an
Oratour vnto him in their name) to this poore House and Citie, amongst these
Weedes and Mudde, where thy poore Fathers, Grandfathers, and Kinsfolkes endure
what it pleaseth the Lord of things created. Remember Lord, thou commest to be our
defence, and to be the resemblance of our Vitzliputzli, not to rest thy selfe, but to endure
a new charge: with many words of that effect, expressed in the Mexican Histories,
reserued by tradition; the children to that end learning them by heart, and these be∣ing
as presidents to them which learned the Art Oratorie. After this, they were
sworne, and he crowned. The Crowne was like that of the Dukes of Venice. His
name Acamapixtli signifieth a handfull of Reedes, and therefore they carrie in
their Armories a hand, holding many Arrowes of Reedes.
The Mexicans at this time were tributaries to the Tapanccans, whose chiefe Ci∣tie
was Azcapuzalco: who iudging, according to the nature of Enuie and Suspiti∣on,
that they were so much weaker, how much the stronger they saw their neigh∣bours,
thought to oppresse them by a strange policie, in imposing an vncouth, and
(in shew) impossible tribute: which was, that they should bring the Tapunecan
King a Garden, planted and growing in the water.
In this their distresse, Vitzliputzli taught them to doe it, by casting earth vpon
Reedes and Grasse layed in the Lake, and planting in this mouing Garden Maiz,
Figges, Gourds, and other things, which at the time appointed they carried growing
and ripe: a thing often since proued in that Lake, emulous no lesse of that glorie,
to be accounted one of the Wonders in that New World, then those pensill Gardens,
towred vp in the Ayre at Babylon, both here and there the reason of man, according
to his naturall priuiledge, subiecting to his vse the most rebellious Elements of Ayre
and Water.
Acamapixtli, the Mexican King, after he had reigned fortie yeares, died, leauing
it to their choise to chuse his successour. They chose his sonne Vitzilovitli, which
signifieth a rich Feather: They annointed him with an Ointment, which they call
Diuine, being the same where with they annoint their Idoll.
Of their Coronation thus
Lopez de Gomara sayth, That this was done by the High
Priest, attyred in his Pontificalibus, attended with many others in Surplices, the
Oyntment was as blacke as Inke. They blessed him, and sprinkled him foure times
with holy Water, made at the time of the consecration of their God. Then they put
vpon his head a Cloth, painted with the bones and skulls of dead men, clothed him
with a blacke garment, and vpon that a blew, both painted with figures of Skulls
and Bones. Then did they hang on him Laces, and bottles of Pouders, whereby he
was deliuered from diseases and Witchcrafts. Then did he offer Incense to Vitzli∣putzli,
and the High Priest tooke his Oath, for the maintenance of their Religion; to
maintaine Iustice, and the Lawes; to cause the Sunne to giue his light, and the
Clouds to raine, and the Earth to be fruitfull, &c. Lastly, followed the acclamati∣ons
of the people, crying, GOD saue the King, with daunces, &c.
He being crowned, and hauing receiued homage of his subiects, obtained the
King of Azcapuzalco his daughter to wife, by whom he had a sonne called Chimalpo∣poca,
and procured a relaxation of tribute from his father in law. He was deuout in
his superstitions: hauing raigned thirteene yeares, hee died. His sonne then but ten
yeares old, was chosen in his roome, but was soone after slaine by the inhabitants of
Azcapuzalco. The Mexicans enraged with this iniurie, assembled themselues, and an
Orator, among many other words tells them, That the Sunne is eclipsed and darke∣ned
for a time, but will returne suddenly in the choise of another King. They agreed vp∣on
Izcoalt, which signifieth a Snake of Rasors, the source of Acamapixtls their first
King. The common people were earnest with this new King for peace with the
Tapanecans, for the obtaining whereof they would carrie their God in his Litter for
an intercessor. This was hindered by Tlacaellec the Kings Nephew, a resolute and
valiant young man, who also, with perill of his life, vndertooke an Embassage to
Azcapuzalco, and there defied the King, annointing him with the ointment of the