the Goddes: But yet notwithstandyng, let them leaue the feathers, and all suche things as are neyther golde nor siluer, and all the residue take for you and them, and if you will haue more, I will prouide it for you.

Hovv Cortez began to plucke dovvne _the Idols of Mexico_.

VVhen _Mutezuma_ went vnto the temple, he went leaning vpon a noble mans arme, or else was leade betwéene two, and a noble personage wente alwayes before him with thrée small wandes in his hande, signifying thereby that the King in person was there at hand, and in token also of iustice and correction. If he had bene carried vpon mens shoulders then at his alighting downe he tooke one of those roddes into his owne hand. He was a Prince ful of ceremonies in al his doings, but the substaunce of his estate is already declared, from the time that _Cortes_ entred into _Mexico_ vntil this present. Those first dayes that the Spaniardes came to the Citie, & as often as _Mutezuma_ went to the temple, _Indian_ men were slayne in sacrifice. And to prohibite suche adhominable crueltie & sinne, cömitted in the presence of the Christians who wët in company of _Mutezuma_, _Cortes_ required _Mutezuma_ to commmaunde that no mans fleshe should be any more spoyled, or bloud shedde in sacrifice, and in not fulfilling his request, he would destroy bothe the temple and Cittie. Also he signified vnto him, that he himselfe woulde throw downe the idols, before his presence and all the Citizens.

_Mutezuma_ replied to his demaüd, saying: It may please you to leaue of your determination, least that in so doing all the Citie fall into an vprore and rebellion to defende their good Gods, and auncient Religion, the which Gods had alwayes prouided them of water, bread, health, light, and all other things néedefull. This notwithstanding, the first time that _Mutezuma_ wente to the temple after his imprisonment, _Cortes_ and his company wente with him, and euery of them layde handes vpon the idols, & threwe them downe headlong from their seates, and Altars, and other Chapels. _Mutezuma_ with this sight was in great agonie, yea and his subiects ready to take weapon to slay them there present, but yet _Mutezuma_ commaunded his subiectes to stay from their pretence: beséechyng _Cortes_ to stay from his procéedings, at whose request _Cortes_ ceased, for he thought, as yet time serued not for the purpose and pretence: but he declared vnto them by his interpreters as followeth.

The exhortation that Cortez made _to Mutezuma and to the Citizens of Mexico, concerning their Idols_.

All creatures in the world (mightie prince, and yée Gentlemen and religious persons whether it be yée here or we in Spayne, or whatsoeuer other nation that it may be) haue I say, all one begynnyng and ending of mortall lyfe, whiche is had from God: we are al formed and made of one mettall, and haue all soules and senses, euen so doubtlesse as we are like in proportion of body and soule, yea and kinsfolke in bloud, although that by the prouidence of the same our God, some are borne fayre and beautifull, and other some fowle and disfigured: some of one colour, and some of another: some prudent and wise, and other some fonde and foolishe, without eyther iudgement or vertue: in the which his maruellous works God sheweth himselfe iuste, holy and almightie, giuyng those seuerall giftes, to the entent that the wise and learned mought teache the rude and ignorant, and to guyde the blinde into the right way of saluation, by the steppes of true and vnfayned religion.

Therfore I and my fellowes, as your gestes and kinsmen, according to equitie doe procure and wish the same vnto you. A man and his life consisteth in thrée things as yée shal vnderstande, that is body, soule, and goodes: as for your goodes and ritches, whiche is the least that wée desire, for yée know well that we haue taken nothing forcible from you, but onely those things whiche yée haue fréely and liberally giuen vs. Likewise we haue not hurt, misused or molested your persons, wiues or chyldren, nor yet do meane any such thing, your soules health onely is the thing we séeke, for your saluation, and that we nowe pretende to shewe, and to giue vnto you perfite notice of the true and euerlasting God. There is none of naturall iudgement can denie, but that there is one God, but yet through ignoraunce and deceyte of the Diuell, will also thinke that there are many Goddes, and not acerte vnto the true God. But I doe say and moste assuredly certifie you, that there is no other true God, but onely he whome we Christians doe serue, adore, and worshippe, the which is one eternall, without beginnyng and without ende, the onely creator & gouernour of things created: he alone made the Heauens, the Sunne, the Moone, and Starres, the whiche his creatures ye doe worship: he (I say) founded and made the Sea, and the sundry and maruelous fishes therein: he planted and made the lande with all the monstrous beastes therein, foules likewise in the ayre, Plantes, Hearbes, Stones and suche like. Al the whiche creatures ye as blinde and ignorant do hold for Goddes.

