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.

CHAP. IX. Larger Relations of things most remarkeable obserued by the Spaniards at their first comming: Cholollas holies; Popocatepecs ashes. Mutezumas multiforme mag∣nificence and maiestie. Mexican Citie and Temple, with other antiquities gathered out of the Third part of the Historie of Francis Lopez * 1.1 de Gomara.

[ 10]

CHololla is a Citie as Tlaxcallan, and hath but one person who is Gouernour and generall Captaine, chosen by the consent of all the Citizens. It is a Citie of twenty thousand housholds within the wals, and in the suburbs as much more. It sheweth outwards very beautifull, and full of Towers, for there are as many Temples as dayes in the yeare, and euery Temple hath his Tower. Our men counted foure hundred Towers. The men and women are of good disposition, well fauoured, and very wittie. The women are Goldsmiths and also Caruers, the men are war∣riers, and light fellowes, and good Maisters for any purpose: they goe better apparelled then a∣ny other Indians yet seene. They weare for their vpper garment, cloakes like vnto Moriscos, but [ 20] after another sort. All the Countrey round about them is fruitfull and errable ground, well wa∣tered, and so full of people, that there is no waste ground, in respect whereof, there are some poore which begge from doore to doore. The Spaniards had not seene any beggers in that Coun∣trey before they came thither.

Chololla is a Citie of most deuotion and religion in all India, it is called the Sanctuary, or ho∣ly place among the Indians, and thither they trauelled from many places farre distant in Pilgri∣mage, and for this cause there were so many Temples. Their Cathedrall Temple was the best and highest of all the New Spaine, with a hundred and twenty steps vp vnto it, The greatest I∣doll of all their gods was called Quezalcouately, God of the Aire, who was (say they) the foun∣der of their Citie, being a Virgin of holy life, and great penance. He instituted fasting, and [ 30] drawing of bloud out of their eares and tongues, and left a precept, that they should sacrifice but onely Quailes, Doues, and other foule. He neuer ware but one garment of Cotten, which was white, narrow, and long, and vpon that a mantle beset with certaine red crosses. They haue cer∣taine greene Stones which were his, and those they keepe for relickes. One of them is like an Apes head. Here they abode twenty dayes, and in this meane while there came so many to buy and sell, that it was a wonder to see. And one of the things that was to be seene in those faires, was the earthen vessell, which was exceeding curious and fine.

The hill called Popocatepec.

[ 40] THere is a hill eight leagues from Chololla, called Popocatepec, which is to say, a hill of smoake, for many times it casteth out smoake and fire. Cortes sent thither ten Spaniards, with ma∣ny Indians, to carry their victuall, and to guide them in the way. The ascending vp was very troublesome, and full of craggie rocks, They approached so nigh the top, that they heard such a terrible noise which proceeded from thence, that they durst not goe vnto it, for the ground did tremble and shake, and great quantity of ashes which disturbed the way: but yet two of them who seemed to be most hardie, and desirous to see strange things, went vp to the top, be∣cause they would not returne with a sleeuelesse answer, and that they might not be accounted cowards, leauing their fellowes behinde them, proceeding forwards. The Indians said, what meane these men? for as yet neuer mortall man tooke such a iourney in hand.

These two valiant fellowes passed through the Desart of Ashes, and at length came vnder a [ 50] great smoake very thicke, and standing there a while, the darkenesse vanished partly away, and then appeared the vulcan and concauity, which was about halfe a league in compasse, out of the which the ayre came abounding, with a great noise, very shrill, and whistling, in such sort that the whole hill did tremble. It was to be compared vnto an Ouen where Glasse is made. The smoake and heate was so great, that they could not abide it, and of force were constrained to returne by the way that they had ascended: but they were not gone farre, when the vulcan be∣gan to lash out flames of fire, ashes, and imbers, yea and at the last, stones of burning fire: and if they had not chansed to finde a Rocke, where vnder they shadowed themselues, vndoubtedly they had there beene burned. When with good tokens they were returned where they left [ 60] their fellowes, the other Indians kissed their garments as an honour due vnto gods. They presen∣ted vnto them such things as they had, and wondred much at their fact.

