Part 28

The nexte day _Cortes_ entred the cittie agayne, but he fought not, hoping then that they woulde submitte themselues, but yet the Citizens had no such thought. He came néere vnto a certayne bulwarke on horsebacke, and spake vnto certaine Gentlemen with whome he was acquaynted, saying that now within a shorte space he could make an ende of their finall destruction, but yet of meare compassion he wished it not, for the loue whiche he bare vnto them, so that they would in time rëder themselues: wherfore (quoth he) entreate yée the king to doe the same, and in so doyng ye shalbe well vsed, and haue victuals sufficient. The Gëtlemen hearing these wordes, fell on weping, and answered, that now they knew well their errour, and felte their losse and destruction, notwithstäding they were bounde to obey their king and Goddes. But yet (quoth they) abide a while, and we will certifie _Quahutimoc_ what you haue sayde, and in shorte space they went and returned againe, saying that the next day without fayle their Lord woulde come and talke with him in the markette place. With this answere _Cortes_ returned to his campe, and thought at their méeting to conclude an honorable peace. So against the next day he caused a Canapie and chayre of estate to be sette in the markette place, accordyng to the _Mexican_ vse, and also a dinner to be prepared. The day followyng came _Cortes_ at the houre appoynted, with many of his men armed, but the king came not: neuerthelesse he sente fiue noble men to treate of the matter, excusing the kyng, saying he was not well at ease. _Cortes_ welcomed those Gentlemen, and was gladde of their cöming, hoping thereby to conclude and make some good ende. And when they had dined and well refresshed their hungry bodies, _Cortes_ gaue them victuals, and desired them to returne agayne to the King, and to declare vnto him that without his presence the conclusion coulde not be certayne. They wente and returned againe within twoo houres, and brought vnto _Cortes_ certaine mantels made of cotton woll, very good & well wrought, with answere that the king would not come in any wise, both for shame and feare. And the next day these messengers came agayn, saying that the king would come to the place appointed. But yet he came not, although _Cortes_ attended his commyng more than foure houres: who seing the mockerie, he forthwith sente _Sandoual_ with his Vergantines one way, and he himself went an other, combatting the houses & fortes that yet remayned, where he founde small resistaunce, so that he might doe what he pleased. There was that day slayne and taken prysoners aboue .40000. persons, & then he retired to his campe. The lamentable crie and mourning of the women and children woulde haue made a stony hart relent, the stench also of the dead bodies was wöderfull noysome. That night _Cortes_ purposed to make an end the next day of the warres, and _Quahutimoc_ pretended to flie, and for that purpose had enbarked hymselfe in a _Canoa_ of twëtie ores. When the day appeared _Cortes_, with his men, and foure péeces of ordinance, came to the corner where those that yet remayned were shut vp, as cattell in a pounde. He gaue order to _Sandoual_ and _Aluarado_ what they shold do, which was, to be ready with their Vergätines, and to watche the comyng out of the _Canoas_ whiche were hidden betwixte certayne houses, and especially to haue regard vnto the kings person, and not to hurte him, but to take him aliue. He commaunded the residue of hys men to force the _Mexican_ boates to goe out, and he himselfe wente vp into a tower, inquiryng for the King, and there founde _Xihuacoa_, gouernour and Captayne generall of the Cittie, who woulde in no wise yéelde himselfe. Then came out of the Cittie a greate multitude of olde folkes, men, women and childrë to take boate. The throng was so great with hast to enter the _Canoas_, that many by that means were drowned in the lake. _Cortes_ required his më not to kil those miserable creatures: But yet he could not stay the _Indians_ his friends, who slewe and sacrificed aboue fiftene thousand. After this, there was a great rumour among the cömon people, that the king would flie, making a piteous mone and saying that they sorowfull creatures knew not whither to goe: But yet procuryng to goe into the _Conoas_, whiche were so full that there was no roume for thë, by reason thereof many were drowned.