[Sidenote: It vvas maruel that Cortes vvas not taken for an heretike.]

Our almighty God after he had finished and made all the former workes with his own blessed hands, made one man & one woman, and being so formed and wrought, he put a soule and breath into each body, and then deliuered the worlde vnto them, shewyng them Paradise and glory. So that of that manne and woman, we all mortall menne procéeded in generation, and in this sorte are the handy worke of God, kinsmen and brethren. Nowe if we will come vnto God our father, it is néedefull and necessary that we be good, vertuous, pitifull, innocent and vnder obedience, the whiche yée can not be if you worshippe statues, images, idols, and vse bloudy sacrifice of mans fleshe. Is there any of you that woulde willingly be slayne? no truely: why then doe you slea other so cruelly, and where you can put no soules, why doe you take them from thence? there is none of you, nor your false Gods, that can make soules, nor can forge mens bodies of fleshe and bone, for if yée coulde, there is none of you woulde be without children, accordyng to your owne appetite and desire, in fashion, beautie and workemanship. But where our God of heauen dothe make al creatures, he vseth therein his owne discretion, and giueth chyldren to whome hée pleaseth: and therefore is he GOD alone, and for these causes shoulde yée haue, estéeme, and worshippe him for suche a mightie God, desiryng of him by prayers to giue rayne and temperature, that the earth may bryng foorth Corne, Fruite, Hearbes, Fleshe, Foule, and all other necessaries for the sustentation of lyfe. All these thyngs the harde stones giueth not vnto you, no nor yet your dry woodden images & colde mettall, neyther yet the small séedes wherewith your seruaunts and slaues, with theyr filthy handes doe make these images and foule statues, the whiche yée doe worshippe. O what fonde people and madde religious persons, who worship theyr owne workemanshippe, doe ye thynke that they are Gods that rotte and moldre away, and haue no lyfe, and can neyther helpe nor kill: Therefore I say vnto you, that nowe and hereafter there is no cause that yée shoulde haue any moe idolles, nor yet any moe slaughters for sacrifice, no nor yet to make any moe prayers or supplications vnto them, beyng bothe Blinde, Deafe, and Dumme.

Will yée knowe who is God, and where he is: lifte vp your eyes vnto Heauen, and then shall you vnderstande that aboue is a Godhead or Deitie that moueth the heauens, and gouerneth the course of the Sunne, ruleth the Lande and replenisheth the Sea, who prouideth for Man and Beast bothe Corne and Water. This God whome yée nowe imagine in your hartes, him (I say) serue and worshippe, not with death of menne or blouddy sacrifice abominable, but with deuotion and humble prayer as we Christians doe. And consider well, that to teach and instruct you these things, was the cause of our commyng hither.

With this exhortation, _Cortes_ aplaked the yre of the Priestes and Citizens: theyr idols beyng throwen downe, _Mutezuma_ tooke order that no moe shoulde be sette vp, commaundyng to swéepe and make cleane the Chappels of the stinking bloud that was in thë, forbidding sacrifice of mans flesh. _Mutezuma_ and his officers made a solëpne vowe and promise to permitte no more slaughter of men, and to set vp a Crosse for remembrance of the death and passion of Iesu Christe borne of the virgin Marie. The whiche their promisse was well fulfilled, for after that day the Spanyardes coulde neuer heare nor finde of any moe sacrifice: But yet there abode in their hartes a mortall rancor, the whiche coulde not long be dissimuled.

