disturbing one another The Indians did commonly vse their idolatries in these trees so strange and deformed even as did the antient Gentiles as some Writers of our time doe report Of Plants and fruits which have bin carried out of Spaine to the Indies CHAP. 31. THe Indians have received more profit and have bin better recompensed in plants that have bin broght from Spaine than in any other marchandise for that those few which are carried from the Indies into Spaine growe little there and multiply not and contrariwise the great number that have beene caried from Spaine to the Indies prosper wel multiplie greatly I know not whether I shall attribute it to the bounty of the plants that goe from hence or to the goodnesse of the soile that is there Finally there is at the Indies any good thing that Spaine brings foorth in some places it is better in some worse as wheate barley hearbes and all kindes of pulses also lettuce colewortes radishes onions garlike parsley turneps parseneps Becengenes or apples of love siccorie beetes spinage pease beanes vetches and finally whatsoever groweth heere of anie profite so as all that have voyaged thither have beene curious to carry seedes of all sorts and all have growen although diversly some more some lesse As for those trees that have most aboundantly fructified be orange trees limons citrons and others of that sort In some partes there are at this day as it were whole woods and forrests of orange trees the which seeming strange vnto mee I asked who had planted the fields with so many orange trees they made mee answer that it did come by chaunce for that oranges being fallen to the ground and rotten their seeds did spring and of those which the water had carried away into diverse partes these woods grew so thicke which seemed to me a very good reason I have saide that this fruite hath generally increased most at the Indies for that I have not beene in any place but I finde orange trees for that all their soyle is hote and moist which this tree most desires There growes not any vppon the Sierre or mountaine but they carry them from the vallies or sea coast The conserve of oranges which they do make at the Ilands is the best I have seene anie where peaches presses and apricockes have greatly multiplied especially in New Spaine At Peru there growes few of these kindes of fruites except peaches and much lesse in the Ilands There growes apples and peares yet but scarcely there are but few plumbs but aboundance of figges chiefly in Peru. They finde quinces in all the country of the Indies and in New Spaine in such aboundance as they gave vs fifty choice ones for halfe a riall There is great store of pomegranets but they are all sweete for the sharp are not there esteemed There are very good melons in some partes of Peru. Cherries both wilde and tame have not prospered well at the Indies the which I do not impute to want of temperature for that there is of all sorts but to carelesnesse or that they have not well observed the temperature To conclude I do not finde that in those partes there wants any dainty fruite As for grosse fruites they have no Beillottes nor chesnuttes neither doe I finde that any have growne there to this day Almonds growe there but rarely They carry from Spaine for such as are dainty mouthed both almonds nuttes and filberds but I have not knowne they had any medlers or servises which importes little In my iudgement this may suffice to shew that there wanteth no delightfull fruites Now let vs speake somewhat of plants that profit and which have been carried from Spaine and so will ende that Treatise beeing too troublesome Of grapes vignes olives mulberies and kanes of sugar CHAP. 32. I Meane by profitable plants those which besides that which they eate in the house bring silver to theyr maisters the chiefe of these is the vigne whereof commeth wine vinegar grapes greene and dry veriuyce and sirrope But the wine is the best There growes no wine nor grapes in the Ilandes nor firme land but in new Spaine there are some vignes which beare grapes and yet make no wine The cause is for that the grape ripens not well by reason of the raine that falles in the months of Iuly and August which hinders their ripening so as they serve onely to eate They carry wine out of Spaine and from the Canaries to all partes of the Indies except Peru and the realme of Chillé where there are vignes that yeelde excellent wine which increase daily both in quantity for that it is a great riches in that country and in beauty for that they are become with time and practise more expert vignerous The vignes of Peru are commonly in hote vallies where there are waters which they water with the hand because there falles no raine at all from heaven and vppon the Lanos and Sierre it comes not in time There are some places where the vignes are not watered neither from heaven nor earth and yet they increase in great aboundance as in the valley of Yca and in the ditches that they call VillacuZi in which places they finde ditches or th' earth suncke downe amongest the dead sands which are thorowout the yeare of a woonderfull coolenesse and yet it raines not there at any time neither is there any maner of meanes to water it artificially the reason is because the soile is spongious and suckes vp the water of the rivers that fall from the mountaine which moisten these sands or else it is the moistnesse of the sea as others suppose which passing over this sand is the cause why it is not barren nor vnprofitable as the Philosopher teaches The vignes have so increased there as for this cause onely the tithes of the Churches are multiplied five or sixe times double within these twentie yeares The most fertile vallies for vignes be Victor neare to Arequipa Yca in the territory of Lima and Caraguato in the Countrey of Chuquiavo they carry this wine to Potozi Cusco and divers partes which yeeldes a great revenue for notwithstanding all the aboundance they have a bottle or arobe is there woorth five or sixe duckats and if it be Spanish wine as they commonly carry in their fleetes it is woorth tenne or twelve They make wine like to that of Spaine in the realme of Chille being in the same climate but it corrupteth being carried to Peru they eate the grape where they cannot drink the wine And it is strange that in the citty of Cusco you shall finde ripe grapes all the yeare long the reason is as they say for that those valleis bring foorth fruits in diverse moneths of the yeare either for that they cutte their vignes in diverse seasons or that this varietie proceedes from the quality of the soyle but whatsoever it be it is most certaine there are some vallies which carry fruit all the yeare If
subdued the city of Cuitlavaca with children the news and consideration whereof opened the eyes of those of Tescâ—co a chiefe and very cunning Nation for their manner of life So as the king of Tescuco was first of opinion that they should subiect themselves to the king of Mexico and invite him therevnto with his cittie Therefore by the advise of his Counsell they sent Ambassadors good Orators with honorable presents to offer themselves vnto the Mexicans as their subiects desiring peace and amitie which was gratiously accepted but by the advise of Tlacaellec he vsed a ceremony for the effecting thereof which was that those of Tescuco should come forth armed against the Mexicans where they should fight and presently yeelde which was an act and ceremony of warre without any effusion of bloud on either side Thus the king of Mexico became soveraigne Lord of Tescuco but hee tooke not their king from them but made him of his privie counsell so as they have alwayes maintained themselves in this manner vntill the time of Motecuma the second during whose raigne the Spaniards entred Having subdued the land and citty of Tescuco Mexico remained Lady and Mistris of all the landes and citties about the Lake where it is built Izcoalt having enioyed this prosperitie and raigned twelve yeeres died leaving the realme which had beene given him much augmented by the valour and counsell of his nephew Tlacaellec as hath afore beene saide who held it best to choose an other king then himselfe as shall heereafter be shewed Of the fift King of Mexico called Moteçuma the first of that name CHAP. 16. FOrasmuch as the election of the new King belonged to foure chiefe Electors as hath been said and to the King of Tescuco and the King of Tacubu by