The men of warre stoode in the house toppes and zoties beholding their perdition. All the nobilitie of _Mexico_ were enbarked with the kyng. Then _Cortes_ gaue signe with the shotte of a handgunne, that his captaines should be in a readinesse, so that in shorte space they wanne fully and wholy the great Cittie of _Mexico_. The Vergantines likewise brake in among the fléete of boates, without any resistaunce, and euery one sought where he might beste succour himselfe, the Royall Standarte was beaten downe. _Garcia Holguin_, who was captayne of a Vergantine, had espied a great _Canoa_ of .xx. ores déepe laden with men. And one of his prysoners sayde vnto him, that the king wente in that greate _Canoa_. _Holguin_ beyng gladde of the newes, gaue chase to that _Canoa_ and ouertooke him. In his foreship he had thrée crossebowe men. And when _Quahutimoc_ who stoode on the puppe of the _Canoa_ ready to fighte, sawe those bowes ready bente, and many drawen swordes, he yéelded himselfe, declaryng that he was the king. _Garcia Holguin_ being a gladde man of his prysoner, tooke and carried him vnto _Cortes_ who receiued him reuerently. When _Quahutimoc_ came neare vnto him, he layde his hande vpon _Cortes_ his dagger, saying, I haue done all my possibility to defende me and mine, accordyng to my duetie, hoping not to haue come to this estate and place where now I stande: And considering that you may doe with me what you please, I beséeche you to kill me, and that is my only request. _Cortes_ comforted him with faire words, giuyng him hope of life and seniory, and tooke him vp into a zotie, requiring him to commaund his subiectes to yéelde and render themselues: he obeyed his request. At that time there was about thrée score and tenne thousande persons, who in seing their Prince, threwe downe their weapons and submitted themselues.

The taking of Mexico.

In the order before declared, wanne _Hernando Cortes_ the famous cittie of _Mexico_, on tuesday being the .xiij. of August, _An._ 1521. in remembraunce wherof, and of the great victory, euery yéere on that day they make a sumptuous feast & solemne procession, wherin is carried the standart royall, with the whiche the cittie was won. The siege endured thrée moneths, & had therein .200000. _Indians_ .900. Spaniardes .80. horses .17. péeces of ordinaunce, 13. Vergantines, & 6000. _Canoas_. In this siege were slayne fiftie Spaniardes & sixe horses, & no great number of the _Indians_ their friends. There was slaine on the cötrary side a hundred thousand, and some affirme many moe: but I speake not of them that died with hunger and pestilence.

At the defence of the citie were al the nobilitie, by reason wherof many were slayne. The multitude of people was great, who eate litle, dranke salte water, and slepte among the dead bodies, where was a horrible stenche: for these causes the disease of pestilence fell among them, and thereof died an infinite number. Wherevpon is to be considered, their stedfaste determination, for although they were afflicted with such hunger, that they were dryuen to eate boughes, ryndes of trées, and to drinke salte water, yet woulde they not yéelde themselues. But at the laste they would haue submitted them, and then their kyng _Quahutimoc_ woulde not, bycause at the begynnyng they refused his will and counsell, and also with their generall deaths, should appeare no cowardise, for they kept the dead bodies in theyr houses to kéepe that secrete from theyr enimies. Here also is to bée noted, that although the _Mexicans_ eate mans fleshe, yet they eate none of their owne Cittie or friendes, as some doe thynke: for if they had, there woulde not so many haue died with hunger. The _Mexican_ women were highly commended, not onely bycause they aboade with their husbandes and Fathers, but also for the greate paynes they tooke with the sicke and wounded persons, yea and also they laboured in makyng slings, cuttyng stones fitte for the same, and throwyng stones from the soties, for therein they dyd as muche hurte as their men. The Cittie was yéelded to the spoyle, and the Spanyardes tooke the Golde, Plate and Feathers, the _Indian_ friends had all the rest of cloth and other stuffe.

_Cortes_ commaunded greate bonfiers to be made in token of victory, and also to mortifie the horrible stenche of the dead bodies, whome he lykewise commaunded to be buried, and some of the prysoners menne and women he caused to be marked in the face, for the Kings slaues, and pardoned all the residue. He commaunded the Vergantines to bée brought ashore, and appoynted one _Villa fuerte_, with .80. men to guarde thë, fearyng least the _Mexicans_ shold set fire or otherwise destroy them. In this businesse he occupied himself foure dayes, & then remoued his campe to _Culhuacan_, where he rendred hartie thanks to all the Gentlemen his friendes, promysing to gratifie their good and faythfull seruice, desiryng them to departe home to theyr houses, cösidering y^e warre was at an end, wherevpon they departed almost all in generall, both rich and iocond with the spoyle of _Mexico_, and also to remayne in the fauour and grace of _Cortes_.