Truely in this worthy facte _Cortes_ gotte more honour than though he had ouercomen them in battayle.

The burning of the Lorde Qualpopoca _and other Gentlemen_.

After twentie dayes that _Mutezuma_ had bene prysoner, returned the messengers who had gone with the seale for _Qualpopoca_, and brought him, his Sonne, and other fiftene principall persons, with them, the whiche by inquirie made, were culpable and partakers in the counsell and death of the nine Spaniardes. _Qualpopoca_ entred into _Mexico_ accompanied like a greate Lorde as he was, beyng borne vpon his seruaunts shoulders in rich furniture. As sone as he had saluted _Mutezuma_, he & his Sonne were deliuered vnto _Cortes_, with the other fiftene Gentlemen. _Cortes_ placed them asunder, and commaunded them to be put in Irons, and theyr examinations taken, they confessed that they had slayne those Spaniardes in battayle.

_Cortes_ demaunded of _Qualpopoca_ if he were subiect to _Mutezuma_, why (quoth he) is there any other Prince to whome I might be in subiection? giuing almost to vnderstand that he was a Lorde absolute. _Cortes_ answered, that a farre greater Prince was the King of Spayne, whose subiects vnder colour of friendship and salfeconduct he had slayne. But (quoth he) nowe shalte thou make payment thereof. And beyng agayne more straighter examined, they confessed that they had slaine two Spaniards by the aduice and inducement of the greate prince _Mutezuma_, and the residue were slayne in the warres, and had assaulted their houses, and entred their countrey, wherefore they helde it lawfull to kill them.

Through the confession pronounced by their owne mouthes, sentence was giuen against them, and they condëned to be burned, whiche sentence was openly executed in the market place in sight of all the people, without any mutine or slaunder, and with great silence, terrour & feare of the newe maner of iustice which they sawe there executed vpon so noble a man, in the chiefe seate and kyngdome of _Mutezuma_, beyng gestes and straungers.

The cause of the burnyng of _Qualpopoca_.

At the time that Cortes departed from _Vera Crux_, he left in cömission to _Pedro Hircio_, to procure to inhabite in that place which is called _Almeria_, & not to permit _Francisco de Garray_ to soiourne there, for so much as once he was driuen frö that coast. Now _Hircio_ to fulfill his cömission, sente to requyre those _Indians_ with peace and friëdship, and to yéeld themselues for vassals of the Emperour. _Qualpopoca_ Lorde of _Nahutlan_, which is now called as aforesaid _Almeria_, sent to aduertise _Pedro Hircio_, that he could not come to yéelde his obedience, for the enimies that were in the way: but if it would please him to sende some of his men, for the securitie of the way, he would willyngly come vnto him.

_Hircio_ hearing this answere, sent foure of his men, giuing credite to his message, and for the desire he hadde to inhabite there.

When the foure _Spanyardes_ came into the prouince of _Nahutlan_, there mette with them many armed men, who slew two of them, and made thereof a great triumph: the other two escaped sore wounded, and returned with that newes to the Towne of _Vera Crux_. _Pedro Hircio_ beléeuing that _Qualpopoca_ had done that iniurie, armed out agaynst hym fiftie _Spanyardes_, and ten thousand _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_, with two horses, and two péeces of Ordinance.

_Qualpopoca_ hearing this newes, came with a mightie power to driue them out of his Countrey, and in that encounter, seauen _Spanyardes_ were slayne, and many _Zempoallanezes_, but at the ende he was ouercome, his Countrey spoyled, and Towne sacked, and many of his army slaine and taken captiues. The prisoners declared, that by the commaundement of the greate Lorde _Mutezuma_, all this vprore was attempted by _Qualpopoca_: it mighte well be, for at the houre of death they confessed the same. But some affirme, they sayde so, but to excuse themselues, and to lay the fault to the _Mexicans_. _Hircio_ wrote these newes to _Cortez_ béeyng in _Chololla_, and through these letters _Cortez_ apprehended _Mutezuma_ (as is afore declared.)