especiall priviledge Tlacaellec assembled these six personages as he that had the soveraigne authoritie and having propounded the matter vnto them they made choise of Moteçuma the first of that name nephew to the same Tlacaellec His election was very pleasing to them all by reason whereof they made most solemne feasts and more stately then the former Presently after his election they conducted him to the Temple with a great traine where before the divine harth as they call it where there is continuall fire they set him in his royall throne putting vpon him his royall ornaments Being there the King drew blood from his eares and legges with a griffons tallents which was the sacrifice wherein the divell delighted to be honoured The Priests Antients and Captaines made their orations all congratulating his election They were accustomed in their elections to make great feasts and dances where they wasted many lightes In this Kings time the custome was brought in that the King should go in person to make warre in some province and bring captives to solemnize the feast of his coronation and for the solemne sacrifices of that day For this cause King Moteçuma went into the province of Chalco who had declared themselves his enemies from whence having fought valiantly he brought a great number of captives whereof he did make a notable sacrifice the day of his coronation although at that time he did not subdue all the province of Chalco being a very warlike nation Many came to this coronation from divers provinces as well neere as farre off to see the feast at the which all commers were very bountifully entertained and clad especially the poore to whom they gave new garments For this cause they brought that day into the Cittie the Kings tributes with a goodly order which consisted in stuffes to make garments of all sorts in Cacao gold silver rich feathers great burthens of cotten cucumbers sundry sortes of pulses many kindes of sea fish and of the fresh water great store of fruites and venison without number not reckoning an infinite number of presents which other kings and Lords sent to the new king All this tribute marched in order according to the provinces and before them the stewards and receivers with divers markes and ensignes in very goodly order so as it was one of the goodliest things of the feast to see the entry of the tribute The King being crowned he imploied himselfe in the conquest of many provinces and for that he was both valiant and vertuous hee still increased more and moâ—e vsing in all his affaires the counsell and industry of his generall Tlacaellec whom he did alwaies love and esteeme very much as hee had good reason The warre wherein hee was most troubled and of greatest difficultie was that of the province of Chalco wherein there happened great matters whereof one was very remarkable which was that they of Chalcas had taken a brother of Moteçumaâ—s in the warres whome they resolved to choose for their king asking him very curteously if he would accept of this charge He answered after much importunity still persisting therein that if they meant plainely to choose him for their king they should plant in the market place a tree or very high stake on the toppe whereof they should make a little scaffold and meanes to mount vnto it The Chalcas supposing it had beene some ceremony to make himselfe more apparent presently effected it then assembling all his Mexicaines about the stake he went to the toppe with a garland of flowers in his hand speaking to his men in this maner O valiant Mexicaines these men will choose mee for their King but the gods will not permit that to be a King I should committee any treason against my countrie but contrariwise I wil that you learne by me that it behoveth vs rather to indure death then to ayde our enemies Saying these words he cast himselfe downe and was broken in a thousand peeces at which spectacle the Chalcas had so great horror and dispits that presently they fell vpon the Mexicaines and slew them all with their launces as men whom they held too prowde and inexorable saying they had divelish hearts It chanced the night following they heard two owles making a mornefull cry which they did interpret as an vnfortunate signe and a presage of their neere destruction as it succeeded for King Moteçuma went against them in person with all his power where he vanquished them and ruined all their kingdome and passing beyond the mountaine Meâ—ade hee conquered still even vnto the North sea Then returning towards the South sea hee subdued many provinces so as he became a mighty King all by the helpe and counsell of Tlacaellec who in a manner conquered all the Mexicaine nation Yet hee held an opinion the which was confirmed that it was not behoovefull to conquer the province of Tlascalla that the Mexicaines might have a fronter enemy to keepe the youth of Mexico in exercise and allarme and that they might have numbers of captives to sacrifice to their idols wherein they did waste as hath beene said infinite numbers of men which should bee taken by force in the warres The honour must be given to
Moteçuma or to speake truly to Tlacaellec his Generall for the good order and policy setled in the realme of Mexico as also for the counsells and goodly enterprises which they did execute and likewise for the numbers of Iudges and Magistrates being as well ordered there as in any common-weale yea were it in the most flourishing of Europe This King did also greatly increase the Kings house giving it great authoritie and appointing many and sundry officers which served him with great pompe and ceremony Hee was no lesse remarkable touching the devotion and service of his idolls increasing the number of his Ministers and instituting new ceremonies wherevnto hee carried a great respect Hee built that great temple dedicated to their god Vitziliputzli whereof is spoken in the other booke He did sacrifice at the dedication of this temple a great number of men taken in sundry victories finally inioying his Empire in great prosperitie hee fell sicke and died having raigned twenty eight yeares 〈◊〉 to his successor Ticociâ— who did not resemble him neither in valour nor in good fortune How Tlacaellec refused to be King and of the election and deedes of Ticocic CHAP. 17. THE foure Deputies assembled in counsell with the lords of Tcscucâ— Tacuba where Tlacaellec was President in the election where by all their voices Tlacaellec was chosen as deserving this charge better then any other Yet he refused it perswading them by pertinent reasons that they shuld choose another saying that it was better and more expedient to have another king and he to be his instrument and assistant as hee had beene till then and not to lay the whole burthen vpon him for that he held himselfe no lesse bound for the Common-weale then if hee were king It is a rare thing to refuse principalitie and commaund and to indure the paine and the care and not to reape the honour There are few that will yeeld vp the power and authority which they may hold were it profitable to the common-weale This Barbarian did heerein exceed the wisest amongst the Greekes and Romans and it may be a lesson to Alexander and Iulius Caesar whereof the one held it little to command the whole world putting his most deere and faithfull servants to death vpon some small iealosies of rule and empire and the other declared himselfe enemy to his country saying that if it were lawfull to do any thing against law and reason it was for a kingdome such is the thirst and desire of commaund Although this acte of Tlacaelâ—eâ—â— might well proceede from too great a confidence of himselfe seeming to him though he were not king yet in a maner that he commanded kings suffering him to carry certaine markes as a Tiara or ornament for the head which belonged onely to themselves Yet this act deserves greater commendation and to be well considered of in that he held opinion to be better able to serve his Common-weale as a subiect then being a soveraigne Lord. And as in a comedie he deserves most commendation that represents the personage that importes most bee it of a sheepheard or a peasant and leaves the King or Captaine to him that can performe it So in good Philosophy men ought to have a special regard to the common good and apply themselves to that office and place which they best vnderstand But this philosophie is farre from that which is practised at this day