Part 19
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.]
My kinsmen, friendes and seruants, yée do well know that eightene yeares I haue bene your kyng, as my fathers and Grandfathers were, and alwaies I haue bene vnto you a louing Prince, and yée vnto me good and obedient subiectes, and so I hope you will remayne all the dayes of my life. Ye ought to haue in remembrance, that eyther ye haue heard of your fathers, or else our adeuines haue instructed you, that we are not naturalles of this countrey, nor yet our kingdome is durable, bycause our forefathers came from a farre countrey, and theyr king and captayne who brought them hither, returned againe to his naturall countrey, saying that he woulde sende suche as shoulde rule and gouerne vs, if by chaunce hée himselfe returned not. Beleeue ye assuredly, that the king whiche wée haue looked for so many yeares, is he that hath nowe sente these Spaniardes, whiche yée here sée. Who dothe certifie, that wée are their kinsmen, and that they haue had notice of vs a long tyme: lette vs therefore gyue thankes vnto the Goddes, that nowe they are comen in our dayes, beyng a thing that we so muche desired.
[Sidenote: Poore Mutezuma.]
Yée shall nowe doe me seruice and pleasure, that yée yéelde your selues vnto this Captayne for vassals of the Emperoure King of Spayne our soueraygne, I my self haue already yéelded me for his seruitour and friend, praying you that from hence forwardes ye obey him as ye haue obeyed mée. And that yée yéelde and pay vnto him the tributes, customes and seruice that ye were wont to pay vnto me, and in so doyng, ye can doe me no greater pleasure. Hys harte then woulde not suffer hym to speake any more, with the sobbes, sighes, and teares, that fell from hys eyes. All his subiectes there presente fell into a crie, wéepyng and mournyng, that for a good space they had no power to speake: they gaue thankes, and sighings, vtteryng with their mouthes many dolefull, and sorrowfull speaches, yea that it pitied our owne men at the hartes. But in conclusion, they answered that they would obey his commaundement. Then _Mutezuma_ and the Burgesses of Parliament in order yelded themselues for vassals of the king of _Castile_, promising loyaltie. This acte was set downe by the Notarie, and with witnesses auctorized. Then the _Indians_ departed home to their houses with sorowfull hartes, God knoweth, as you may imagine. It was a straunge thing to sée _Mutezuma_ wéepe with so many Noble men and Gentlemen, yea and with what griefe they became subiects to an vnknowë Prince, but they coulde not otherwise doe, seyng that _Mutezuma_ did commaunde the same.
[Sidenote: A true prophecie.]
Also they had a certaine Prognostication and forwarning by their Priestes of the comming from the east parties a straunge people, white of colour and bearded men, who should winne and rule that countrey. Likewise there was a secrete talke amög them, that in _Mutezuma_ should ende and finishe, not alone the lynage of _Culhua_, but also the Empyre and kingdome: therefore some were of opinion, not to name him _Mutezuma_ whiche signifieth, agrieued with misfortune. They say also that _Mutezuma_ himself had many times answere of the Oracle of the Gods, that in him shoulde finishe the _Mexican_ Emperours, and that no childe of his shoulde succéede in his kingdome, and that he should lose his seate in the eyght yeare of his raigne: & for these causes he woulde neuer procure warre to withstande the Spaniardes, beleuyng that they should be his successours. Yet on the other side he thought his opinion would take no place, for that he had raygned seuentene yeares: But this should séeme to come from the prouidence of God, whiche giueth kingdomes and taketh them away.
_Cortes_ gaue vnto _Mutezuma_ moste hartie thankes on the behalfe of the Emperour, and for himself, and comforted him, who was very sad, promysing also that alwayes he should be king and Lorde, & commaunde as heretofore he had done, and better, yea and also he should be chief ruler of all the other landes and countreys, that he shoulde gette and bryng to the seruice of the Emperour.
The Golde and Ievvels that Mutezuma _gaue vnto Cortes for tribute_.