Hovv Cortez put a payre of giues _on Mutezuma his legges_.

Before the execution of _Qualpopoca_ and hys fellowes, _Cortes_ declared vnto _Mutezuma_, that _Qualpopoca_ and his company had confessed, that by hys aduice and commaundemente, the nine _Spanyardes_ were slayne, wherein he had done very euill, they being his friendes and guestes: but (quoth he) if it were not in respect of the loue I beare vnto you, this matter shoulde not in this sort be shut vp, and then knocked a payre of giues on his legges, saying, he that killeth ought to be killed, according to the lawes of God. These things did _Cortes_, bycause he shoulde occupye himselfe in his owne griefe and sorrow, and to let other mens passe.

_Mutezuma_ waxed pale w^t countenäce of death, through the great feare that he was in, séeyng himselfe in Irons, a new and strange thing for suche a great King, excusing himselfe that he was innocent of the facte. And as soone as the execution of burning was done, _Cortez_ commaunded to put away the Irons that _Mutezuma_ ware, offering him libertie, and willing him to goe vnto his owne pallace, who reioyced much to sée himselfe out of the Irons, and gaue _Cortes_ most hartie thankes, and refused to goe home to his owne pallace, surmising that the offer was but wordes, or else fearing least his subiects woulde kyll him, séeing him out of the _Spanyardes_ power, for permitting himselfe to be taken prisoner, and so to be kept. Hée sayd also, that if he went from them, his subiectes woulde rebell, and compell him to kill the _Spanyardes_.

Truly the poore simple soule was of small hearte and courage, to suffer himselfe to be taken prisoner, and after his imprisonment woulde neuer procure libertie, _Cortes_ offering it vnto him, and many of his noble men desiring him. And remayning in that order, there was none in _Mexico_ durst offende any _Spanyard_ for feare of displeasing him, for _Qualpopoca_ came 70. leagues with only warning him that the great Lorde had sent for him, shewing hym the figure of his seale: yea and al the péeres of his realme that dwelte farthest off, were ready to obey hys commaundementes.

Hovv Cortez sent to seeke for Mines _of golde into diuers places_.

_Cortez_ had a greate desire to know howe farre the Empire of _Mutezuma_ dyd extende, and what friendship was betwixte him and other Kings and Princes Comarcans, and also to gather togither a good summe of gold, to send to _Spayne_ to the Emperoure for his custome or fifte parte, with full relation of the Countrey people, and things happened untill that day. Wherefore he prayed _Mutezuma_ to shew him where the mynes were, from whence he and his subiectes had the golde and plate. _Mutezuma_ graunted to his request, and incontinent appoynted eyght _Indians_, of the which four were Goldsmythes, who had knowledge and vnderstanding of Mynes, and the other foure were guydes for the iourney. He commaunded them that by two and two they shoulde goe into foure prouinces, that is to say _Zucolla_, _Malinaltepec_, _Tenich_, and _Tutepec_, with other eyghte _Spanyardes_ whiche _Cortez_ appoynted, to haue knowledge of the riuers and mynes of gold, and to bring a moster of the same. The eyght _Spanyardes_ departed on their iourney, with the other eyghte _Indians_, with tokens from _Mutezuma_. _Zucolla_ is 80. leagues from _Mexico_, and the Lord thereof is subiect to _Mutezuma_, who shewed vnto the _Spanyardes_ thrée riuers with golde, and gaue of each riuer a moster thereof, although it were but little, for with want of knowledge they knew not wel the mäner how to get it out of the riuer. These messengers in their iourney too and fro, passed through thrée prouinces full of people and habitatiö, with good buildings & frutefull ground, and the people of the one of them called _Tlamacolapan_, are of good reason and iudgemente, and better apparelled than the _Mexicans_.

_Malinaltepec_ is 70. leagues from _Mexico_, from whence also they brought mosters of golde, the which is had out of a great riuer, by the naturals of that Countrey.