But let vs returne to our discourse and say that in recompence of his modestie and for the respect which the Mexicaine Electors bare him they demanded of Tlacaellec that seeing hee would not raigne whom he thought most fit Wherevpon hee gave his voice to a sonne of the deceased king who was then very yong called Ticocic but they replied that his shoulders were very weake to beare so heavy a burthen Tlacaellec answered that his were there to helpe him to beare the burthen as he had done to the deceased by meanes whereof they tooke their resolution and Ticoâ—ic was chosen to whom were done all the accustomed ceremonies They pierced his nosthrils and for an ornament put an Emerald therein and for this reason in the Mexicane bookes this king is noted by his nosthrills pierced Hee differed much from his father and predecessor being noted for a coward and not valiant He went to make warre for his coronation in a province that was rebelled where he lost more of his own men then hee tooke captives yet he returned saying that hee brought the number of captives required for the sacrifice of his coronation and so hee was crowned with great solemnitie But the Mexicaines discontented to have a king so little disposed to warre practised to hasten his death by poison For this cause hee continued not above foure yeares in the kingdome whereby wee see that the children do not alwaies follow the blood and valour of their fathers and the greater the glorie of the predecessors hath beene the more odious is the weakenes and cowardise of such that succeed them in command and not in merit But this losse was well repaired by a brother of the deceased who was also sonne to great Moteçuma called Axayaca who was likewise chosen by the advice of Tlacacllec wherein hee happened better then before Of the death of Tlacaellec and the deedes of Axayaca the seventh King of Mexicaines CHAP. 18. NOw was Tlacaellec very old who by reason of his age he was carried in a chaire vpon mens shoulders to assist in counsell when busines required In the end hee fell sicke whenas the king who was not yet crowned did visit him often sheading many teares seeming to loose in him his father and the father of his countrie Tlacaellec did most affectionately recommend his children vnto him especially the eldest who had shewed himselfe valiant in the former warres The king promised to have regard vnto him and the more to comfort the olde man in his presence he gave him the charge and ensignes of Captaine Generall with all the preheminences of his father wherewith the olde man remained so well satisfied as with this content he ended his daies If hee had not passed to another life they might have held themselves very happy seeing that of so poore and small a cittie wherein hee was borne he established by his valour and magnanimitie so great so rich and so potent a kingdome The Mexicans made his funerall as the founder of that Empire more sumptuous and stately then they had done to any of their former kings And presently after Axayaca to appease the sorrow which all the people of Mexico shewed for the death of their captaine he resolved to make the voyage necessary for his coronation Hee therefore led his army with great expedition into the province of Tequantepec two hundred leagues from Mexico where he gave battaile to a mighty army and an infinite number of men assembled together as well out of that province as from their neighbours to oppose themselves against the Mexicans
Philosophie worthy of accoumpt The greatest part of Platoes Interpreters affirme that it is a true Historie whatsoever Critias reports of the strange beginning of the Atlantike Iland of the greatnes thereof of the warres they had against them of Europe with many other things That which gives it the more credite of a true Historie be the wordes of Critias whom Plato brings in in his time saying that the subiect he meanes to treate of is of strange things but yet true The other disciples of Plato considering that this discourse hath more shew of a fable then of a true Historie say that we must take it as an allegorie and that such was the intention of their divine Philosopher Of this opinion is Procles and Porphire yea and Origene who so much regardes the writings of Plato as when they speake thereof they seeme to bee the bookes of Moses or of Esdras and whereas they thinke the writings of Plato have no shew of truth they say they are to be vnderstood mystically and in allegories But to say the truth I do not so much respect the authoritie of Plato whom they call Divine as I wil beleeve he could write these things of the Atlantike Iland for a true Historie the which are but meere fables seeing hee confesseth that hee learned them of Critias being a little childe who among other songs sung that of the Atlantike Iland But whether that Plato did write it for a true Historie or a fable for my part I beleeve that all which he hath written of this Iland beginning at the Dialogue of Time and continuing to that of Critias cannot be held for true but among children and old folkes Who will not accoumpt it a fable to say that Neptune fell in love with Clite and had of her five paire of twinnes at one birth And that out of one mountaine hee drew three round balles of water and two of earth which did so well resemble as you would have iudged them all one bowell What shall wee say moreover of that Temple of a thousand pace long and five hundred broade whose walles without were all covered with silver the seeling of gold and within ivorie indented and inlaied with gold silver and pearle In the end speaking of the ruine thereof he concludes thus in his time In one day and one night came a great deluge whereby all our souldiers were swallowed by heapes within the earth and in this sort the Atlantike Iland being drowned it vanished in the Sea Without doubt it fell out happily that this Iland vanished so suddenly seeing it was bigger then Asia and Affrike and that it was made by enchantment It is in likesort all one to say that the ruines of this so great an Iland are seene in the bottome of the sea and that the Mariners which see them cannot saile that way Then he addes For this cause vnto this day that Sea is not navigable by reason of the bancke which by little little is growne in that drowned Iland I would willingly demand what Sea could swallow vp so infinite a continent of land greater then Asia and Affrike whose confines stretched vnto the Indies and to swallow it vp in such sort as there should at this day remaine no signes nor markes thereof whatsoever seeing it is well knowne by experience that the Mariners finde no bottome in the Sea where they say this Iland was Notwithstanding it may seeme indiscreete and farre from reason to dispute seriously of those things which are reported at pleasure or if we shall give that respect to the authoritie of Plato as it is reason we must rather vnderstand them to signifie simply as in a picture the prosperitie of a Citie and withall the ruine thereof For the argument they make to prove that this Atlantike Iland hath bene really and indeede saying that the sea in those parts doth at this day beare the name of Atlantike is of small importance for that wee knowe Mount Atlas whereof Plinie sayes this sea tooke the name is vpon the confines of the Mediterranean Sea And the same Plinie reportes that ioyning to the said Mount there is an Iland called Atlantike which he reportes to be little and of small accompt That the opinion of many which holde that the first race of the Indians comes from the Iewes is not true CHAP. 23. NOw that wee have shewed how vnlikely it is that the first Indians passed to the Indies by the Atlantike Iland there are others holde opinion that they tooke the way whereof Esdras speakes in his fourth booke in this manner And whereas thou sawest that he gathered an other peaceable troope vnto him thou shalt know those are the ten tribes which were caried away captives out of their own land in the time of king Ozeas whom Salmanazar king of the Assyrians tooke captives and ledde them beyond the river so were they brought into an other land but they tooke this counsell to themselves to leave the multitude of the heathen and go forth into a farther countrie where never mankind dwelt that they might there observe their statutes which they could not keepe in their owne land and they entred by the narrowe passages of the river Euphrates for then God