The simple Indians thought, that that place was an infernall place,* 1.2 where all such as gouer∣ned not well, or vsed tyrannie in their offices, were punished when they died, and also beleeued, that after their purgation, they passed into glory. This Vulcan is like vnto the Vulcan of Sicilia,

it is high and round, and neuer wanteth snow about it, and is seene afarre off in the night, it la∣sheth out flames of fire. There is neere about this Hill many Cities, and Huexoxinco is one of the nighest. In tenne yeeres space this strange hill of working did expell no vapour or smoke: but in the yeere 1540. it began againe to burne, and with the horrible noyse thereof, the Neighbours that dwelt foure leagues from thence were terrified, for the especiall strange smoakes that then were seene, the like to their Predecessors had not beene seene. The ashes that proceeded from thence came to Huexozinco, Quelaxcopan, Tepiacae, Quauhquecholla, Chololla, and Tlaxcallan, which standeth ten leagues from thence, yea some say, it extended fifteene leagues distant, and burned their hearbes in their Gardens, their Fieldes of Corne, Trees, and cloathes that lay a drying.

He left the way that the Mexicans had perswaded him to come, for it was both euill and [ 10] dangerous, as the Spaniard which went to the Vulcan had seene, he went another plainer way, and neerer. He ascended vp a Hill couered with snow, which was sixe miles of height, where if the 30000. Souldiers had waited for them, they might easily haue taken them, by reason of the great cold: and from the top of that Hill, they discouered the Land of Mexico, and the great Lake, with his Villages round about, which is an exceeding goodly sight. But when Cortes saw that beautifull thing, his joy was without comparison.

There came twelue Lords from Mexico, among whom was Cacama, Nephew to Mutezuma, who was Lord of Tezcuco, a young man of fiue and twentie yeeres of age, whom the Indians did much honour: he was carried vpon their shoulders, and when they set him downe, one went be∣fore with a Broome to sweepe the dust out of his way. In this order hee came to Iztacpalapan. [ 20] Euery two houres came messengers betwixt Cortes and Mutezuma: then came Cuetleuac Lord of that Towne, with the Lord Culhuacan his Kinsman to receiue him, who presented vnto him slaues, garments, and feathers, and to the value of foure thousand Duckets in Gold. Cuetualac receiued all the Spaniards into his owne house, which hath very faire Lodgings all of stone, and Carpenters worke, exceeding well wrought, with high and low roomes, with all kind of ser∣uice: The chambers were hanged with cloth of Cotton very rich, after their manner. There were faire Gardens replenished with many sweet flowres, and sweet trees garnished with Net∣worke, made of Canes, and couered with Roses and other fine hearbes▪ with sundry ponds of sweet water. There was another Garden very beautifull of all sorts of fruits and hearbes, with a great pond walled with lime and stone, and was foure hundred paces square, made with faire [ 30] steps to descend vnto the bottome in many places, and was full of diuers kinds of fishes, and ma∣ny kind of water Birds, which sometimes couered the pond, as Guls, and Mewes, and such like. Iztacpallapan is a Towne of 10000. housholds, and is planted in a Lake of Salt-water, the one halfe of the Towne built on the water, and the other on the Land.

From Iztacpallapan to Mexico is two leagues all vpon a faire Calsey, vpon the which eight Horsemen may passe on ranke,* 1.3 and so directly straight as though it had beene made by line. And whosoeuer hath good eye-sight might discerne the gates of Mexico from thence. Coyoacan is a Towne of sixe thousand dwellers, Vizilopuchtli is of fiue thousand. These Townes are planted in the Lake, and are adorned with many Temples, which haue many faire Towres, that doe [ 40] beautifie exceedingly the Lake. There is great contractation of Salt, which is made there, and from thence is carried abroad to Faires and Markets, which thing was a great rent to Mutezu∣ma. Vpon this Calsey are many drawne Bridges built vpon faire arches, that the water passeth thorow.