_Tenich_ standeth vp towarde the head of the same riuer of _Malinaltepec_, who are people of another language, and would not permitte our men to haue relation of the thing that they sought. The Lorde of that place is called _Coatelicamatl_, who is not subiecte to _Mutezuma_, nor yet is his friende, thinking that his men hadde bin espyes: but when he was enformed who they were, he gaue the _Spanyardes_ licence to be resolued of their affayres, but straitly commaunded, that the _Indians_ of _Mexico_ should not presume to come into his dominion. When the _Mexicans_ hearde these newes, they required the _Spanyardes_ not to credite that _Cazike_, saying, that he was an euill and a cruell man, and would surely kill them. Our men were somewhat amazed, fearing to talke with _Coatelicamatl_, although they hadde his licence, séeyng the people of the countrey armed with Launces of fiue and twenty foote lög: but yet at lëgth leauing cowardise aside, they procéeded forwards. _Coatelicamatl_ receyued thë curteously, and shewed them sixe or seauen riuers with golde, out of the which graynes of golde were taken in his presence, who gaue the same moster vnto them, and sente also his Embassadors to _Cortez_, offering his lande and person vnto him, with certayne mantels, and Iewels of golde.

_Cortez_ more reioyced of the Embassage, than of the gold and presents, knowing thereby that _Mutezuma_ hys enimies desired his friendshippe: but _Mutezuma_ and hys counsell liked not the matter, for although _Coatelicamatl_ is no great Lord, yet his people are good souldyers, and his countrey full of wildernesse, of Rockes and Mountaynes. The other that wente to _Tutepec_, which standeth néere the sea coast, and twelue leagues frö _Malinaltepec_, returned likewise with moster of golde of two Riuers, and brought newes that the Countrey was fit to buylde vppon, with hope to reape muche golde, finding once an arte to get it out of the riuer.

_Cortez_ hearing these news, prayed _Mutezuma_ to build a house there in the name of the Emperoure _Charles_, who incontinente sente thither workemen and labourers, whyche within two monethes hadde built a greate house, and other thrée little houses round aboute it, with a ponde of water full of fishe, and fiue hundred Duckes, and a thousand fiue hundred Turkie cockes and hennes, and muche housholde stuffe, so that the gifte was worth twentie thousand Castlins of golde. He gaue vnto hym also twenty bushels of the grayne called _Centli_, readye sowen, and two thousand stockes of trées called _Cacauatl_, whiche bringeth forthe the fruite _Cacao_, that serueth for money and meate. _Cortes_ began this husbandrye, but yet made not an ende thereof, with the comming of _Pamfilo de Naruaiz_, and the vprore in _Mexico_, whiche shortly followed. He also besoughte _Mutezuma_ to certifie him if there were any sure porte or harbor on the Sea coast, where the Spanish nauie mought ride in safetie: he aunswered that he knew of none, but that he woulde sende to make enquirie thereof. And forthwith he commaunded all that coast to be painted in a cloath made of cotten woll, with all the riuers, bayes, créekes and capes that were within his dominion. In all the same portrayture did not appeare anye porte, skale, or sure roade, sauyng a gulfe that falleth out of the Mountaynes, which place is now called the harbor of _Saint Martine_, and _Saint Anthonie_ in the prouince of _Coazacoalco_. The _Spanyards_ thought the same to be a straight or passage into the South sea, to passe vnto the _Maluccos_ and spicerie, but they were deceiued although they beléeued the thing that they desired. _Cortes_ for this purpose sent tenne Spanyardes, all good marriners and Pylots, in companye of the _Indians_ that _Mutezuma_ sent on that voyage at his owne cost.

They departed, and came to _Chalohicoeca_, where firste they came aland, the which place is now called _S. Iohn de Vlhua_.

They wente 70. leagues along the coast, without finding any Riuer, although they mette with many brookes of shallowe water, not fytte for a roade for Shyppes.