shewed his wonders and stayed the springs of the flood vntill they were passed over for the way vnto that Countrie is very long yea of a yeere and a halfe and this Region is called Arsareth then dwelt they there vntill the latter time and when they come forth againe the most Mightie shall hold still the springs of the river againe that they may goe through for this cause sawest thou this multitude peaceable Some will apply this text of Esdras to the Indies saying they were guided by God whereas never mankinde dwelt and that the land where they dwelt is so farre off as it requires a yeere and a halfe to performe the voyage beeing by nature very peaceable And that there are great signes and arguments amongst the common sort of the Indians to breed a beleefe that they are descended from the Iewes for commonly you shall see them fearefull submisse ceremonious and subtill in lying And moreover they say their habites are like vnto those the Iewes vsed for they weare a short coat or waste-coat and a cloake imbroidered all about they goe bare-footed or with soles tied with latchers over the foot which they call Oiotas And they say that it appeares by their Histories as also by their ancient pictures which represent them in this fashion that this attire was the ancient habite of the Hebrewes and that these two kinds of garments which the Indians onely vse were vsed by Samson which the Scripture calleth Tunicam and Sidonem beeing the same which the Indians terme wast-coat and cloake But all these coniectures are light and rather against them then with them for wee know well that the Hebrewes vsed letters whereof there is no shew among the Indians they were great
lovers of silver these make no care of it the Iewes if they were not circumcised held not themselves for Iewes and contrariwise the Indians are not at all neyther did they ever vse any ceremonie neere it as many in the East have done But what reason of coniecture is there in this seeing the Iewes are so careful to preserve their language and Antiquities so as in all parts of the world they differ and are known from others and yet at the Indies alone they have forgotten their Linage their Law their Ceremonies their Messias and finally their whole Iudaisme And whereas they say the Indians are feareful cowards superstitious and subtill in lying for the first it is not common to all there are some nations among the Barbarians free from these vices there are some valiant and hardy there are some blunt and dull of vnderstanding As for ceremonies and superstitions the Heathen have alwayes vsed them much the manner of habites described which they vse being the plainest and most simple in the world without Arte the which hath been common not onely to the Hebrewes but to all other Nations seeing that the very History of Esdras if wee shall beleeve the Scriptures that bee Apocrypha make more against them then for their purpose for hee saith in that place that the ten tribes went from the multitude of the Heathen to keepe their faith and ceremonies and we see the Indians given to all the Idolatries in the world And those which holde this opinion see well if the entries of the River Euphrates stretch to the Indies and whether it be necessary for the Indies to repasse that way as it is written Besides I know not how you can name them peaceable seeing they be alwaies in warre amongst themselves To conclude I cannot see how that Euphrates in Esdras Apocrypha should be a more convenient passage to goe to the new world then the inchanted fabulous Atlantike Iland of Plato The reason why we can find no beginning of the Indians CHAP. 24. IT is easier to refute and contradict the false opinions conceyved of the Originall of the Indians then to set downe a true and certaine resolution for that there is no writing among the Indians nor any certaine remembrances of their founders neyther is there any mention made of this new world in their bookes that have knowledge of letters our Ancients held that in those parts there were neyther men land nor heaven So as hee should seeme rash and presumptuous that should thinke to discover the first beginning of the Indians But we may iudge a farre off by the former discourse that these Indians came by little and little to this newe world and that by the helpe and meanes of the neerenesse of lands or by some navigation the which seemes to mee the meanes whereby they came and not that they prepared any armie to goe thither of purpose neyther that they have been caried thither by any ship-wracke or tempest although some of these things may chance in some part of the Indies for these Regions beeing so great as they containe Nations without number we may beleeve that some came to inhabite after one sort and some after an other But in the ende I resolve vpon this point that the true and principall cause to people the Indies was that the lands and limits thereof are ioyned and continued in some extremities of the world or at the least were very neere And I beleeve it is not many thousand yeeres past since men first inhabited this new world and West Indies and that the first men that entred were rather savage men and hunters then bredde vp in civill and well governed Common-weales and that they came to this new world having lost their owne land or being in too great numbers they were forced of necessitie to seeke some other habitations the which having found they beganne by little and little to plant having no other law but some instinct of nature and that very darke and some customes remayning of their first Countries And although they came from Countries well governed yet is it not incredible to thinke that they had forgotten all through the tract of time and want of vse seeing that in Spaine and Italie we find companies of men which have nothing but the shape and countenance onely whereby we may coniecture in what sort this new world grew so barbarous and vncivill What the Indians report of their beginning CHAP. 25. IT is no matter of any great importance to know what the Indians themselves report of their beginning being more like vnto dreames then to true Hiries â—hey make great mention of a deluge happened in their Countrie but we cannot well iudge if this deluge were vniversall whereof the scripture makes mention or some particular inundation of those regions where they are Some expert men say that in those Countries are many notable signes of some great inundation and I am of their opinion which thinke that these markes and shewes of a deluge was not that of Noe but some other particular as that which Plato speakes of or Deucalions floud which the Poets sing of whatsoever it be the Indians say that al men were drowned in this deluge and they report that out of the great Lake Titicaca came one Viracocha which staied in Tiaguanaco where at this day there is to bee seene the ruines of ancient and very strange buildings and from thence came to Cusco and so began mankinde to multiply They shew in the same Iland a small Lake where they faine that the sunne hid himselfe and so was preserved and for this reason they make great sacrifices vnto him in that place both of sheepe and men Others report that sixe or I know not what number of men came out of a certaine cave by a window by whome men first began to multiplie and for this reason they call them Pacaritampo And therefore they are of opinion that the Tambos is the most ancient race of men They say also that Mango Capa whom they acknowledge for the founder and chiefe of their Inguas was issued of that race and that from him sprang two families or linages the one of Havan Cusco the other of Vrni Cusco They say moreover that when the Kings Inguas attempted warre and conquered sundrie Provinces they gave a colour and made a pretext of their enterprise saying that all the world ought to acknowledge them for that all the world was renued by their race and Countrie and also that the true religion had been reveiled to them from heaven But what availeth it to speake more seeing that all is full of lies and vanitie and farre from reason Some learned men write that all which the Indians make mention of is not above 400. yeeres old and whatsoever they speake of former ages is but a confusion full of obscuritie wherein we find no truth The which may not seeme strange they having no vse of bookes or writing in
