Part 14

The voyce of the Diuell spake vnto him, bidding him not to feare the Christians, saying they were but fewe, and when they were come, he should doe what he lysted with them, willing him in no wise to ceasse from the bloudy sacrifice, least some mischance might happen vnto him. And assured hym that he should haue the Goddes _Vitzipuchtli_, and _Tescatlipuca_ to preserue and kéepe hym. And bycause _Quezalcouatle_ was agréeued for wante of bloudy sacrifice, he permitted the Straungers to punishe them of _Chololla_. And _Mutezuma_ hearing this dyuelishe Oracle, and likewise _Cortez_ hauing warned him that hée would visite hym as an enimie, he was by this perswasion of Sathan, the better willing to receyue hym into _Mexico_.

Likewise _Cortes_ when he came to _Chololla_, was strong, and hadde at commaundemente a mightie power, and there made hymselfe stronger, the fame whereof, was blowen abroade, throughout all the dominions of _Mutezuma_. And whereas the poore _Indians_ hadde but onely maruelled at their persons and furniture, nowe they began to tremble and to feare at his doings, so that wheresoeuer he came, they opened him the gates with pure feare, more than for any loue.

[Sidenote: An euill counsellor.]

_Mutezuma_ at the beginning, pretended to feare _Cortes_ with the fearefull passages and other perils and danger, as the fortitude of _Mexico_, with his greate multitude of subiectes, and the great number of Princes that dyd both serue and obey him: and séeyng that all these things profited not, he thoughte to haue ouercome him with gyftes and treasure, knowyng that he hadde required golde: yet he sawe that nothing woulde preuayle, for that _Cortez_ woulde néedes come to sée hym, wherevppon, he tooke counsell of the Diuell what he shoulde doe in that case, vpon which counsell he was satisfyed by hys Priests and Captaynes, that he ought not to warre against so fewe straungers, for if he so did, the dishonor would be his, and chiefly, bycause _Cortez_ certifyed that he was an Ambassador, and vsing hym otherwise, it myghte so fall out, that hys owne subiectes would rebell againste him theyr Lorde and Prince, saying likewise that it was manifest that the _Otomies_ and _Tlaxcaltecas_ woulde fauour his syde, and also manye others, for to destroy and spoyle _Mexico_, vpon which consultation it was openly proclaymed, that his will was that the straungers should enter into _Mexico_ fréely, thinking that if at anye time they shoulde displease hym, to make a breakefast of them the nexte day.

Things that happened to Cortez in _his iourney to Mexico_.

_Cortez_ hauyng so good an aunswere of the Ambassadors, he gaue licence to as manye of the _Indians_ hys friendes, as listed to departe home to their houses, and he likewise departed from _Chololla_ with some borderers that would néedes follow him.

[Sidenote: Oh vvise Cortes.]

He lefte the way that the _Mexicans_ had perswaded him to come, for it was bothe euill and daungerous, as the Spaniarde whiche went to the vulcan had séene, he went another playner way and more nearer. That day he traueled but foure leagues, bicause he meant to lodge in the villages of _Huexozinco_, where he was friendly receyued, and they presented vnto him slaues, garments, and golde, although but little, for they are poore by reason that _Mutezuma_ hath enuironed them aboute, bicause they were of the parcialitie of _Tlaxcallan_. The next day in the morning he ascended vp a hill couered with snowe, which was sixe myles of heigth, where if the .30000. Souldiers had wayted for them, they might easily haue taken them, by reason of the great colde: and from the toppe of that hill, they discouered y^e land of _Mexico_, and the great lake with his villages rounde about, whiche is an excéedyng goodly sight. But when _Cortes_ saw that beautifull thing, his ioy was without comparison, and he tooke not so much pleasure, but some of his men feared as muche, and there was a murmuration among them to returne backe againe, yea and like to haue bene a mutinie among them. But _Cortes_ with his wisedome and dissimulation did pacifie the matter, with courage, hope, and gentle wordes, and they seing that their Captayne at all assayes was the first himselfe, they feared the lesse the things that they imagined. And discending downe into the playn, they found a great large house, sufficient for him and all his company, with sixe thousande _Indians_ of _Tlaxcallan_, _Huexozinco_, and _Chololla_. And y^e seruants of _Mutezuma_ made cotages of straw for the _Tamemez_ or carriers, who were ladë with the fardage, and victuals: there was a good supper prepared for them, and great fires to warme them, and all things necessary. Thither came many principall persons from _Mexico_ to visite him, among whome was a kinsman of _Mutezuma_, who presented vnto _Cortes_ the value of thrée thousand Ducates in gold, & besought him to returne backe againe, and to haue consideration of the pouertie, hunger, & euill way, yea and to passe in litle boates in daunger of drowning. And as for tribute to be giuen to the Emperour, a greater summe should be appointed thë though he went personally to _Mexico_, yea and that it should be payde at what place he would apoint. _Cortes_ welcomed them, as reason did require, and presented vnto them haberdashe toyes, which they estemed in much, & chiefly he did louingly entertayne _Mutezuma_ his kinesman, vnto whome he made this answere, saying, I woulde gladly serue & pleasure such a mightie prince as your soueraigne _Mutezuma_ is, if it lay in my handes without offence of the King my mayster, and concerning my goyng to _Mexico_, _Mutezuma_ shall receyue both pleasure and honour rather than otherwise, & after I haue talked with him I will soone returne, likewise hunger I feare not, neyther yet doubt that I nor none of mine shall wante, and for my passage on the water, I say it is nothing in comparison of twoo thousande leagues, which I haue sayled onely to come and visit him.