Cortes passed this Calsey with 400. Spaniards, and 6000. Indians his friends: their passage was with much adoe, by reason of the great multitude of Indians which came to see him, and com∣ming neere the Citie, there adjoyned another Calsey with a broader passage, where standeth a strong Bulwarke of stone, of the heigth of two fathome with two Towres on each side, and two gates very strong. Here at this Fort came three thousand Courtiers and Citizens to receiue him, and euery of them touched the ground with his right hand and kissed it, and passed forwards in [ 50] the order as they came. These salutations endured an houre and more. From the Bulwarke the Calsey lyeth directly, and before the entrance into the street there is another draw Bridge made of timber ten paces broad, vnder the which the water passeth too and fro. At this Bridge came Mutezuma to receiue Cortes vnder a Canopie of greene feathers and gold,* 1.4 with much Argentery hanging thereat, which Canopie foure Noble-men did carrie. And the two Princes Cuetlauac and Cacama his Nephewes, did leade him by each arme: all three were rich apparelled and all of one fashion, except Mutezuma, which had a paire of shooes of gold beset with precious Stones, and the soles were tyed to the vpper part with latchets, as is painted of the Antikes. His Gentlemen went by two and two, layng downe and taking vp Mantles and Couerle••s vpon the ground, because his feet should not touch the same: then followed him as in Procession, 200. [ 60] Noblemen bare-footed, with garments of a richer Liuery then the first three thousand. Mute∣zuma came in the middest of the street, and the others came behind him as nigh the wall as they might, their faces towards the ground, 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 sinne to touch him, but yet saluted each one the other.

Cortes put about Mutezuma his necke a coller of Margarites, Diamonds, and other stones all of glasse. Mutezuma receiued it thankfully, and went before with one of the Princes his Ne∣phewes, and commanded the other to leade Cortes by the hand, next after him in the midst of the street: and proceeding forward in this order, then came the Gentlemen in the richest Liue∣ry to welcome him, one by one, touching the ground with their hands, and after returned to their standing. And if the Citizens had come as they requested, all that day would not haue serued for salutations. The coller of glasse pleased well Mutezuma, and because hee would not [ 10] take without giuing a better thing▪ as a great Prince, hee commanded to be brought two collers of red Prawnes, which are there much esteemed,* 1.5 and at euery one of them hanged eight Shrimps of gold, of excellent workmanship, and of a finger length euery one, he put these collers with his owne hands about Cortes his necke, the which was esteemed a most great fauour, yea and the Indians maruelled at it. At this time they were come to the street end, which was almost a mile long, broad, streight, and very faire, and full of houses on each side, in whose doores, win∣dowes and tops, was such a multitude of Indians to behold the strangers, that I know not who wondred most, our men to see such a number of them, or else they to see our men, their Ordnance and Horses, a thing so strange vnto them. They were brought vnto a great Court or house of I∣dols, which was the Lodging Axaiaca, at the doore whereof, Mutezuma tooke Cortes by the [ 20] hand, and brought him into a faire hall, and placed him vpon a rich Carpet, saying vnto him, Sir, now are you in your owne house, eate and take your rest and pleasure, for I will shortly come and visit 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 house where the Spaniards were lodged was great and large,* 1.6 with many faire chambers sufficient for them all: it was neate, cleane matted, and hanged with Cloth of Cotton, and Feathers of many colours, pleasant to behold. When Mutezuma was departed from Cortes, hee beganne to set his house in order and placed the Ordnance at his doore, and hauing all his things in good sort, he went to a sumptuous Dinner that was prepared for him. Assoone as Mu∣tezuma had made an end of his Dinner, hearing that the Strangers were risen from the Table, [ 30] and reposed a while, then came hee to Cortes, saluting him, and sate downe by him. He gaue vnto him diuers Iewels of Gold Plate, Feathers, and many Garments of Cotton, both rich, well wouen, and wrought of strange colours, a thing comely, that did manifest his great∣nesse, and also confirme their imagination. This gift was deliuered honourably, and then be∣ganne his talke as followeth: Lords and Gentlemen, I doe much reioyce to haue in my house such valiant men as yee are, for to vse you with courtesie, and intreate you with honour, according to your desert and my estate. And where heretofore I desired that you should not come hither, the onely cause was, my people had a great feare to see you, for your gesture and grimme beards did terrifie them, yea, they reported that yee had such beasts as swallowed men, and that your com∣ming was from Heauen, bringing with you Lightning▪ Thunder, and Thunder-bolts, wherewith [ 40] you made the Earth to tremble and to shake, and that yee slue therewith whom yee pleased. But now I doe see and know that you are mortall men, and that yee are quiet and hurt no man: also I haue seene your Horses, which are but your Seruants, and your Gunnes like vnto shooting Trunkes. I doe now hold all for Fables and Lyes which haue beene reported of you, and I doe also accept you for my meere Kinsman. My Father told mee that hee had heard his forefathers say, of whom I doe dis∣cend, that they held opinion how they were not Naturals of this Land, but come hither by chance, in companie of a mightie Lord, who after a while that hee had abode here, they returned to their naturall soyle: After many yeeres expired, they cam•• againe for those whom they had left heere behind them,* 1.7 but they would not goe with them, because they had here inhabited, and had Wiues and Children, and great gouernment in the Land. Now these mightie Lords seeing that they were so stubborne, and would not returne with them, departed from them sore displeased, saying, that hee would send [ 50] his Children that should both rule and gouerne them, in Iustice, Peace, and ancient Religion. And for this consideration, wee haue alwayes suspected and beleeued, that such a people should come to rule and gouerne vs, and considering from whence you come, I doe thinke that you are they whom wee looked for, and the notice which the great Emperour Charles had for vs, who hath now sent you hither. Therefore Lord and Captaine, bee well assured, that wee will obey you, if there bee no feyned or deceitfull matter in your dealings, and will also diuide with you and yours all that we haue. And although this which I haue said were not onely for your vertue, fame, and deeds of valiant Gentle∣men, I would yet doe it for your worthinesse in the battailes of Tauasco, Teocazinco, and Chollolla, being so few, to ouercome so many.