citty of Mexico there were above three hundred Mango Ingua Yupanguâ— amongst the Kings of Cusco was hee that most augmented the service of their idolls inventing a thousand kindes of sacrifices feasts and ceremonies The like did King Iscoalt in Mexico who was the fourth king There was also a great number of superstitions and sacrifices in other Nations of the Indians as in the Province of Guatimala at the Ilands in the new Kingdome in the Province of Chille and others that were like Common-wealthes and Comminalties But it was nothing 〈◊〉 respect of Mexico and Cusco where Sathan was in â—ome or in his Ierusalem vntill he was cast out against his will and the holy Crosse planted in his place and the Kingdome of Christ our God occupied the which the tyrant did vsurpe Of some Feast celebrated by them of Cusco and how the Divell would imitate the mysterie of the holy Trinitie CHAP. 28. TO conclude that which concernes Religion there restes something to speake of the feasts and solemnities which the Indians did celebrate the which for that they are divers and many cannot be all specified The Ingnas Lords of Peru had two kindes of feasts some were ordinarie which fell out in certaine moneths of the yeere and others extraordinary which were for certaine causes of importance as when they did crowne a new King when they beganne some warre of importance when they had any great neede of water or drought or other like things For the ordinary feasts we must vnderstand that every moneth of the yeare they made feasts and divers sacrifices and although all of them had this alike that they offered a hundred sheepe yet in colour and in forme they are very divers In the first moneth which they call Rayme which is the moneth of December they made their first feast which was the principall of all others and for that cause they called it Capacrayme which is to say a rich and principall feast In this feast they offered a great number of sheepe and lambs in sacrifice and they burnt them with sweete wood then they caused gold and silver to be brought vpon certaine sheepe setting vppon them three Images of the Sun and three of the thunder the father the sonne and the brother In these feasts they dedicated the Inguas children putting the Guaras or ensignes vpon them and they pierced their eares then some olde man did whip them with slings and annoynted their faces with blood all in signe that they should be true Knights to the Ingua No stranger might remaine in Cusco during this moneth and this feast but at the end thereof they entred and they gave vnto them peeces of the paste of mays with the blood of the sacrifice which they did eate in signe of confederation with the Ingua as hath bin said before It is strange that the Divell after his manner hath brought a trinitie into idolatry for the three images of the Sunne called Apomti Churunti and Intiquaoqui which signifieth father and lord Sunne the sonne Sunne and the brother Sunne In the like maner they named the three Images of Chuquilla which is the God that rules in the region of the aire where it thunders raines and snows I remember that being in Cuquisaca an honourable priest shewed me an information which I had long in my handes where it was prooved that there was a certaine Guaca or Oratory whereas the Indians did worship an idoll called Tangatanga which they saide was one in three and three in one And as this Priest stood amazed the reat I saide that the Divell by his infernall and obstinate pride whereby he alwayes pretendes to make himselfe God did steale all that he could from the trueth to imploy it in his lyings and deceits Comming then to the feast of the second moneth which they called Camey besides the sacrifices which they made they did cast the ashes into the river following five or sixe leagues after praying it to carry them into the sea for that the Virochoca should there receive this present In the third fourth and fift moneth they offered a hundred blacke sheepe speckled and grey with many other things which I omitte for being too tedious The â—ixt moneth is called Hatâ—â—cuZ qui Aymorey which answereth to Maie in the which they sacrificed a hundred sheepe more of all colours in this moone and moneth which is when they bring Maie from the fieldes into the house they made a feast which is yet very vsuall among the Indians and they doe call it Aymorey This feast is made comming from the Chacra or farme vnto the house saying certaine songs and praying that the Mays may long continue the which they call Mamacora They take a certaine portion of the most fruitefull of the Mays that growes in their farmes the which they put in a certaine grenier which they doe call Pirua with certaine ceremonies watching three nightes they put this Mays in the richest garments they have and beeing thus wrapped and dressed they worship this Pirua and hold it in great veneration saying it is the mother of the mays of their inheritances and that by this means the mays augments is preserved In this moneth they make a particular sacrifice and the witches demaund of this Pirua if it hath strength sufficient to continue vntill the next yeare and if it answers no then they carry this Mays to the farme to burne whence they brought it according to every mans power then make they another Pirua with the same ceremonies saying that they renue it to the end the seede of Mays may not perish and if it answers that it hath force sufficient to last longer they leave it vntill the next yeare This foolish vanitie continueth to this day and it is very common amongest the Indians to have these Piruas to make the feast of Aymorey The seaventh moneth answereth to Iune and is called Aâ—caycuZ qui Intiraymi in it they made the feast that is called Intiraymi in the which they sacrificed a hundred sheepe called Guanacos and saide it was the feast of the Sunne In this moneth they made many Images of Quinua wood carved all attired with rich garmentes and they made their dancings which they do call Cayo At this feast they cast flowers in the high wayes and thither the Indians came painted and their noblemen had small plates of golde vpon their beards and all did sing wee must vnderstand that this feast falleth almost at the same time whenas the Christians observe the solempnitie of the holy Sacrament which doth resemble it in some sort as in dauncing singing and representations And for this cause there hath beene and is yet among the Indians which celebrated a feast somewhat like to ours of the holy Sacrament many superstitions in celebrating this ancient feast of Intiâ—aymi The eight month is called Chahua Huarqui in the which they did burne a hundred sheepe more all grey of the colour of Viscacha according to the former order which
last Successours Inguas CHAP. 23. THe rest of this subiect is handled at large by the Spanish Writers in the histories of the Indies and for that it is not my purpose I will speake only of the succession of the Inguas Atahulpa being dead in Xaxamalca and Guascar in Cusco and Francis Pizarre with his people having seised on the realme Mangocapa sonne to Guaynacapa besieged them in Cusco very straightly but in the end he abandoned the whole Countrey and retired himselfe to Vilca Bamba where he kept himselfe in the mountaines by reason of the rough and difficult accesse and there the successors Inguas remained vntill Amaro who was taken and executed in the market place of Cusco to the Indians incredible griefe and sorrow seeing iustice doone vpon him publiquely whome they helde for their Lorde After which time they imprisoned others of the linage of these Inguas I have knowne Don Charles grand-childe to Guaynacapa and son to Polo who was baptized and alwayes favoured the Spaniards against Mangocapa his brother when the Marquise of Canette governed in this Countrey Sarritopaingua went from Vilcabamba and came vpon assurance to the citty of Kings where there was given to him the valley of Yucay and other things to whom succeeded a daughter of his Beholde the succession which is knowne at this day of that great and rich familie of the Inguas whose raigne continued above three hundred yeeres wherein they reckon eleaven successors vntill it was wholy extinguished In the other linage of Vrincusco which as we have said before had his beginning likewise from the first Mangocapa they reckon eight successors in this sort To Mangocapa succeeded Cinchoraca to him Capac Yupangui to him Lluqui Yupangui to him Maytacapaest Tarcogumam vnto whome succeeded his sonne whome they name not to this