Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

Other Mexican Antiquities, Letters, Numbers, Yeeres, Dayes, Weekes, &c.

[ 10]

THere hath not beene found Letters at any time in the West India, onely in new Spaine were vsed certaine figures which serued for letters, with the which they kept in memorie and preserued their Antiquities. The figures that the Mexicans vsed for letters are great, by reason whereof they occupie great Volumes: they engraue them in stone or timber, and paint them vpon walls, and also vpon a paper made of cotton wooll, and leaues of the tree Metl. Their bookes are great and folded vp like vnto our broad cloathes, and written vpon both sides. There are some bookes rolled vp like a piece of flannell. They pronounce not v, g, r, s, y, therefore they vse much p, c, l, x. This is the Mexican speech, and Nahual, which is the best, playnest, and the most eloquent, in all new Spaine. There are some in Mexico that doe vnderstand each other by whistling, which is ordinarily vsed among Louers, and Theeues, a speech truly to wonder at, and none of our men could come to the knowledge thereof.

[ 20]

Their reckoning by numbers was in this sort.

Ce,

One,

Ome,

Two,

Ei,

Three,

Naui,

Foure,

Macuil,

Fiue,

Chicoace,

Six,

Chicome,

Seuen,

Chicuei,

Eight

Chiconaui,

Nine,

Matlac,

Ten,

Matlactlioce,

Eleuen,

Matlactliome,

Twelue,

Matlactlomei,

Thirteene,

Matlactlinaui,

Fourteene,

Matlactlinacui,

Fifteene,

Matlactlichicoace,

Sixteene,

Matlactlichicome,

Seuenteene,

Matlactlichicuei,

Eighteene,

Matlactlichiconaui,

Nineteene,

Cempoalli,

Twentie.

[ 30] Euery number is simple vntill you come to sixe, and then they count, sixe and one, sixe and two, sixe and three. Ten is a number by himselfe, then you must count ten and one, ten and two, ten and three, ten and foure, ten and fiue. Then you count, ten, fiue, and one; ten, fiue, and two; ten, fiue, and three. Twentie goeth by himselfe, and all the greater numbers.

The Mexican yeere is three hundreth and sixtie dayes, for they haue in their yeere eighteene moneths, and euery moneth contayneth twentie dayes. They haue other fiue odde dayes, which goeth by themselues, in the which they vsed to celebrate great feasts of cruell and bloudy sacrifice, with much deuotion. And reckoning after this sort they could not choose but erre, for they could not make equall the punctuall course of the Sunne. Yea the Christian yeere is not perfect, although wee haue learned Astronomers. But yet these simple Indians went neere the marke.

[ 40] The names of the moneths. Tlacaxipeualiztli, Tozcutzli, Huei Tozeuztli, Toxcalt, Ecalcoa∣liztli, Tocuilhuicintli, Hueitecuilhuitl, Miccailhuicintli, Veymiccailhuitl, Vchpaniztli, Pachtli, Huei Pachtli, Quecholli, Panquecaliztli, Hatemuztli, Tititlh, Izcalli, Coa Vitleuac.

The names of Dayes, were Cipactli, A Spade; Hecatl, Aire or Winde; Calli, A House; Cuez Pali, A Lizzart; Coualt, A Snake; Mizquintli, Death; Macatl, A wilde Hart; Toohtli, A Cony; Atl, Water; Izcuyntli, A Dogge; Ocumatli, An Ape; Malinalli, A Broome; Acatlh, A Caue; Ocelotl, A Tigre; Coautli, An Eagle; Cozcaquahutl, A Buzzard; Olin, A Temple; Tepatlh, A Knife; Quiauitl, Raine; Xuchitl, A Rose.

Although these twentie names serue for the whole yeere, and are but the dayes of euery moneth, yet therefore euery moneth beginneth not with Cipactli, which is the first name, but as they follow in order, and the fiue odde dayes is the cause thereof. And also because their weeke is of thirteene dayes, which [ 50] changeth the names, as by example, Cecipactli can goe no further then vnto Matlactlomeiacatl, which is thirteene, and then beginneth another weeke: and we doe not say Matlactlinaui Ocelotl, which is the fourteenth day, but wee say Ceocelotl, which is one, and then reckon the other sixe names vnto twentie. And when all the twentie dayes are ended, begin againe to reckon from the first name of the twentie, but not from one, but from eight. And because yee may better vnderstand the matter, here is the example.