[ 60] Now againe, if yee imagine that I am a God, and the walls and rooffes of my houses, and all my ves∣sell of seruice, to be of pure Gold, as the men of Zempoallan, Tlaxcallan, and Huexozinco, haue infor∣med you, it is not so, and I iudge you to bee so wise, that you giue no credit to such Fables. You shall also note, that through your comming hither, many of my subiects haue rebelled, and are become my

mortall enemies, but yet I purpose to breake their wings. Come feele you my bodie, I am of flesh and bone, a mortall man as other are, and no God, although as a King I doe esteeme my selfe, of grea∣ter dignitie and preheminence then others. My houses you doe also see, which are of timber and earth, and the principallest of Masons worke, therefore now you doe both know and see what odious lyers those Tale-bearers were. But troth it is, that Gold Plate, Feathers, Armour, Iewels, and other Riches. I haue in the Treasury of my Forefathers a long time preserued, as the vse of Kings is, all the which you and yours shall enioy at all times. And now it may please you to take your rest, for I know that you are weary of your iourney. Cortes with ioyfull countenance humbled himselfe, seeing some teares fall from Mutezuma his eyes, saying vnto him, vpon the trust I haue had in your clemencie, I insisted to come both to see, and talke with your Highnesse, and now I know that all are lyes which [ 10] hath beene told mee. The like your Highnesse hath heard reported of vs, assure your selfe, that the Emperour King of Spaine is your naturall Lord, whom yee haue expected, hee is the onely heire from whence your Linage doth proceed, and as touching the offer of your Highnesse treasure, I do most heartily thanke you.

After all this communication, Mutezuma demanded whether the bearded men which came with him; were either his vassals, or his slaues, because hee would entertayne each one accor∣ding to his estate.* 1.8 Cortes answered, that they were all his brethren, friends, and fellowes, ex∣cept some that were his seruants.

Then he departed, and went home to his Palace, and there informed himselfe particularly who were Gentlemen, and who were not, and according thereunto, sent euery one particular [ 20] gift or present. To the Gentlemen he sent his reward by his Comptroller, and to the Mariners and other Seruitors, by a Page of his houshold.