son succeeded Don Iean Tambo Maytapanaça This sufficeth for the originall and succession of the Inguas that governed the land of Peru with that that I have spoken of their Lawes Governement and manner of life Of the manner of the Mexicaines common-weale CHAP. 24. ALthough you may see by the historie which shal be written of the kingdome succession beginning of the Mexicaines their maner of commonweale and governement yet will I speake briefly what I shall thinke fitte in generall to be most observed Whereof I will discourse more amply in the historie The first point whereby we may iudge the Mexicaine governement to be very politike is the order they had and kept inviolable in the election of their king for since their first called Acamapach vnto their last which was Moteçuma the second of that name there came none to the crowne by right of succession but by a lawfull nomination and election This election in the beginning was by the voyce of the commons although the chiefe men managed it Since in the time of Iscoalt the fourth king by the advise and order of a wise and valiant man called Tlacael there were foure certayne Electours appoynted which with two lordes or kings subiect to the Mexicaine the one of Tescuco and the other of Tucuba had power to make this election They did commonly choose yoongmen for their kings because they went alwayes to the warres and this was in a manner the chiefe cause why they desired them so They had a speciall regard that they shoulde be fit for the warres and take delight and glory therein After the election they made twoo kindes of feasts the one in taking possession of the royall estate for the which they went to the Temple making great ceremonies and sacrifices vppon the harth called Divine where there was a continuall fire before the Altare of the idoll and after some Rhethoritians practised therein made many Orations and Speeches The other feast and the most solempne was at his coronation for the which he must first overcome in battell and bring a certaine number of captives which they must sacrifice to their gods he entred in triumph with great pompe making him a solempne reception aswell they of the Temple who went all in procession sounding on sundry sortes of instruments giving incense and singing like Secular men as also the Courtiers who came forth with their devises to receive the victorious king The Crowne or royall ensigne was before like to a Myter and behinde it was cut so as it was not round for the fore parte was higher and did rise like a poynt The king of Tescuco had the privilege to crown the king of Mexico The Mexicaines have beene very duetifull and loyall vnto their kings and it hath not beene knowne that they have practised any treason against them onely their Histories report that they sought to poison their king called Ticocic being a coward and of small account but it is not found that there hath beene any dissentions or partialities amongest them for ambition thogh it be an ordinary thing in Comminalties but contrariwise they reporte as you shall see heereafter that a man the best of the Mexicaines refused this realme seeming vnto him to be very expedient for the Common-weale to have an other king In the beginning when the Mexicaines were but poore and weake the kings were very moderate in their expenses and in their Court but as they increased in power they increased likewise in pompe and state vntill they came to the greatnesse of Moteçuma who if hee had had no other thing but his house of beasts and birds it had beene a prowde thing the like whereof hath not beene seene for there was in this house all sortes of fish birds of Xacamamas and beasts as in an other Noahs Arke for sea fish there were pooles of salt-water and for river fish lakes of fresh-water birds that do prey were fedde and likewise wilde beasts in great aboundaunce there were very many Indians imployed for the keeping of these beasts and when he found an impossibilitie to nourish any sort of fish fowle or wilde beast hee caused the image or likenesse to be made richly cutte in pretious stones silver or golde in marble or in stone and for all sortes of entertainements hee had his severall houses and pallaces some of pleasure others of sorrowe and mourning and others to treate of the affairs of the realme There was in this pallace many chambers according to the qualitie of noble men that served him with a strange order and distinction Of the titles and dignities the Indians vsed CHAP. 25. THe Mexicaines have beene very curious to divide the degrees and dignities amongst the Noble men and Lords that they might distinguish them to whom they were to give the greatest honour The dignity of these foure Electors was the greatest and most honourable next to the king and they were chosen presently after the kings election They were commonly brothers or very neare kinsmen to the king and were called Tlacohecalcalt which signifies prince of darts the which they cast being a kind of armes they vse much The next dignitie to this
into a very darke chappell where their idoll was that he might offer sacrifice to his daughter that was in that place But it chanced that the incense that was vpon the harth according to their custome kindled in such sort as hee might discerne his daughters haire and having by this meanes discovered the crueltie and deceit hee went forth crying alowde and with all his men he fell vpon the Mexicaines forcing them to retyre to the lake so as they were almost drowned The Mexicaines defended themselves casting certaine little darts which they vsed in the warres wherewith they much galled their ennemies But in the end they got land and leaving that place they coasted along the lake very weary and wet the women and little children crying and making great exclamations against them and their god that had brought them into this distresse They were inforced to passe a river that could not be waded through and therefore they advised to make small boates of their targets and of reedes wherein they passed Then afterwardes having left Culhuacan they arived at Iztacalco and finally to the place where the hermitage of Saint Anthonie now is at the entry of Mexico and to that quarter which they now call S. Paul During which time their idoll did comfort them in their travells and incoraged them promising great matters Of the Foundation of Mexico CHAP. 7. THe time being now come that the father of lies should accomplish his promise made to his people who could no longer suffer so many turnings travells and dangers it happened that some old priests or sorcerers being entred into a place full of water-lillies they met with a very faire and cleere current of water which seemed to be silver and looking about they found the trees medowes fish and all that they beheld to be very white wondring heereat they remembred a prophecie of their god whereby he had given them that for a token of their place of rest and to make them Lords of other Nations Then weeping for ioy they returned to the people with these good newes The night following VitzliputZli appeared in a dreame to an antient priest saying that they should seeke out a Tunal in the lake which grew out of a stone which as he told them was the same place where by his commandement they had cast the heart of Copil sonne to the sorceresse their enemy and vpon this Tunal they should see a goodly Eagle which fed on certaine small birdes When they should see this they should beleeve it was the place where their Cittie should be built the which shuld surmountal others be famous throughout the world Morning being come the old man assembled the whole people from the greatest to the least making a long speach vnto them how much they were bound vnto their god and of the Revelation which although vnworthy hee had received that night concluding that all must seeke out that happie place which was promised them which bred such devotion and ioy in them all that presently they vndertooke the enterprise and dividing themselves into bandes they beganne to search following the signâ—s of the revelation of the desired place Amiddest the thickest of these water-lillies in the lake they met with the same course of water they had seene the day before but much differing being not white but red like blood the which divided it selfe into two streames whereof the one was of a very obscure azure the which bred admiration in them noting some great mistery as they