Cecipactli, Omehecatl, Ei Calli, Naui Cuezpali, Macuilcouatl, Chicoacen Mizquinth, Chi∣come Macatl, Chicu••i Tochtli, Chiconauiatl, Matlaciz Cuintli, Mailactlioce Ocumatli, Mat∣lactliome Malinalli, Matlactlomei Acatlh. The next weeke following doth begin his dayes from one. And that one is the fourteenth name of the moneth and of the dayes, and saith: Ceotelotl, Omecoaut∣li, [ 60] E••cozcaquahutli, Naui Olui, Macuil Tecpatl, Chicoacen Quiauitl, Chicome Xuchitl, Chicoei Cipactli. In this second weeke, Cipactli came to fall on the eight day, being in the first weeke the first day. Cemacatl, Ometochtli, Eiatl, Naui Izcuintli, Macuil Ocumatli. And so proceede on to the third weeke, in the which this name Cipactli entreth not, but Macatl, which was the seuenth day in the

first weeke, and had no place in the second, and is the first in the third. The reckoning is no darker then ours, which we haue in a, b, c, d, e, f, g. For they also change with time, and run in such sort, that a, which was the first letter of this moneth, commeth to be the fift day of the next moneth, and the third mo∣neth he counteth to be the third day, and so orderly doth the other sixe letters.

These Mexicans had another order to reckon their yeeres, which exceeded not aboue foure in number, as one,* 1.1 two, three, foure, wherewith they account a hundred, fiue hundred, a thousand, and as many moe as they list. Those foure figures or names, are, Tochtli, Acatlh, Tecpatlh, Calli, and doe signifie a Cony, a Caue, a Knife, and a House, saying: Ce Totchtli, One yeere; Ome Acatlth, Two yeeres; Ei Tecpatlh, Three yeeres; Naui Calli, Foure yeeres; Macuil Tochtli, Fiue yeeres; Chioacen A∣catlh, Sixe yeeres; Cicome Tecpatlh, Seuen yeeres; Chicuei Calh, Eight yeeres; Chiconaui Tocht∣li, Nine yeeres; Matlactli Acatlh, Ten yeeres; Matlactlioce Tecpatlh, Eleuen yeeres; Mat∣lactliome [ 10] Calli, Twelue yeeres; Matlactliomei Tochtli, Thirteene yeeres. So that the reckoning passeth not aboue thirteene, which is one weeke of the yeere, and endeth where he began.

The second weeke. Ce Acatlh, one yeere; Ome Tlepatlh, two yeeres; Ei Calli, three yeeres; Naui Tochtli, foure yeeres; Macuil Acatlh, fiue yeeres; Chioacen Tecpatlh, sixe yeeres; Chico∣me Calli, seuen yeeres; Chicuei Tochtli, eight yeeres; Chiconaui Acatlh, nine yeeres; Matlact∣li Tecpatlh, ten yeeres; Matlactlioce Calli, eleuen yeeres; Matlactliome Tochtli, twelue yeeres; Matlactliomei Acatlh, thirteene yeeres. The third weeke of yeeres. Ce Tecpatlh, one yeere; Ome Calli, two yeeres; Ei Tochtli, three yeeres; Naui Acatlh, foure yeeres; Macuil Tecpatlh, fiue yeeres; Chioacan Calli, sixe yeeres; Chicome Tochtli, seuen yeeres; Chicuei Acatlh, eight yeeres; Chiconaui Tecpatlh, nine yeeres; Matlactli Calli, ten yeeres; Matlactliome Tochtli, eleuen yeeres; [ 20] Matlactliome Acatlh, twelue yeeres; Matlactliomei Tecpatlh, thirteene yeeres.