But yet for all this talke, if they had founde him carelesse, they would haue pinched him as some doth say, for he gaue them to vnderstand that he nor his men slept not by night, nor yet vnarmed themselues, yea and also if it chanced thë to find in the night season any that were not of their company, they slew them out of häd, desiring him to aduise his men thereof, least any of them should happen to fall into that daunger, which would much grieue him, and with this talke they went all to take their reste.

The next day in the morning he proceded forward and came to _Amaquemecan_ which is two leagues frö thence, & standeth in the prouince of _Chalco_, a towne that cötayneth 20000. householders. The Lorde of that towne presented to _Cortes_ fourtie women slaues, and .3000. Ducats in gold, with meate abüdantly for two dayes, and secretely made complaynt vnto him of _Mutezuma_. And from thence he went to another towne foure leagues from thëce, the one half therof was builte vpon the lake, and the other halfe vpon the lande at the foote of a ragged hill. There went in his company many subiectes of _Mutezuma_ for purueyors, but yet both they and the townes men would fayne haue layde hand vpon the Spaniardes, and euery night would sende their spies to sée what the Christians did, but the watch slew about twentie of them, whervpon the matter stayed and their pretence tooke no effect: sure it is a thing to laugh at, for at euery fancie they woulde proue to kill them, and yet they were not for the purpose. The nexte day in the mornyng came twelue Lordes from _Mexico_, among whome was _Cacama_ Neuew to _Mutezuma_, who was Lorde of _Tezcuco_ a yong man of .xxv. yeares of age, whom the _Indians_ did much honour: he was carried vpon their shoulders, & when they set him downe one went before with a brome to swéep the dust out of his way. These Gentlemen came to accöpany _Cortes_ excusing _Mutezuma_, saying that he was not well at ease & therfore he came not personally to receiue him. And yet they entreated _Cortes_ to returne backe againe, & not to come vnto _Mexico_, gyuing him to vnderstand by signes, y^t they would there displease him, yea & also defend the passage & entrance, a thing easie to be done, but they were either blinded or else they durst not breake the Calsey. _Cortes_ entertayned thë like noble më, & gaue vnto thë of his haberdashe, & departed from y^e towne w^t many graue personages who carried with thë a great trayne, whiche filled vp the way well nigh as they should passe, wödring at their beardes, harneys, apparell, horses & ordinaunce, saying to themselues, these be Gods. _Cortes_ gaue them warning not to come among the horses, nor among his men, for feare they would kil them. This he made them beléeue bicause he would not haue his way stopped, for y^t the number of thë was so great. They then came to a towne buylte vpon the water of two thousand houses, and before they came thither they had gone more than halfe a league vppon a fayre Calsey, whiche was twentie foote brode: the towne had fayre houses and many towers: the Lord of the towne did receyue them worshipfully, and prouided all things plentifully, desiryng him to abide there that night, and secretly made complayntes against _Mutezuma_, of many wrongs and exactions done by him, and certified him, that from thence the way was very fayre to _Mexico_, and al the like calsey as he had passed. With this newes _Cortes_ was very glad, for he meant to haue stayed there for to haue buylte barkes and foystes, & yet he feared least they woulde breake the calsey, wherfore he had alwayes a care ouer _Cacama_, who with the other Lordes desired him not to abide there, but to procéede forward to _Iztacpalapan_, which was but twoo leagues off, and that the Lorde thereof was another Neuew to _Mutezuma_. To admit their request he wët with them to that towne, and from thence to _Mexico_ was but twoo leagues, the which the next day he might goe at pleasure, and come timely into the Citie, & in this order came to _Iztacpalapan_.

Euery two houres came messengers betwixte _Cortes_ and _Mutezuma_: then came _Cuetlauac_ Lorde of that towne, with the Lorde _Culhuacan_ his kinsman to receyue him, who presented vnto him, slaues, garments, and feathers, and to the value of foure thousande Ducates in golde. _Cuetlauac_ receyued al the Spaniards into his own house, whiche hath very fayre lodgings all of stone and Carpenters worke excéeding well wrought, with high & lowe roumes, with all kinde of seruice: The chambers were hanged with cloth of Cotten, very rich, after their maner. There were fayre gardës replenished with many swéete floures, and swéete trées garnished with networke, made of Canes, and couered with roses and other fine hearbes, with sundry pondes of swéete water. There was an other garden very beautifull of all sortes of fruytes and hearbes, with a great ponde walled with lyme and stone, and was foure hundreth paces square, made with fayre steppes to discende vnto the bottome in many places, and was full of diuers kindes of fishes, and many kinde of water birds, which somtimes couered y^e pond, as Gulles, Mewes, and such like. _Iztacpallapan_ is a towne of .10000. households, & is pläted in a lake of salt water, the one half of the towne buylt on the water, & the other on the lande.