Maruellous signes and tokens of the _destruction of Mexico_.

Not long before _Hernando Cortes_ came vnto the newe _Spayne_, did many nightes after the midnighte appeare in the aire, and in the same port and place where _Cortes_ entred into that land, great lightning of fire, whiche amounted vpward, and suddaynely vaded away. The _Mexicans_ at that time saw flames of fire toward the orient, where now _Vera Crux_ standeth, with a great and thicke smoke, that séemed to touche the heauen and earthe: thys sight was fearfull vnto them.

They also saw the figures of armed men fighte in the aire one with another, a new and strange sight for them, and a thing that filled their heads with ymaginations: for when there was a prophecie spoken of among them, how that white men with beardes should come and rule their kingdome in the time of _Mutezuma_. The Lordes of _Tezcuco_ and _Tlacopan_ were much amazed, saying, that the sword whiche _Mutezuma_ hadde, was the armes of those folke, whose figures they had séene in the ayre, with their apparell and attire. _Mutezuma_ had muche adoe to pacifie them, fayning that the weapon and apparell was of hys forefathers, and bycause they should sée the troth thereof, he gaue them the sworde, and willed them to breake it if they coulde, and they prouing to breake the same and could not, they maruelled thereat, and also were resolued of their opinions.

It shoulde séeme, that a little before these things happened, some of _Mutezuma_ his subiectes founde a chest of apparell and a sworde in it on the sea coast, which came floting out of some shippe that had wracked there about, and broughte it to their prince. Others affirme, that the cause of alteration among the noble men, was, when they saw the sword and apparell that _Cortes_ had sent vnto _Mutezuma_ by _Teudilli_, séeing it a thing so like the attire of the figures whiche they had séene in the ayre, but howsoeuer it was, they beléeued with these new tokens, that their Kingdome shoulde haue an ende, when they saw those straungers come into their Countrey.

The same yeare that _Cortes_ came into _Mexico_, appeared a vision vnto a certaine _Malli_, which is to say, a slaue taken in the warres to be sacrificed, who at the time of his deathe and Sacrifice, bewayled his sorrowfull ende; calling vppon the God of Heauen, who at that instante sawe in spirite a vision, and heard a voyce, bidding hym not to feare that death, for the God whome be had called vpon, would haue mercy vpon hym, willing hym also to say vnto the pristes and ministers of the Idols, that their wicked sacrifice and bloudsheding was néere at an ende, and that there was a people at hand, that should take away all that wicked and abhominable religion.

This _Malli_ was sacrificed in the middest of the market place of _Tlatelulco_, where at this daye is the place of execution.

They remembred, and noted well the wordes of the _Malli_, and the vision whiche they called a breath from heauen.

The earth also brake open, out of the whiche issued a maruellous greate streame of water, with many greate fishes, which they iudged and held for a strange pronostication.

The _Mexicans_ did reporte, that when on a time _Mutezuma_ came triumphantly with victory of _Xochnuxco_, said vnto the Lorde of _Culhuacan_: Now (quoth he) _Mexico_ is strong and inuincible, for I haue in subiection _Xochnuxco_, and other prouinces, so that now I am without feare of any enemie. The Lord of _Culhuacan_ aunswered, saying, trust not good King too muche, for one force forceth another, with the whiche aunswere, _Mutezuma_ was not a little offended. But when _Cortes_ hadde taken them both prisoners, then he called to remembrance the former talke, and held that saying for a prophesie.

The building vp agayne of _Mexico_.

_Cortes_ pretended to recdifie againe the Citie of _Mexico_, not onely for the scituation and maiestie, but also for the name & great fame thereof, and also to builde vp that which he hadde beaten downe, by reason whereof he trauelled to make this Citie greater, better, and to be more replenished with people. He named and appoynted Iudges, Aldermen, Attourneys, Towneclearke, Notaries, Skauengers, and Seriants, with all other officers, necessarie for the common weale of a Citie. He deuided the Citie among the Conquerors, hauing first taken out places for Churches, market places, townehouse, and other necessarie plottes to builde houses, profitable for the common weale. He also separated the dwellings of the _Spanyards_ from the _Indiäs_, so that the water passeth and maketh deuision betwixt them. Hée procured many _Indians_ to come to the building of the Citie, for auoiding charges, although therein he had somewhat to do, by reason that many kinsmen of _Quahutimoc_ were not as yet come vnder obedience.