said After much search heere and there the Tunal appeared growing on a stone whereon was a royall Eagle with the wings displaied towardâ—s the Sunne receiving his heat About this Eagle were many rich fethers white red yellow blew and greene of the same sort as they make their images which Eage held in his tallants a goodly birde Those which sawe it and knew it to be the place fore-tolde by the Oracle fel on their knees doing great worship to the Eagle which bowed the head looking on every sideâ—â—hen was their great cries demonstrations and thankes vnto the Creator and to their great god Vitzliputzli who was there father and had alwaies told them truth For this reason they called the cittie which they founded there Tenoxtiltan which signifies Tunal on a stone and to this day they carry in their armes an Eagle vpon a Tunal with a bird in his tallant and standing with the other vpon the Tunal The day following by common consent they made an hermitage adioyning to the Tunal of the Eagle that the Arke of their god might rest there till they might have meanes to build him a sumptuous Temple and so they made this hermitage of flagges turfes covered with straw then having consulted with their god they resolved to buy of their neighbours stone timber lime in exchange of fish frogges and yong kids and for duckes water-hennes courlieus and divers other kindes of sea fowles All which things they did fish and hunt for in this Lake whereof there is great aboundance They went with these things to the markets of the Townes and Citties of the Tapanecans and of them of Tescuco their neighbours and with pollicie they gathered together by little and little what was necessary for the building of their Cittie so as they built a better Chappell for their idoll of lime and stone and laboured to fill vp a great part of the lake with rubbish This done the idoll spake one night to one of his priests in these tearmes Say vnto the Mexicaines that the Noblemen divide themselves everie one with their kinsfolkes and friends and that they divide themselves into foure principall quarters about the house which you have built for my rest and let every quarter build in his quarter at his pleasure The which was put in execution and those be the foure principall quarters of Mexico which are called at this day S. Iean S. Mary the round S. Paul and S. Sebastian After this the Mexicaines being thus divided into these foure quarters their god commanded them to divide amongest them the gods he should name to them and that they should give notice to every quarter principal of the other foure particall quarters where their gods should be worshipped So as vnder every one of these foure principall quartâ—rs there were many lesse comprehended according to the number of the idolls which their god commanded them to worship which they called Calpultetco which is as much to say as god of the quarters In this manner the Cittie of Mexico Tenoxtiltan was founded and grew great Of the sedition of those of Tlatelulco and of the first Kings the Mexicaines did choose CHAP. 8. THis division being made as afore-said some olde men and Antients held opinion that in the division they had not respected them as they deserved for this cause they and their kinsfolke did mutine and went to seeke another residence and as they went thorough the lake they found a small peece of ground
leaving his sonne Chimalpopoca tenne yeares olde hee raigned thirteene yeeres and died thirty yeeres old or little more Hee was held for a good king and carefull in the service of his gods whose Images hee held kings to be and that the honour done to their god was done to the king who was his image For this cause the kings have beene so affectionate to the service of their gods This king was carefull to winne the love of his neighbours and to trafficke with them whereby hee augmented his citty exercising his men in warrelike actions in the Lake disposing them to that which he pretended as you shall see presently Of Chimalpopoca the third king and his cruell death and the occasion of warre which the Mexicaines made CHAP. 11. THe Mexicaines for successor to their deceased king did choose his sonne Chimalpopoca by common consent although he were a child of tenne yeeres old being of opinion that it was alwayes necessary to keepe the favor of the king of AzcapuZalco making his grand-childe king They then set him in his throane giving him the ensignes of warre with a bowe and arrowes in one hand and a sword with rasours which they commonly vse in the right signifying thereby as they do say that they pretended by armes to set themselves at liberty The Mexicaines had great want of water that of the Lake being very thicke and muddy and therefore ill to drincke so as they caused their infant king to desire of his grandfather the king of Azcapuzalco the water of the mountaine of Chapultepec which is from Mexico a league as is saide before which they easely obtained and by their industry made an aqueduct of faggots weeds and flagges by the which they brought water to their citty But because the Cittie was built within the Lake and the aqueduct did crosse it it did breake forth in many places so as they could not inioy the water as they desired and had great scarcitie whervpon whether they did expresly seeke it to quarrell with the Tapanecans or that they were mooved vppon small occasion in the end they sent a resolute ambassage to the king of AzcapuZalco saying they could not vse the water which he had gratiously granted them and therefore they required him to provide them wood lime and stone and to send his workmen that by their meanes they might make a pipe of stone and lime that should not breake This message nothing pleased the king and much lesse his subiects seeming to be too presumptuous a message and purposely insolent for vassals to their Lord. The chiefe of the Counsell disdaining thereat said it was too bold that not content with permission to live in an others land and to have water given them but they would have them goe to serve them what a matter was that And whereon presumed this fugitive nation shut vp in the mud They would let them know how fit they were to worke and to abate their pride in taking from them their land and their lives In these termes and choller they left the king whom they did somwhat suspect by reason of his grandchild and consulted againe anew what they were to doe where they resolved to make a generall proclamation that no Tapanecan should have any commerce or trafficke with any Mexicaine that they should not goe to their Cittie nor receive any into theirs vpon paine of death Whereby we may vnderstand that the king did not absolutely commaund over his people and that he governed more like a Consul or a Duke than a King although since with their power the commaund of Kings increased growing absolute Tyrants as you shal see in the last Kings For it hath beene an ordinarie thing among the Barbarians that such as their power hath beene such hath beene their commaund yea in our Histories of Spaine we finde in some antient kings that manner of rule which the Tapanecans vsed Such were the first kings of the Romans but that Rome declined from Kings to Consuls and a Senate till that after they came to be commaunded by Emperours But these Barbarians of temperate Kings became tyrants of which governements a moderate monarchy is the best and most assured But returne we now vnto our historie The king of Azcapuzalco seeing the resolution of his subiects which was to kil the Mexicans intreated them first to steale away the yong king his grand-childe and afterwards do what they pleased to the Mexicans All in a manner yeelded heerevnto to give the king contentment and for pitty they had of the child but two of the chiefest were much opposite inferring that it was bad counsell for that Chimalpopoca although hee were of their bloud yet was it but by the mothers side and that the fathers was to be preferred and therefore they concluded that the first they must kill was Chimalpopoca king of Mexico protesting so to doe The king of AzcapuZalco was so troubled with this contradiction and the resolution they had taken that soone after for very griefe he fell sicke and died By whose death the Tapanâ—cans finishing their consultation committed a notable treason for one night the yong King of Mexico sleeping without guard or feare of any thing they of Azcapuzalco entred his pallace and slew