The Solemne pompe vvherevvith _Cortez was receyued into Mexico_.

From _Iztacpalapan_ to _Mexico_ is twoo leagues all vpon a fayre calsey, vpon the which eight horsemë may passe on räke, and so directly straight as though it had bene made by line. And who soeuer hath good eiesight might discerne the gates of _Mexico_ from thence. _Coyoacan_ is a towne of sixe thousande dwellers, _Vizilopuchtli_ is of fiue thousand. These townes are planted in the lake, and are adorned with many temples, whiche haue many fayre towers, that doe beautifie excedingly the lake. There is great contractatiö of Salte, which is made there, and from thence is carried abrode to fayres and markets, whiche thing was a greate rente to _Mutezuma_. Vpon this Calsey are many drawebridges buylt vpon fayre arches that the water passeth through.

_Cortes_ passed this calsey with .400. Spaniardes, & .6000. _Indians_ his friends: theyr passage was with much ado, by reason of the great multitude of _Indians_ which came to sée him, & cöming neare the citie, there adioyned another calsey with a broder passage, where standeth a strong bulwark of stone of the heigth of .ij. fadom, with two towers on eche side, and two gates very strong. Here at this forte came thrée thousande Courtiers and Citizens to receyue him, & euery of them touched the grounde with his right hand and kissed it, and passed forwards in the order as they came. These salutatiös endured an houre & more. From the bulwark the calsey lieth directly, and before the entraunce into the streate there is an other drawe bridge made of timber ten paces broade, vnder the which the water passeth too and fro. At this bridge came _Mutezuma_ to receyue _Cortes_ vnder a Canapie of gréene feathers & golde with much argentery hangyng thereat, whiche Canapie foure noble men did carry. And the two princes _Cuetlauac_, and _Cacama_ his neuewes, did leade him by eache arme: all thrée were riche appareled & al of one fashion, except _Mutezuma_, whiche had a payre of shoes of golde besette with pretious stones, and the soles were tied to the vpper part with latchets, as is paynted of the Antikes. His Gentlemen wente by two and two laying downe and taking vp mantels and couerlets vpon the ground, bicause his féete should not touche the same: then followed him as in procession .200. noble men barefooted, with garments of a richer liuery then the first thrée thousand. _Mutezuma_ came in the middest of the streate, and the others came behinde him as nigh the wal as they mought, their faces towards the grounde, for it was a great offence to looke him in the face. _Cortes_ alighted from his horse, and according to our vse went to embrace him, but the Princes who led him by the armes would not suffer him to come so nigh, for they held it for sin to touch him, but yet saluted ech one y^e other.

_Cortes_ put about _Mutezuma_ his necke a coller of Margarites, Diamondes, & other stones al of glasse. _Mutezuma_ receyued it thankfully, & wente before with one of the princes his Neuewes, & cömaunded the other to lead _Cortes_ by the hand next after him in the middest of the streat: and procéeding forwarde in this order, then came the Gëtlemen in the richest liuery to welcome him one by one, touchyng the ground with their handes, & after returned to their standyng. And if the Citizens had come as they requested, all y^e day would not haue serued for salutatiös. The coller of glasse pleased well _Mutezuma_, and bycause he woulde not take without giuyng a better thing as a great prince, he commaunded to be brought twoo collers of redde prawnes, which there are muche estéemed, and at euery one of them hanged eight shrimpes of gold of excellent workemanship, & of a finger length euery one, he put these collers with the owne hands about _Cortes_ his necke, the which was estéemed a most great fauour, yea and the _Indians_ marueled at it. At this time they were come to the streate ende, whiche was almost a mile long, broade, straight and very fayre and full of houses on eche side, in whose dores, windowes and tops was such a multitude of _Indians_ to beholde the strangers, that I knowe not who wondered most, our men to sée such a number of them, or else they to sée our men, their ordinance & horses, a thing so straunge vnto them. They were brought vnto a great court or house of idols, which was y^e lodging of _Axaiaca_, at the dore where of _Mutezuma_ tooke _Cortes_ by the hande and brought him into a fayre hall, and placed him vpon a riche carpet, saying vnto him, Sir nowe are you in your owne house, eate and take your rest & pleasure, for I wil shortly come and visite you againe. Such (as you heare) was the receiuing of _Hernando Cortes_ by _Mutezuma_ a most mightie King, into his great and famous Citie of _Mexico_, the eight day of Nouember .1519.

The Oration of Mutezuma to _the Spanyardes_.

[Sidenote: A strange opinion.]

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

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

[Sidenote: A louing aunsvvere.]

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

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

The Maiestie and order, vvherevvith _Mutezuma was serued_.

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

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

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

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