The fourth weeke. Ce Calli, one yeere, Ome Tochtli, two yeares; Ei Acatlh, three yeares; Na∣ui Tecpatlh, foure yeares; Macuil Calli, fiue yeares; Chioacen Tochtli, six yeares; Chicome Acatch, seuen yeares; Chieuei Tecpatlh, eight yeares; Chiconaui Calli, nine yeares; Matlactli Tochtli, ten yeares; Matlactlioce Acatlh, eleuen yeares; Matlactliome Tecpatlh, twelue yeares; Matlactlio∣mei Calli, thirteene yeares. Each of these weekes, which our men call Indition, doth containe thirteene yeares, so that all the foure weekes make two and fiftie yeares, which is a perfect number in their recko∣ning, and is called the yeare of grace, for from fiftie two yeares, to fiftie two yeares, they vsed to make so∣lemne feasts, with strange, Ceremonies, as hereafter shall be declared. And when fiftie two yeares are [ 30] ended, then they begin againe, by the same order before declared, vntill they come to as many moe, be∣ginning at Ce Tochtli, and so forward. But alwayes they begin at the Conie figure. So that in the forme of reckoning they keepe and haue in memory, things of eight hundred and fiftie yeares: and by this Chronicle they know in what yeare euery thing hapned, and how long euery King reigned: how many chil∣dren they had, and all things else that importeth to the estate of the gouernment of the Land.

The Indians of Culhua did beleeue that the Gods had made the World, but they knew not how, yet they beleeued that since the creation of the world foure Sunnes were past,* 1.2 and that the fift and last is the Sunne that now giueth light to the World. They held opinion that the first Sunne perished by water, and at the same time all liuing creatures perished likewise. The second Sunne (say they) fell from the hea∣uens, with whose fall all liuing creatures were slaine, and then (said they) were many Giants in that Coun∣trey, and certaine monstrous Bones, which our men found in opening of graues, by proportion whereof, [ 40] some should seeme to be men of twenty spans high. The third Sunne was consumed by fire, which burned day and night, so that then all liuing creatures were burned. The fourth Sunne finished by tempest of Ayre or Winde, which blow downe Houses, Trees, yea and the Mountaines and Rockes were blowen a sunder, but the linage of Mankinde perished not, sauing that they were conuerted into Apes. And touching the fift Sunne, which now raigneth, they know not how it shall consume. But they say, that when the fourth Sunne perished, all the world fell into darkenesse, and so remained for the space of fiue and twenty yeares continually, and at the fifteenth yeare of that fearefull darkenesse, the Gods did forme one man and woman, who brought forth children, and at the end of the other ten yeares, appeared the Sunne which was newly borne vpon the figure of the Conie day, and therefore they begin their account [ 50] of yeares at that day, and reckoning from the yeare of our Lord 1552. their age or Sunne is 858. so that it appearreth that they haue vsed many yeares their writing in figures: and they had not onely this vse from Cetochli, which is the beginning of their yeare, moneth, and day, of their fifth Sunne, but also they had the same order and vse in the other foure Sunnes which were past: but they let many things slip out of me∣mory, saying, that with the new Sunne, all other things should be likewise new. They held also opinion, that three dayes after this last Sun appeared, all the gods did dye, and that in processe of time, the gods which now they haue, and worship, were borne.

Although one brother was heire to another among the Mexicans, and after their decease, did inherit the Sonne of the eldest Brother,* 1.3 yet they tooke no possession of the state or name of King, vntill they were an∣nointed and crowned openly.

As soone as any King of Mexico deceased, and his Funerals ended, then were called to Parliament [ 60] the Lord of Tezcuco and the Lord of Tlacopan, who were the chiefest estates, and then in order all other Noblemen, who owed any seruice to the Mexican Empire. And being come together; if any doubt of the in∣heritance