Mutezuma was a man of a small stature, and leane, his colour tawnie as all the Indians are.* 1.9 Hee had long haire on his head, sixe little haires vpon him, as though they had beene put in with a Bodkin. His thinne beard was blacke. Hee was a man of a faire condition, and a doer of Iustice, well spoken, graue and wise, beloued and feared among his subjects. Mu∣tezuma doth signifie Sadnesse.

* 1.10To the proper names of Kings and Lords, they doe adde this syllable Cin, which is for courte∣sie and dignitie, as we vse Lord. The Turke vseth Zultan. The Moore or Barbarian calleth his Lord Mulley,* 1.11 and so the Indians say Mutezumazin, His people had him in such reuerence, [ 30] that hee permitted none to sit in his sight, nor yet in his presence to weare shooes, nor looke him in the face, except very few Princes. Hee was glad of the conuersation of the Spaniards, and would not suffer them to stand on foote, for the great estimation hee had of them, and if hee liked any of the Spaniards garments, hee would exchange his apparell for theirs. He changed his owne apparell foure times euery day, and hee neuer clothed himselfe againe with the Garments which hee had once worne,* 1.12 but all such were kept in his Guard∣robe, for to giue in Presents to his Seruants and Ambassadours, and vnto valiant Soul∣diers which had taken any enemy Prisoner, and that was esteemed a great reward, and a title of priuiledge. The costly Mantles whereof had beene diuers sent to Cortes, were of the same Guardrobe.

* 1.13Mutezuma went alwayes very neate and fine in his attyre. Hee bathed him in his Hot-house [ 40] foure times euery day. Hee went seldome out of his Chamber, but when hee went to his meate. Hee eate alwayes alone, but solemnely, and with great abundance. His Table was a Pillow, or else a couple of coloured Skinnes. His Chaire was a foure-footed stoole made of one piece, and hollow in the middest, well wrought and painted. His Table-clothes, Napkins, and Towels, were made of Cotton-wooll, very white and new, for hee was neuer serued but once with that Naperie. Foure hundred Pages brought in his meate, all sonnes of great Lords, and placed it vpon a Table in his great Hall.* 1.14 The meate being brought in, then came Mutezuma to behold the Dishes, and appointed those Dishes that liked him best, and Chafing-dishes were prepared to keepe that meate warme, and seldome would he eate of any other Dish, except the [ 50] Lord Steward or Comptroller should highly commend any other Dish.

Before hee sate downe, came twentie of his Wiues of the fairest and best esteemed, or else those that serued weekly by turne,* 1.15 brought in the Bason and Ewre, with great hum∣blenesse. This done, hee sate him downe, and then came the Lord Steward, and drew a woodden Nette before him, because none should come nigh his Table. And this Noble man alone placed the Dishes, and also tooke them away, for the Pages who brought in the meate, came not neere the Table, nor yet spake any worde, nor no man else.

While the Lord Mutezuma was at his meate, except some Ieaster, they all serued him bare-footed.* 1.16 There assisted alwayes somewhat a farre off, sixe ancient and Noblemen, vnto [ 60] whom he vsed to giue of the Dish that best liked him, who receiued the same at his hand with great reuerence, and eate it incontinent, without looking in his face, which was the grea∣test humilitie that they could vse before him.* 1.17 Hee had musicke of Fiddle, Flute, and of a

Snaile-shell, and a Cauldron couered with a skinne, and such other strange Instruments. They had very euill voyces to sing. Alwayes at dinner time he had Dwarfes, crooke-backes, and other deformed counterfeits, all for maiestie and to laugh at, who had their meate in the Hall among the Iesters and Idiots,* 1.18 which were fed with part of the meate that came from Mutezuma his table, all the rest of the meate was giuen to three thousand of the guard, who attended ordi∣narily in the yard or Court, and therefore they say that there was brought for his Table three thousand dishes, and as many pots of wine, such as they vse, and that continually the Buttrey and Pantrey stood open, which was a wonder to see what was in them. The platters, dishes, and cups, were all of earth, whereof the King was serued but once, and so from meale to meale new. He had likewise his seruice of Gold and Plate very rich, but hee vsed not to bee serued with it [ 10] (they say) because hee would not bee serued twice therewith, the which hee thought a base thing.* 1.19

Some affirme, that young children were slaine and dressed in diuers kinde of dishes for Mute∣zuma his table, but it was not so, onely of mans flesh sacrificed he fed now and then.* 1.20 The table being taken vp, then came againe the Gentlewomen to bring water for his hands, with the like reuerence as they vsed at the first, and then went they to dinner with the other wiues, so that then the Gentlemen and Pages waited as their course fell.