him sodainly returning vnseene The morning being come when the Nobles wâ—nt to salute the King as they were accustomed they found him slaine with great and cruell wounds then they cried out and filled all their cittie with teares and transported with choller they presently fell to armes with an intent to revenge their Kings death As they ranne vppe and downe full of fury and disorder one of their chiefest knightes stept foorth labouring to appease them with a grave admonition Whither goe you saide hee O yee Mexicaines quiet your selves consider that things done without consideration arâ— not well guided nor come to good end suppresse your griefe considering that although your king be dead the noble blood of the Mexicaines is not extinct in him Wee have children of our kings deceased by whose conduct succeeding to the realme you shall the better execute what you pretend having a leader to guide your enterprise go not blindely surcease and choose a king first to guide and encourage you against your enâ—mies In the meane time dissemble discreetly performing the funeralls of your deceased king whose body you see heere present for heereafter you shall finde better meanes to take revâ—nge By this meanes the Mexicans passed no farther but stayed to make the obsequies of their King wherevnto they invited the Lords of Tescuco and Culhuacan reporting vnto them this foule and cruell fact which the Tapanecans had committed moving them to have pitty on them and incensing them against their ennemies concluding that their resolution was to die or to bee revenged of so great an indignitie intreating them not to favour so vniust a fact of their enemies and that for their part they desired not their aide of armes or men but onely to
of water which they of Cuyoacan vsed For this cause he called the chiefe man of the cittie vnto him being a famous sorcerer having propounded his meaning vnto him the sorcerer wished him to be well advised what hee did being a matter of great difficulty and that hee vnderstoode if he drew the river out of her ordinary course making it passe to Mexico hee would drowne the citty The king supposed these excuses were but to frustrate the effect of his desseigne being therefore in choler he dismissed him home and a few dayes after hee sent a provost to Cuyoacan to take this Sorcerer who having vnderstanding for what intent the kings officers came hee caused them to enter his house and then he presented himself vnto them in the forme of a terrible Eagle wherewith the provost and his companions being terrified they returned without taking him AutZol incensed herewith sent others to whome hee presented himselfe in forme of a furious tygre so as they durst not touch him The third came and they found him in the forme of a horrible serpent whereat they were much afraide The king mooved the more with these dooings sent to tell them of Cuyoacan that if they brought not the sorcerer bound vnto him he would raze their citty For feare whereof or whether it were of his owne free will or being forced by the people he suffered himselfe to be led to the king who presently caused him to be strangled and then did he put his resolution in practise forcing a chanell whereby the water might passe to Mexico whereby hee brought a great current of water into the Lake which they brought with great ceremonies and superstitions having priests casting incense along the banks others sacrificed quailes and with the bloud of them sprinckled the channell bankes others sounding of cornets accompanied the water with their musicke One of the chiefe went attired in a habite like to their goddesse of the water and all saluted her saying that shee was welcome All which things are painted in the Annales of Mexico which booke is now at Rome in the holy Library or Vaticane where a father of our company that was come from Mexico did see it and other histories the which he did expound to the keeper of his Holinesse Library taking great delight to vnderstand this booke which before hee could never comprehend Finally the water was brought to Mexico but it came in such aboundaunce that it had welneere drowned the cittie as was foretold and in effect it did ruine a great parte thereof but it was presently prevented by the industry of Autzol who caused an issue to be made to draw foorth the water by meanes whereof hee repaired the buildings that were fallen with an exquisite worke being before but poore cotages Thus he left the citty invironed with water like another Venice and very well built hee raigned eleaven yeares and ended with the last and greatest successor of all the Mexicans Of the election of great Moteçuma the last king of Mexico CHAP. 20. WHen the Spaniards entred new Spaine being in the yeare of our Lorde one thousand five hundred and eighteen Moteçuma second of that name was the last king of the Mexicaines I say the last although they of Mexico after his death chose another king yea in the life of the same Moteçuma whome they declared an enemy to his country as we shall see heereafter But hee that succeeded him and hee that fell into the hands of the Marquise de Valle had but the names and titles of Kings for that the kingdome was in a maner al yeelded to the Spaniards so as with reason we account Moteçuma for the last king and so hee came to the periode of the Mexicaines power and greatnesse which is admirable being happened among Barbarians for this cause and for that this was the season that God had chosen to reveale vnto them the knowledge of his Gospel and the kingdome of Iesus Christ I will r◠late more at large the actes of Moteçuma then of the rest Before he came to be king he was by disposition ve◠ry grave and stayed and spake little so as when he◠gave his opinion in the privy counsell whereas he assisted his speeches and discourses made every one to admire him so as even then he was feared and respected He retired himselfe vsually into a Chappell appointed for him in the Temple of Vitziliputzli where they said their Idoll spake vnto him and for this cause hee was helde very religious and devout For these perfections then being most noble and of great courage his election was short and easie as a man vpon whom al mens eyes were fixed as woorthy of such a charge Having intelligence of this election hee hidde himselfe in this chappell of the Temple whether it were by iudgement apprehending so heavy and hard a burthen as to governe such a people or rather as I beleeve throgh hypocrisie to shew that he desired not Empery In the end they found him leading him to the place of councell whither they accompanied him with all possible ioy hee marched with such a gravitie as they all sayd the name of Moteçuma agreed very wel with his nature which is as much to say as an angry Lord. The electors did him great reverence giving him notice that hee was chosen king from thence he was ledde before the harth of their gods to give incense where he offered sacrifices in drawing bloud from his eares the calves of his legges according to their custome They attired him with the royall ornaments and pierced the gristle of his nosthrils hanging thereat a rich emerald a barbarous troublous custome but the desire of rule made all paine light and easie Being seated in his throne he gave andience to the Orations and Speeches that were made vnto him which according vnto their custome were eloquent and artificiall The first was pronounced by the king of Tescuco which being preserved for that it was lately delivered very worthy to be heard I will set it downe word by word and thus hee sayde The concordance and vnitie of voyces vpon thy election is a sufficient testimonie most noble yong man of the happines the realme shall receive as well deserving to be commaunded by thee as also for the generall applause which all doe shew by meanes thereof Wherein they have great reason for the Empire of Mexico doth alreadie so farre extend it selfe that to governe a world as it is and to beare so heavie a burthen it requires no lesse dexteritie and courage than that which is resident in thy firme and valiant heart nor of lesse wisedome and iudgement than thine I see and know plainely that the mightie God loveth this Cittie seeing he hath given vnderstanding to choose what was fit For who will not beleeve that a Prince who before his raigne had pierced the nine vaultes of heaven should not likewise nowe obtaine those things that are earthlie to releeve his people