of the Crowne happened, then the matter was decided with all haste: then the new King being knowne, he was stripped starke naked, except a cloath to couer his priuie parts, and in this sort was carri∣ed among them, to the great Temple of Vitzilopuchtli with great silence, and without any ioy or plea∣sure: Two Gentlemen of the Citie, whose office it was, led him vp the staires of the Temple by the armes, and before him went the Princes of Tezcuco and Tlacopan, who that day did weare their roabes of Coronation, whereupon was painted their armes and title. Verie few of the Laitie went vp into the Chap∣pels, but onely those that were appointed to attire the new King, and to serue in other Ceremonies, for all the residue stood vpon the steps and below, to behold the Coronation. These Magistrates being aboue in the Chappell, came with great humility and reuerence, kneeling downe vpon their knees before the Idoll of Vitzilopuchtli, and touched the earth with one finger, and then kissed the same. Then came the high [ 10] Priest cloathed in his pontificall vestments, with many others in his company, who did weare Surplices: and without speaking any word, they painted or coloured the Kings person, with Inke made for the pur∣pose, as blacke as any coale. After this Ceremonie done, they blessed the annointed King,* 1.4 and sprinkled him foure times with a certaine holy water, that was made at the time of consecration of the God, made of dowe or paste, with a sprinkle made of bowes of Cane leaues, Cedar, and Willow leaues. Then they put vpon his head, cloth painted with the bones and souls of dead men, and next they cloathed him with a blacke garment, & vpon that another blew, and both were painted with the figures of dead mens sculs and bones. Then they put about his necke certaine laces, whereat did hang the armes of the Crowne. And behinde his back they did hang certain little bottels full of powders, by vertue wherof he was deliuered from pestilence and diseases, according to their opinion: yea, and thereby Witches, nor Witchcrafts could not hurt him, [ 20] nor yet euill men deceiue him. In fine, with those relicks he was sure from all perill and danger. Vpon his left arme they bound a little bagge of Incense, and then brought vnto him a chaffing-dish of imbers made of the barke of an Oke tree. Then the King arose, and with his owne hand threw of the same Incense, into the chaffing-dish, and with great reuerence brought the same to the god Vitzilopuchtli, and after he had smoaked him therewith, he sat him downe, then came the high Priest and tooke his oath to main∣taine the religion of the gods, to keepe also all the lawes and customes of his predecessours, to maintaine iustice, and not to aggrauate any of his vassals or subiects, and that he should be valiant in the warres, that he should cause the Sunne to giue his light, the clouds to yeelde raine, the riuers to runne, and the earth to bring forth all kinde of graine, fruites, and other needefull hearbs and trees. These and many o∣ther [ 30] impossible things the new King did sweare to performe: and then he gaue thankes to the high Priest, and commended himselfe to the gods, and to the lookers on, and they who brought him vp in the same or∣der, carrieth him downe againe. Then all the people cried, the Gods preserue the new King, and that he may raigne many yeares in health with all his people. But then some began to dance, other to play on their instruments, shewing outwardly their inward ioyes of heart. And before the King came to the foote of the steps, all the Noblemen came to yeelde their obedience, and in token of louing and faithfull subiects, they presented vnto him Feathers, strings of Snaile-shels, Collers, and other Iewels of Gold and Siluer, also Mantels painted with death, and bare him company vnto a great hall within the compasse of the Temple, and there left him, The King sitteth downe vnder his cloath of estate, called Tlacatecco, and in foure dayes departeth not out of the circuit of the Temple, the which hee spends in [ 40] prayers, sacrifice, and penance; he eates then but once a day, and euery day he bathes himselfe, and a∣gaine in the night in a great pond of water, and then lets himselfe bloud in his eares, and senseth there∣with the god of water, called Tlaloc: he likewise senseth the other Idols, vnto whom he offereth Bread, Flowers, Papers, and little Canes, died in the bloud of his owne tongue, nose, hands, and other parts of his body. After the foure dayes expired, then come all the Noblemen to beare him company to his Pal∣lace, with great triumph and pleasure of all the Citie, but after his consecration few or none dare looke him in the face.

And now with the declaration of the Acts and Ceremonies that the Mexican Kings are crow∣ned, I shall not neede to rehearse of other Kings, for generally they all doe vse the same order, sauing that other Princes goe not vp to the top of the Temple, but abide at the foote of the steps to be crowned, and [ 50] after their Coronation they come to Mexico for their confirmation, and then at their returne to their Countrey, they made many drunken feasts and banquets.

The Mexicans did beleeue that the Soule was immortall,* 1.5 and that they receiued either ioy or paine according to their deserts and liuing in this world, vnto which opinion all their religion did attaine, and chiefly appeare at their burials. They held for an assured faith, that there were nine places appointed for soules, and the chiefest place of glory to be neere vnto the Sunne,* 1.6 where the soules of those which were good men slaine in the warres, and those which were sacrificed were placed, and that all other sorts of euill persons their soules abode on the earth, and were deuided after this sort, children that were dead borne went to one place, those which died of age or other disease went to another, those which died of sud∣den death to another, those which died of wounds or contagious diseases went to another place, those which [ 60] were drowned went to another, those which were put to death for offence by order of Iustice, as for rob∣bery and adultery to another: Those which slew their Fathers, Mothers, Wiues or Children, to another place by themselues: also those who slew their Masters or any religious person went to another place. The common sort of people were buried, but Lords and rich men had their bodies burned, and their ashes buried. In their shrowdes they had a great difference, for many dead bodies were buried better apparel∣led