They aported at _Coazacoalco_, the Lorde whereof was enimie to _Mutezuma_, hys name was _Tuchintlec_, who friendly receyued the Spanyardes, for he hadde intelligence of them, at their lying at _Potonchan_. He gaue vnto them boates, to sounde and séeke the Riuer, where they found sixe fadome in deapth, and wente vppe that Riuer twelue leagues, wher they descryed many great townes, and it séemed a fruitefull soyle. This _Cazike Tuchnitlec_, sente vnto _Cortes_ with the Spanyards certayne gold, precious stones, and cloth of cotten, with apparrell made of skynnes, and tygers, requesting his friendship, and to admitte him tributarie to the Emperour, paying yéerely a certayne portion of his riches, with suche condition, that the _Indians_ of _Culhua_ should not enter into his iurisdictiö.

_Cortes_ muche reioysed with these messages, and was glad of the finding of the faire riuer, for the Marriners hadde enformed him, that from the riuer of _Grijalua_ vnto _Panuco_, was no riuer to be found, but I beléeue they were deceyued. _Cortes_ returned backe agayne some of those messengers, with a present of Spanish ware for _Tuchnitlec_, and to be better enformed of all his meaning, with a special charge to knowe the cömoditie of that porte and Countrey, who went, and in shorte time returned wel satisfyed of their demaund: wherevpon _Cortes_ sente thyther _Iohn Velasques de Leon_, for Captayne of a hundred and fifty Spanyardes, with commission to build a fort.

The imprisonment of Cacama, King _of Tezcuco_.

The weake courage and stomake of _Mutezuma_, caused his subiectes not onely to murmure, but also to seeke meanes of rebellion, especially his nephew _Cacamazin_, Lorde of _Tezcuco_, who was a stoute yong man and an honorable, and one y^t receiued greate griefe of his Vncles imprisonment: and seeing that y^e matter séemed long, he besought his Vncle to procure his libertie, and to shew himselfe a Lorde, and not a slaue: but séeing at length that he could not accepte and follow his councell, he began to stirre in the matter, threatning the death and destruction of the Spanyardes. Some said, that _Cacama_ did begin that matter, to reuenge the iniurie and dishonor done vnto his Vncle. Others saide, that his meaning was to make himselfe Kyng of _Mexico_. Others held opinion, that his pretence was only to make an ende of y^e Spanyards. But let it be for whatsoeuer purpose. Once he gathered a great army, which he coulde not want, although _Mutezuma_ was prisoner, especially against y^e Spanyards. He published that he would redéeme his Vncle out of Captiuitie, and expulse the Straungers, or else kill and eate them.

This was a terrible newes for the Christians, but yet for all those bragges _Cortes_ dismayde not, rather hée determined forthwith to prepare himselfe for the warres, and to besiege him in his owne house and Towne, sauing that _Mutezuma_ disturbed him, saying that _Tezcuco_ was a place very strong, and scituated in water, and that _Cacama_ was a man of bolde and stoute courage, and had at commaundemente of the _Indians_ of _Culhua_, and was also Lorde of _Culhuacan_ and _Otumpa_, whiche were fortes of great strength, thinking to bring the matter to a better passe another way: so that _Cortez_ ruled himselfe by the counsell of _Mutezuma_, and sent vnto _Cacama_, praying him to haue in remembrance the friendshippe that hadde bin betwixt them two, from the time that he came and broughte hym into _Mexico_, and that alwayes peace was better than warre, and especially for a noble man of vassals, for the begynnyng of warres was pleasant to hym that knewe not what warres meante: and in so doyng, he shoulde do both pleasure and seruice to the Kyng of _Spayne_.

[Sidenote: Cacama vvas vvise.]

_Cacama_ aunswered, that he had no friendship with him that woulde take away hys honor and kingdome, and that the warres whych he pretended, was profitable for his vassals, and in defence of their Countrey and Religion, yea and before he determined peace, he meante to reuenge hys Vncles wrongs and his goddes.

Also (quoth he) what haue I to doe wyth the Kyng of _Spayne_, who is a man that I know not, no nor yet would gladly heare of hym.