[Sidenote: Seauen thousand Ceder beames.]

He made Lorde of _Tezcuco_, _Don Carolus Iztlixuchitl_, by the consent of the Citie, in place of _Don Hernando_ his brother, who was deceassed, and commaunded many of hys vassals to labour in the workes, bycause they were Carpenters, masons, and builders of houses. He promised also to them that were naturals of the Citie of _Mexico_, plottes to build vpon, inheritance, fréedome, and other liberties, and the like vnto all those that woulde come and inhabite there, whiche was a meane to allure many thither. He sette also at libertie _Xihuaco_ the generall Captayne, and made him chiefe ouer the _Indians_ in the Citie, vnto whome he gaue a whole stréete. He gaue likewyse another stréete to _Don Pedro Mutezuma_, who was sonne to _Mutezuma_ the King. All this was done, to winne the fauoure of the people. He made other Gentlemen Seniors of little Ilands and stréetes to builde vpon, and to inhabite, and in this order the whole scituation was reparted, and the worke began with great ioy and diligence: but when the fame was blowen abroade, that _Mexico_ should be built againe, it was a wonder to sée the people that resorted thither, hearing of libertie & fréedome, the number was so greate, that in a whole league compasse was nothing but people both men and women. They laboured sore, and eate little, by reason whereof, many sickned, and pestilence followed, whereof dyed an infinite number. Their paines was great, for they bare on theyr backes, and drew after them stones, earth, timber, lyme, bricke, and all other things necessary in this sort, and by little and little, _Mexico_ was built againe with a hundred thousande houses, more stronger and better than the olde building was. The Spanyardes also built their houses after the Spanish fashion. _Cortes_ built his house vpon the plotte where _Mutezuma_ his house stoode, whiche renteth now yéerely foure thousand duckates a yeare. _Pamfilo de_ _Naruaez_ accused him for the same, saying, that he hadde spoyled the woddes and mountaynes, and spente seauen thousand beames of Ceder trées in the worke of his own house. The number séemeth more héere than there, for where all the Mountaynes are replenished with Ceder trées, it is a small matter. There are Gardines in _Tezcuco_, that haue a thousand Ceder trées for walles and circuite, yea and there are Ceder trées of a hundred & twëty foote long, and twelue foote in compasse from ende to end. They built faire dockes couered ouer with arches for y^e Vergantines, whereas (for a perpetuall memorie) all the thirtéene Vergantines do remayne vntil this day. They dammed vp the stréetes of water, where now faire houses stand, so that _Mexico_ is not as it was wont to be, yea and since the yeare of 1524. the lake decreaseth, and sometime casteth out a vapour of stench, but otherwise it is a wholesome and temperate dwelling, by reason of the Mountaynes that standeth round about it, and well prouided through the fertilitie of the Countrey, and commoditie of the lake, so that now is _Mexico_ one of the greatest Cities in the world, and the most noble in all _India_, as well in armes as policie. There are at the least two thousande Citizens, that haue each of them his horse in his stable, with riche furniture for them. There is also great contractation, and all sortes of occupations. Also a money house, where money is dayly coyned: a fayre schole, whiche the Vizeroy _Don Antonio de Mendosa_ caused to be made. There is a greate difference betwixte an inhabitant of _Mexico_, and a Conqueror, for a Conqueror is a name of honor, and hathe landes and rentes, and the inhabitante or onely dweller payeth rente for hys house. When this Citie was a building, & not throughlye furnished, _Cortes_ came from _Culhuacan_ to dwell there. The fame of _Cortes_, and maiestie of _Mexico_, was blowen abroade into farre prouinces, by meanes whereof, it is now so replenished, as I haue before declared, yea & hath so many _Spanyards_, who haue conquered aboue 400. leagues of land, being all gouerned by the princely seate of _Mexico_.

Hovv the Emperour sent to take accompt _of Cortes of his gouernement in the newe Spayne_.

[Sidenote: The revvard of a knaue.]