then when they were on liue. Women were shrowded after another sort. And hee that suffered death for adultery, was shrowded like vnto the God of lecherie, called Tlazoulteutl; he that was drowned like vnto the god of water, named Tlacoc; and he that died with drunkennesse was shrowded like vnto the god of wine, called Ometochtli. But the Souldier had an honorable shrowde like vnto the attire of Vitzilo∣puchtli, and the like order in all other sorts of deaths.

When any King of Mexico happened to fall sicke, they vsed forthwith to put a visor vpon the face of Tezcatlipaca,* 1.7 or Vitzilopuchtli, or some other Idoll, which Visor was not taken away, vntill they saw whether the King did amend, or else dye: But if he chanced to dye, then word was sent throughout all his Dominions to bewaile his death, and also other postes were sent is call the Noblemen that were his nigh∣est kinsmen, and to warne them within foure daies to come vnto his buriall. [ 10]

The dead body was laid vpon a faire Mat, and was watched foure nights, with great lamentation and mourning: then the body was washed, and a locke of haire cut from the crowne of his head, which was preserued as a great relicke, saying, that therein remained the remembrance of his soule. This done, a fine Emerald was put in his mouth, and his body shrowded in seuenteene rich Mantels, of colours, both rich and costly wrought. Vpon the vpper Mantle was set the deuise or armes of Vitzilopuchtli or Tez∣calipuca, or some other Idoll, in whom the King had great confidence in his life time, and in his Temple should the body be buried. Vpon his face they put a visor, painted with foule and Deuillish iestures, be∣set with many Iewels, Precious stones, and Pearles, Then they killed his slaue, whose office was to light the Lampes, and make fire vnto the gods of his Pallace. These things done, they carried the dead body vn∣to the Temple: some followed him with dolefull tune, others sung the death of the King by note, for so was the custome. [ 20]

The Noblemen and Gentlemen of his houshold carried Targets, Arrowes, Mases, and Ensignes to throw into the fire where the body should be buried in the Temple. The high Priest and all the Clergie receiued him at the Temple gate, with a sorrowfull song, and after he had said certaine words, the body was throne into a great fire made for the purpose, with all the Iewels that he had about him, and all the other things which was brought to honour the buriall: also a Dogge newly strangled with an Arrow, which was to guide him his way. In the meane while that the King and Dogge were burning the Priests sacrificed two hundred persons, howbeit in his Ceremonie there was no ordinary taxe, for sometimes they sacrificed many moe: they were opened with a Rasor of flint in the breasts, and their hearts taken out and throwne into the fire where the Kings body was. These miserable persons being sacrificed, and [ 30] their bodies throwne into a hole; they beleeued assuredly that those should serue for his slaues in another world: some of them were Dwarffes, monstrous and deformed persons, with some women. They placed about the dead body of the King before his buriall, Roses, Flowers, and sundrie dishes of meate and drinke, and no creature durst touch the same, but onely the Priests, for it seemed to be an offering.

The next day following, all the ashes were gathered together, and the teeth with the Emerald that was in his mouth, the which things were put into a Chest, painted on the inside with horrible figures of de∣uils, and the locke of haire which was cut from his crowne, and another locke of haire which was pre∣serued from the time of his birth. Then the Chest was lockt, and an Image of wood made and cloathed like vnto the Kings person, which was set on the top of the Chest. The obsequies endured foure dayes, in the which the wiues and daughters of the King offered great offerings at the place where his body was [ 40] buried, and before the Chest and his Image.

On the fourth day after the buriall, fifteene slaues were sacrificed for his soule; and on the twentieth day, other fiue persons were also sacrificed; likewise on the sixtie three and fourescore, which was like vnto the yeares minde.