_Cortez_ turned agayne to admonishe and require hym diuers tymes to leaue off his determination, and wylled _Mutezuma_ to commaunde hym to accepte hys offer.

Wherevpon _Mutezuma_ sente vnto hym, desiryng him to come vnto _Mexico_, to take some order in those controuersies and discordes betwixte hym and the _Spanyardes_.

_Cacama_ aunswered very sharply vnto his Vncles request, saying, if you had bloud in your eye, or the hearte of a Prince, you woulde not permit your selfe to bée prisoner, and captiue of foure poore straungers, who with their fayre speache and flatteryng talke haue bewitched you, and vsurped your kingdome, no nor yet, suffer the Goddes of _Culhua_ to be throwen downe and spoyled, yea and the _Mexican_ religion and holy places, violated and troden with théeues féete and deceyuers: likewise the honour, glory, and fame of your predecessors blotted and abased, through your faynt stomacke and cowardize. But notwithstanding, accordyng to your request, and to repayre our religiö, to restore the Goddes to their Temples, to preserue the kingdome, and to procure libertie for you and the Cittie, I will obay your commaundement: But how? not with my handes in my bosome, but lyke a warrier, to kill those Spaniardes who haue so affrented the nation of _Culhua_. Our men stoode in great perill, as well of the losing of _Mexico_ as of their owne liues, if this warre and mutinie had not soone bene qualified: for why? _Cacama_ was valiant, stoute, and a good souldier, yea and well furnished of men of warre: also the Citizens of _Mexico_, were desirous of the same, for to redéeme _Mutezuma_ their prince, and to kill the Spaniardes, or else to expulse them out of the Cittie.

[Sidenote: Cacama prysoner.]

But poore _Mutezuma_ remedied the matter, knowyng or foreseing, that warres would not preuayle, yea and beleued, that at the ende all shoulde fall vpon his backe. He dealt with certayne Captaynes & Gentlemen that dwelt in _Tezcuco_ with _Cacama_, to apprehend him, and bryng him prysoner, cösidering that he was their king and yet aliue. But whether it were, that those Captaynes had serued _Mutezuma_ in the warres, or whether it were for giftes & rewardes, they apprehended _Cacama_ being in counsell among them, treatyng of his warres pretended, and embarked him in a boate armed for the purpose, and so brought him to _Mexico_ without any further slander or stryfe, and when he was comen to _Mexico_, they put him on a riche seate, as the Kings of _Tezcuco_ were wonte to sitte vpon, beyng the greatest Prince in all that lande next vnto _Mutezuma_: and in this sorte brought him before his vncle, who would not looke vpon him, but commaunded him to be deliuered vnto _Cortes_, who incontinent clapped a payre of giues on his legges, and a payre of manacles on his handes, and put hym into sure Guarde and custodie.

After that _Cacama_ was in this order prysoner, with the consent of _Mutezuma_ was elected Lorde and Prince of _Tezcuco_ and _Culhuacan_, _Cucuzca_, _Cacama_ his yonger brother, who was abidyng in _Mexico_ with his vncle, and fled from his brother: _Mutezuma_ did entitle him with the ceremonies accustomed vnto Princes newly elected and chosen. So that forthwith he was obeyed in _Tezcuco_ by _Mutezuma_ his commaundement, for he was there better beloued than _Cacama_, who was somewhat of a croked nature. In this sorte was remedied all the former perill, but if there had bene many _Cacamas_, it would haue fallen out otherwise.

Here _Cortes_ made kings, and cömaunded with as great auctoritie as though he had obtayned already the whole Empire of _Mexico_: and certainely sithens his first entry into that countrey, he had an assured hope to win _Mexico_, and to be Lorde ouer the whole state of _Mutezuma_.

The Oration that Mutezuma made _vnto his Noble men, yeelding himselfe to the King of Castile_.

After the imprisonment of _Cacama_, _Mutezuma_ proclaymed a Parliament, vnto the which came all the Seniors _Comarcans_, and beyng all together, he made the Oration followying vnto them.

[Sidenote: A fonde beliefe.]