In these dayes _Cortes_ was the man of the greatest name of all the Spanish nation, although many had defamed him, and especially _Pamfilo de Naruaez_, who was in the Court of Spaine accusing him. And where, of long time the Counsell of _India_ had receyued no letters from him, they suspected, yea and beléeued, whatsoeuer euil was spoken of him. Wherevppon they prouided the Admirall _Don Diego Colon_, for Gouernour of _Mexico_, who at that time went to lawe wyth the king, pretending the said office and many others, with condition to carrie at his owne coast a thousand men to apprehend _Cortes_. They prouided also for Gouernour of _Panuco_, one _Nonio de Gusman_, and _Simon de Alcazaua_ portingall, for gouernour of _Honduras_. To kindle more thys mischiefe, and to set this businesse forward, one _Iohn de Ribera_, the Attourney of _Cortes_, was a fitte and an earnest instrument againste his maister, and the cause was, for falling out with _Martin Cortes_, father vnto _Hernando Cortes_, about foure thousand Duckates which _Cortes_ had sent by him to his father, which money the said _Ribera_ his Attourney kept to his owne vse, and therefore raised many slaunders against his maister, yea and credite was giuen to his tales, but on a night he had a morsell of bacon gyuen him vppon a skaffolde, wherewith he was choked in the chiefe time of his businesse. These newe officers, and their prouisions, were not so secretely obteyned, but the matter was as secretely talked in the Courte, whiche at that time was abiding in the Citie of _Toledo_, and the procedings séeme not iust vnto the friends of _Cortes_. The Commendador _Pedro de Pina_ opened the matter to the Licenciat _Nouez_, and vnto father _Melgareio_, wherevppon they reclaymed of the Counsels determination, beséeching them to stay for a season, to sée what newes should come from _Mexico_. Also the Duke of _Beiar_ tendred the cause of _Hernando Cortez_, for that _Cortez_ by promise of faith and troth, was assured in marriage to his brothers daughter, named the Lady _Iane de Zuniga_, who aplaked the Emperoure his anger, and the saide Duke became suretie to aunswere in all causes for him.

The matter standing in this estate, there arriued in _Spayne Diego de Zoto_, with a whole Coluerin made of siluer, and 70000. castlins in golde, the newes whereof was blowen ouer all _Spaine_. And to say the troth, this presente was y^e cause, that _Cortes_ was not put out of his office, but a Iudge of residence was sent thither to take an accompt of him. Now a wise and a learned man was sought for that purpose, yea suche a one as could rule the matter, for some souldiers are oftentimes vnmanerly: whervpö they thought the Licenciat, _Lewes pouce de Leon_ a fitte mä, who had bin Lieutenante to _Don Martin de Cordoua_, Earle of _Alcaudete_, & chiefe gouernour of the citie of _Tolledo_. This Licenciate with power sufficient, was sent vnto the new _Spaine_, who carried in his company as assistant, the batcheler _Marcus de Aguillar_, who hadde ruled in time past, in a worshipfull office of Iustice in the Ilande of _Santo Domingo_.

With prosperous weather they departed from Spayne, and in shorte tyme arriued at _Vera Crux_, _Cortez_ hauing newes of their arriuall by foote postes within two dayes. And vppon Midsomer day came letters to _Cortes_ from the Licenciate _Ponce_, with another letter from the Emperour, wherby he vnderstood y^e cause of their comming. He returned backe incontinët an aunswere, and desired to know which way he would come to _Mexico_, eyther by y^e way inhabited, or else the other way which is néerer. The Licenciate replyed, that he woulde for a while abide in _Vera Crux_, to refresh himselfe, béeyng seasicke, and a man y^t had not heeretofore at any time passed the seas, thinking that _Cortes_ meante to haue done iustice on certain offenders, yea & also to haue takë hym by the way: wherefore he suspected, that _Cortes_ had sent, bycause he woulde knowe whiche way he meant to come, wherevpon he secretely tooke post horse, with certaine Gentlemë, and other religious persons that came in hys company, & passed through the Townes, although it was the farther way, and made suche hast, that in fiue dayes he came to _Iztacpallapan_, refusing the entertaynement and prouision of meate and lodging that _Cortes_ had prepared by his Gentlemë, that wët both the wayes to méete him.