The Kingdome of Michuacan is almost as great as the Empire of Mexico, and when any King of that Countrey happened to be visited with sicknesse,* 1.8 and brought to such extremitie, that hope of life were past, according to the opinion of Phisitions, then would he name and appoint which of his Sonnes should inherite the estate; and being knowne, the new King or heire, incontinent sent for all the Gouernours, Captaines, and valiant Souldiors, who had any office or charge to come vnto the buri∣all [ 50] of his Father, and he that came not, from thenceforth was held for a Traitour, and so punished. When the death of the old King was certaine, then came all degrees of Estates and brought presents to the new King, for the approbation of his Kingdome, but if the King were not throughly dead, but at the point of death, then the gates were shut in, and none permitted to enter; and when his life was de∣parted, then began a generall cry and mourning, and they were permitted to come where their dead King lay, and to touch him with their hands: this being done, the carkasse was washed with sweete wa∣ters, and then a fine shirt put vpon him, and a paire of shooes made of a Deere skinne put on his feete, and about his anckles were tied certaine Bels of Gold, about his wristes of his hands were put Manyllias of Turkies, and other Bracelets of Gold, likewise about his necke they hung other col∣lers of precious stones, and gold, and rings in his eares, with a great Turkise in his neather lippe. [ 60] Then his body was laid vpon a large beere, whereon was placed a good bed vnder him: on his one side lay a Bowe with a quiuer of Arrowes, and on his other side lay an Image made of fine Mantels of his owne stature or highnesse▪ with a great tuffe of fine feathers, shooes vpon his feete, with Bracelets, and a coller of gold. While his worke was a doing, others were busied in washing the men and wo∣men

which should be slaine for to accompany him into Hell: these wretched folke that should be slaine were banqueted and filled with drinke, because they should receiue their death with lesse paine. The new King did appoint those who should dye for to serue the King his Father, but yet many of them had ra∣ther haue beene without his seruice, notwithstanding some simple soules esteemed that odious death for a thing of immortall glory. First, seuen Gentlewomen of noble parentage were appointed to dye, the one to haue the office of keeper of his Iewels which he was wont to weare, another for the office of Cup-bearer, another to giue him water with a Bason and Ewer, another to giue him alwayes the Vrinall, another to be his Cooke, and another to serue for Laundresse. They slew also many woman-slaues, and free maidens, for to attend vpon the Gentlewomen, and moreouer, one of euery occupation within the [ 10] Citie. When all these that were appointed to dye were washed, and their bellies full with meate and drinke, then they painted their faces yellow, and put garlands of sweete flowers vpon each of their heads. Then they went in order of procession before the beere whereon the dead King was carried, some went playing on Instruments made of Snailes shels, others played vpon bones and shels of Sea-tur∣tils, others went whistling, and the most part weeping: the Sonnes of the dead King and other No∣blemen carried vpon their shoulders the Beere where the Course lay, and proceeded with an easie pace toward the Temple of the god Curicaueri: his kinsmen went round about the Beere, singing a sor∣rowfull song. The officers and houshold seruants of the Court with other Magistrates and Rulers of iu∣stice bare the Standards and diuers other armes.

About midnight they departed in the order aforesaid, out of the Kings pallace, with great light of [ 20] fire brands, and with a heauie noise of Trumpets and Drummes. The Citizens which dwelt where the Corse passed, attended to make cleane the streete. And when they were come to the Temple, they went foure times round about a great fire made of the wood of Pine tree, which was prepared to burne the dead body: then the Beere was laid vpon the fire, and in the meane while that the body was burning, they mawled with a club those which had the Garlands, and afterward buried them by foure and foure, as they were apparelled behinde the Temple.

The next day in the morning, the ashes, bones and Iewels, was gathered and laid vpon a rich Man∣tle, the which was carried to the Temple gate, where the Priests attended to blesse those deuellish relickes, whereof they made a dough or paste, and thereof an Image which was apparelled like a man, with a visor on his face, and all other sorts of Iewels that the dea•• King was wont to weare, so that it seemed a gal∣lant [ 30] I doll. At the foote of the Temple staires they opened a graue ready made, which was square, large, and two fadom deepe, it was also hanged with new Mats round about, and a farre bed therein, in the which a religious man placed the Idol made of a••hes, with his eyes toward the East part, and hung round about the wals, Targets of Gold and Siluer, with Bowe and Arrowes, and many gallant tuffes of Feathers, with earthen vessels, as Pots, Dishes, and Platters, so that the graue was filled vp with houshold stuffe, Chests couered with Leather, Apparell, Iewels, Meate Drinke, and Armor. This done, the graue was shut vp, and made sure with be••mes, boords, and flored with earth on the top.