After certaine dayes that _Mutezuma_ and his counsell had yéelden their obedience, _Cortes_ sayde vnto him, how that the Emperour was at great costes & charges in his warres, wherfore it should be necessary that his newe vassals shoulde begin to serue in some thing, and to pay their tribute, willyng him to sende throughout his dominion to sée what coulde be gathered of Gold, and that he himselfe should beginne firste to pay tribute to the example of others. _Mutezuma_ answered that he was contented so to doe, willyng that some of his men shoulde goe vnto the house of foule for the same. There went many, and there sawe golde in planches like brickebattes, Iewels, and péeces wrought in a hall, and two chambers which were opened vnto thë. The Spaniardes wödering at the sight, would not touch any thing, without giuing firste aduertisement to _Cortes_, who incontinent went thither, and caused it all to be carried to his lodgyng: besides this treasure _Mutezuma_ gaue vnto him rich clothes of cotten and feathers maruelously wouen in figures & colours, it séemed without cöparison, for the Spaniardes had neuer séene the like: he gaue vnto him more, twelue shooting tronkes, wherewith he himself was wont to passetime: some of them were paynted with birdes, beasts, floures & trées very perfite, a worke surely much to be commended: and some of them were engrauë very curiously, with their mouldes and pellets of golde.
He sente also his seruants by twoo and twoo, and fiue and fiue, ech company with one Spaniarde, to the Lords of other prouinces, fourescore, and a hundred leagues frö _Mexico_, to gather in golde for the accustomed tributes, and newe seruice to the Emperour. Euery Lorde and Seignior payde the quantitie appointed & taxed by _Mutezuma_, in golde, plate, iewels, stones and pearles.
The messengers returned, although they had taried somewhat long on their iourney, of whom _Cortes_ receyued all that they brought, and caused it to be molten, out of the whiche was had in fine golde .1600000. Castlins, of the value of seuen shillings and sixe pence the péece, and rather more, and also fiue hundred markes of plate, after sixe Ducates the marke.
This treasure was deuided among the Souldiers, but not all: euery man was payde accordyng to his office. The horsemen had twise as muche as the footemen. Also _Cortes_ was payde out of the stocke the money promised him in _Vera Crux_.
There came to the kings parte .32000. Castlins and a hundred markes of plate, the whiche was wrought there in platters, saucers, cuppes, ewers and other péeces, according to the _Indian_ fashion, to be sent to the Emperour. Besides this, the present that _Cortes_ layde aside, and takë out of the stocke to send to y^e Emperour, was worth .100000. Ducates, in pearles, precious stones, golde, and feathers, feathers and siluer, and many other iewels, as the gallant tronkes, whiche beside their value were straunge to behold, wrought with the brauery aforesayde. This present appoynted, was not sent, for that and al the rest was afterwarde loste at the troubles in _Mexico_, as hereafter shall more playnly appeare.
Hovv Mutezuma required Cortez _to departe from Mexico_.
_Cortes_ seyng himselfe riche and mightie, he occupied hymselfe in thrée things, the one was to sende vnto _Santo Domingo_ and other Ilands, newes of his procéedings and prosperitie, and also money to prouide menne, horses and armour, for his owne company were to fewe for so greate a countrey. The other was, to take fully and wholly the state of _Mutezuma_, hauing him prisoner, and also at his commaundement _Tlaxcallan_, _Coatelicamath_, and _Tuchintlec_, knowyng also that the _Indians_ of _Panuco_, _Tecoantepec_, and _Mechuacan_, were mortall enimies to the _Mexicans_, who woulde ayde and assist him hauing néede of their helpe, his thirde pretence was, to procure all the _Indians_ to be Christened, the which purpose he tooke first in hand, as a thing most nedefull. On the other side, _Mutezuma_ repented himselfe, hauyng newes that _Pamfilo de Naruaiz_ was arriued, who came as enimy to _Cortes_, yea and after all this he was at length driuen out of _Mexico_. These notable things shalbe rehersed in their order. But now _Mutezuma_ came, and desired _Cortes_ to departe out of his countrey, aduising hym that otherwise bothe he and his menne were in perill of killyng, saying also, that thrée especiall causes moued him to this requeste: the one was, the dayly sute of the subiectes, who enportuned him to come out of captiuitie, and to murder the Spanyardes, saying, that it was a great shame for them to suffer theyr Prince to bée in pryson in the power of so fewe straungers, whom they might vse as a footebal: hauing dishonored thë and robbed them of their goodes, gatheryng and heaping vp their gold for themselues, & for their king, who as séemed by their doings, was but a poore fellowe, and if hée would not accept their offer and sute, that then of theyr owne auctoritie they would take the thyng in hande, for so much as he refusing to be theyr king they woulde also refuse to be his vassals, giuyng warnyng and aduice that he should looke for no better rewarde at the Spaniardes handes, than _Qualpopoca_ and _Cacama_ his Neuewe had receiued, although they shoulde flatter him neuer so muche.
[Sidenote: A suttle Foxe.]