All those Gentlemen which had serued or touched any thing in the buriall, washed themselues, and went to dinner in the Court or yard of the Kings house without any table, and hauing dined, they wiped their hands vpon certaine locks of Cotten woll, hanging downe their heads, and not speaking any word, ex∣cept [ 40] it were to aske for drinke. This Ceremonie endured fiue dayes, and in all that time no fire was per∣mitted to be kindled in the Citie, except in the Kings house and Temples, nor yet any Corne was ground, or Market kept, nor none durst goe out of their houses, shewing all the sorrow that might be possible for the death of their King.

In Mexico were twelue Iudges, who were all Noblemen, graue,* 1.9 and well learned in the Mexican Lawes. These men liued onely by the rents that properly appertaine to the maintenance of Iustice, and in any cause iudged by them, it was lawfull for the parties to appeale vnto other twelue Iudges, who were of the Princes bloud, and alwayes abode in the Court, and were maintained at the Kings owne cost and charges. The inferiour Iudges came ordinarily once euery moneth to consult with the higher. And in euery fourescore dayes came the Iudges of euery Prouince within the Mexican Empire, to consult with the Iudges of Mexico, but all doubtfull causes were reserued to the King, onely to passe by his [ 50] order and determination. The Painters serued for notaries,* 1.10 to paint all the cases which were to be resol∣ued, but no suite passed aboue fourescore dayes without finall end and determination. There were in that Citie twelue Sergeants, whose office was to arrest, and to call parties before the Iudges. Their gar∣ments were painted Mantels, whereby they were knowne a farre off. The Prisons were vnder ground,* 1.11 moist and darke, the cause whereof, was to put the people in feare to offend. If any witnesse were called to take an oath, the order was, that he should touch the ground with one of his fingers,* 1.12 and then to touch his tongue with the same, which signified that he had sworne and promised to speake the troth with his tongue, taking witnesse thereof, of the earth which did maintaine him. But some doe interprete the oath, that if the pa••tie sware not true, that then he might come to such extremitie, as to eate earth. Some∣time [ 60] they name and call vpon the God of the crime, whose cause the matter touched.

The Iudge that taketh bribes or gifts, is forthwith put out of his office, which was accounted a most vile a••d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reproach.* 1.13 The Indians did affirme that Necau••lpincint•• did hang a Iudge in Tez∣••••••o, for 〈…〉〈…〉 sentence, be himselfe knowing the contrary.* 1.14 The Murtherer is executed

without exception. The woman with childe that wilfully casteth her creature, suffereth death for the same.* 1.15 The Theefe for the first offence, was made a slaue, and hanged for the second. The Traitor to the King and Common-weale, was put to death with extreame torments. The Woman taken in Mans apparell died for the same, and likewise the Man taken in Womans attire. Euery one that challengeth another to fight,* 1.16 except in the warres, was condemned to dye. In Tezcuco the sinne of Sodomie was punished with death, and that Law was instituted by Necaualpincinth, and Neca∣ualcoio, who were Iudges,* 1.17 which abhorred that filthy sinne, and therefore they deserued great praise, for in other Prouinces that abhominable sinne was not punished, although they haue in those places common Stewes, as in Panuco. [ 10]

Notes

• * 1.1

  The accoun∣ting of yeares.
• * 1.2

  The Indians beleeued that fiue ages were past, which they called Sunnes.
• * 1.3

  The Corona∣tion of the Kings of Mex∣ico.
• * 1.4

  The ointment.
• * 1.5

  The opinion of the Mexi∣cans concer∣ning the Soule
• * 1.6

  Nine places for Soules.
• * 1.7

  The buriall of Kings in Mex∣ico.
• * 1.8

  The order of buriall of the Kings of Mi∣chuacan.
• * 1.9

  Iudges.
• * 1.10

  Painters.
• * 1.11

  Sergeants▪ Prisons.
• * 1.12

  Witnesses and oathes.
• * 1.13

  Bribery.
• * 1.14

  Murther.
• * 1.15

  Theft.
• * 1.16

  Disguise of se••e.
• * 1.17

  Duels capitall.