An other cause was that the Diuell had appeared vnto him, and willed him to kill those Christians, or dryue them out of the lande, threatnyng him that if he did not so, that then he woulde goe from him and neuer talke any more with him, for (quoth he) with their gospels, baptisme and deuotion, they doe muche displease me. _Mutezuma_ answered him, that there was no reason to kill thë being his friendes and honest men, but he would entreate them to departe, (vnto this) the Diuell answered that hée should do so, and therein he would receyue great pleasure, for eyther he woulde goe his way and leaue him, or else that Christian fellowes should departe, for they sow here (quoth he) a Christian fayth y^e which is much against our Religiö, and can not dwell both togither. Another cause was, that _Mutezuma_ was not well pleased with the imprysonment of _Cacama_, whö once he loued excedyng wel: so in fine, secretely hee repented him of all that was past in the Spanyardes fauour, and chiefly by the persuasion of the Diuell, who sayde that he coulde not doe vnto him a more acceptable seruice, and of greater pleasure to the Goddes, than to expell the Spaniardes and abolishe the name of Christians, and in so doyng, the seate of Kings should not finish in the linage of _Culhua_, but rather be enlarged, & his childrë should raigne after him, wishing him not to beléeue in prophesies, sithence the eight yeare was past, and was nowe in the eyghtenth yeare of his raigne. For these causes, or possible for other whiche we knowe not off, _Mutezuma_ prepared an army of a hundred thousand men so secretely, that _Cortes_ knew not thereof, to the effecte, that if the Spanyardes woulde not departe, being once more required, that then he meant not to leaue one of them aliue. With this determination, he came forthe one day into the yard or courte, and had long conference and consultation with his Gentlemen aboute this matter. This done, he sente for _Cortes_, who liked not this newes, saying to him selfe, I pray God this message be to good purpose, and taking twelue of his men whych were readyest at hand, went to know wherefore hée had sente for him. _Mutezuma_ arose from the place where hée sate, and tooke _Cortez_ by the hande, commaunding a stoole to be brought for him, and so sate them downe both togither, and beganne his talke as followeth. Sir, I beséeche you to departe from this Citie and Countrey, for my Gods are sore offended with me, bycause I doe, and haue permitted you héere so long: demaunde of me what you please, and it shall be giuen you, bycause I loue you well: and thinke you not, that I giue you this warning in iest, but rather in good earnest, therefore it is conuenient, that you depart. It séemed strange vnto _Cortez_ this talke. Also he saw by the countenance of _Mutezuma_, that some thing was a working, and before the interpreter of _Mutezuma_ had made an end of his talke, _Cortes_ willed one of his më to goe forthwith, and to aduise all his fellowes, saying, y^t the waight of their liues was in questiö. Then our më called to remembrance what was tolde them in _Tlaxcallon_, considering that it was néedeful of courage and help from God to bring them out of that daunger. Whë _Mutezuma_ had ended his tale, I haue (quoth _Cortes_) vnderstood your meaning, and doe thanke you for the same: also I would know when it is your pleasure that we should depart, and it shal be done. Euen when it please you (quoth _Mutezuma_) take the time that you thinke méete, and againste that time will I prepare a hundred waighte of gold for you, and fiftie pound waight to each of your më.
_Cortes_ sayde, you knowe, that when I came into thys Countrey, I commaunded all my Shippes to be sonke, so that nowe I haue néede of time conueniente to builde vessels to carrie vs into oure Countrey: wherefore my request is, that you commaund some of your Carpëters to be called, to cutte downe timber for the purpose, for I haue men that can make the vessels. And this done, wée will departe, so that you giue vs the golde whiche you haue promised, and certifie you the same to youre Gods and vassals.
_Mutezuma_ receyued great pleasure at this aunswere, and sayd, your request shall be fulfilled: and incontinente he sent for many Carpenters. Likewise _Cortes_ prepared certayne of his Marriners for Shipwrightes. All the which workemen went vnto great woddes of Pinetrées, and there cut downe the timber necessarye for the purpose. _Mutezuma_ being a simple man, gaue credite to all _Cortez_ his talke: _Cortes_ likewise aduertised his men of his procéedings, and sayd vnto them, _Mutezuma_ would haue vs departe out of his Countrey, bycause his vassals and the Diuell hathe entised him therevnto: wherefore it is néedefull that we build shipping, and therefore I praye you goe with these _Indians_, and procure to cut downe the best timber fit for oure purpose, and in the meane season God will prouide for vs, whose affayres we haue nowe in hand, of remedie and succour in suche sort that we lose not this frutefull countrey. It is also necessary, that whë you come vnto the wodde, that you make all the delay possible, giuing a shew that you are busie occupyed, and with great desire to make an ende, that those _Indians_ may suspect nothing of oure pretence. Departe in Gods name, and aduise me alwayes what doth passe in your affaires.
The feare that our men stoode in to _be sacrifised_.
Eight dayes after their departure toward the woddes, arriued fiftéene saile of ships at the coast of _Chalchicoeca_. The _Indians_ of that coast aduised _Mutezuma_ therof, who was not a little afraide with the newes, & called _Cortes_ vnto him, who feared asmuch some vprore there, and when they shewed _Cortez_ y^t _Mutezuma_ was come forth into the yarde, he suspected that if _Mutezuma_ pleased, they shoulde be all destroyed. Wherefore he said vnto his men, maisters and friends, _Mutezuma_ hath sent me, considering what passed this other day, I hold it for no good token. I nowe goe to knowe his wyll: wherefore, whatsoeuer happen, be you alwayes vigilant and ready, commending your selues to God. Remember also whome ye are, and who are these Infidels, abhorred of God, and friends vnto the Diuel, without weapon, and experience in warre: if we chance to fight, the handes of each of vs shal shew by déede with sword, the vallor and courage of our heartes: yea, and although we all die, yet shall we remaine with victory, for that we haue fulfilled the thing we tooke in hand, and the seruice which we owe vnto God as faithfull Christiäs, with our duetie as true subiects to our prince. They all answered, saying, we wil do all our possibilitie while life lasteth, withoute feare of perill or daunger, for we lesse estéeme deathe than honor. With this aunswere _Cortes_ wente to _Mutezuma_, who sayde vnto him, _Senior_ Captayne, you shall vnderstande that now you haue Shippes wherein you may departe, therefore now at your pleasure make you ready.
_Cortez_ answered, not knowing of that shipping, saying, Mightie Sir, when my Shippes are finished I will depart, nay (quoth _Mutezuma_) I meane not those Shyppes, for there are ariued eleuen other Shippes at the coast néere vnto _Zempoallan_, and shortlye I shall be certifyed, whether the people that are come in them, are come a shore, and then shall we know what people, and how many they are in number. Blessed is Iesu Christe (quoth _Cortez_) vnto whome I giue most hartie thankes for his great mercies shewed vnto me, and to the Gentlemen of my company. One of _Cortes_ his men went to shewe the glad tidings to their fellowes, who then receyued double strength, praysing God, and embraced one another wyth great pleasure and ioy. And _Cortes_ with _Mutezuma_ béeing in communication togither, came another poast, who broughte newes of fourescore Horsemen that were landed, with eyght hundred footemen, and twelue péeces of Ordinance, and shewed painted in a cloth the whole relation both of men, horses, shippes, and ordinance.
[Sidenote: At the time of neede prouideth God.]
_Mutezuma_ hearing the newes that this poast hadde broughte, arose from his seate, and tooke _Cortes_ in hys armes, saying, now do I more loue you, than I haue done héeretofore, and will this day dyne with you. _Cortes_ gaue him thankes for the one and the other, and in this sorte wente hande in hand to _Cortes_ his Chamber, who willed his Spanyards not to make any extraordinary ioy, or alteration, but that they shoulde kéepe all togither with vigilant watche, and to giue hartie thankes vnto God for the comfortable newes. _Mutezuma_ and _Cortes_ dyned togither with greate content and pleasure, the one thynking to abide and to enioy the kings state and Countrey, the other thinking that then they woulde auoyd the land. But notwithstanding all these ymaginations, a certaine _Indian_ Captaine importuned _Mutezuma_ secretely to kill all _Cortes_ his menne, being but few in number, and then should he be the readier to dispatch the others that were newly come, and not to permitte them to ioyne one with another: yea and againe, when the newe come menne shoulde knowe of the deathe of their countreymen, they would not presume to abide in the lande.
[Sidenote: A drunken reckoning.]
With this counsell _Mutezuma_ called many his friends and chiefe estates to counsell, propounding the case and iudgement of the Captaine, whych béeyng among them throughly hearde, there were many of sundrye opinions, but the conclusion was, to permitte the other Spanyards to come, saying, the more enimies, the more gaine, and if we kill but those whiche are héere, then the others wyll returne to their shippes, and so shall we not make the solemne sacrifice of them to the Gods, according to our desire. _Mutezuma_ was occupyed in this counsell with fiue hundred noblemen and Gentlemen dayly, and accordyng to determination, they commaunded to cherish and serue _Cortes_ and his company more than ordinary, saying their ioy was at an ende.
Hovv Iames Velasques sent Pamfilo _de Naruaiz against Cortes_.