When his table was taken vp, and his Seruitors gone to meate, Mutezuma sate still: then came in the suiters that had any affaires to deale with him, bare-footed, for all the persons did [ 20] vse that reuerence, except some Princes his Kinsmen, as the Lords of Tescuco, and Tlacopan, and a few others: and beeing cold weather,* 1.21 they vsed to weare olde ragged clothes vpon their rich garments. All suiters vsed to make three or foure courtesies, not looking toward his face, and speaking vnto him their heads dowwards, and in that order retyred backe againe. Mutezuma answered his suiters very grauely, with low voyce, and in few words, and not to all suiters, for others his Secretaries or Counsellers that stood by, answered for him, and hauing their answere, they returned backwards, not turning their tailes to the Prince. After these businesses done, he vsed some recreation, hearing Iesters or Songs, wherein he delighted much,* 1.22 or else to looke vpon the Players, who play with their feet, as we doe with our hands. These haue a cudgell like vn∣to a Pastlers rowler, which they tosse high and low as it were a ball in the Ayre, strange to be∣hold. [ 30] They vse other Playes to passe the time, in such an order,* 1.23 that it seemed maruellous to the lookers on. Cortes brought into Spaine some of these Players. Also they vse Matachines, in such sort they doe play, that there stand each vpon other shoulders, and hee that standeth highest, sheweth many feates. Sometime Mutezuma did behold the Players, who played at a game cal∣led Pacoliztli, which is much like our Tables, and they play with beanes, squared like Dice, which they call Patolli, and throw them out of both their hands vpon a matte, or else vpon the ground, where are made certain strikes, vpon which they set downe the chance that is throwne: and at this game they play all that they haue, and many times they value their owne bodies, and play that into captiuitie, and to remayne a slaue, I meane, such as are common Gamesters of small estate.

[ 40] Sometimes Mutezuma went to the Tennis Court. Their ball is celled Villamaliztli, and is made of the gumme which commeth from a tree called Vlli.* 1.24 This tree groweth in a hot Coun∣trey. The gumme being kneaded together, and so made round, is as blacke as pitch, and some∣what heauie, and very hard for the hand, but yet good and light to rebound, and better then our wind-bals. They play not at Chases, but at Bandy, or at Check, that is, if the ball touch the wall it looseth. They may strike the ball with any part of their body, but there is alwayes a penaltie if they onely strike not with the buttocke or side, which is the finest play: whereof they vse a skinne vpon each buttocke. They play so many to so many for a packe of Mantles, or according to the abilitie of the Players. Also they play for gold and feathers, and sometime for their owne bodies, as they vse at Patolli, which is there permitted and lawfull. The Tennis Court is called Tlachco, and is a Hall long and narrow, but wider vpwards, then downewards, [ 50] and higher on the sides then at the ends, which is an industry for their play. The house is alwayes white and smooth in the side walles they haue certaine stones like vnto Milstones, with a little hole in the middest that passeth through the stone, the hole is so small, that scarcely the ball may passe through, but he that chanceth to strike the ball into the hole, which seldometh happeneth, winneth the game, and by an ancient Law and custome among Tennis Players, he ought to haue the Cloakes of all those that stand and behold the play, on that side that the ball went in, and in some Tennis Courts, the halfe of the garments of them that stand looking on. The Winner is then bound to make certaine Sacrifice to the God of the Tennis play, and to the stone where the ball entred. The beholders of the play would say, that such a Winner should be a Thiefe and an Adulterer, or else that he should die quickly.

[ 60] They vsed in the Temple of the Tennis play, two Images of the God of the Ball,* 1.25 which stood vpon the two lower walles. The Sacrifice was celebrated at mid-night, with many Ceremonies and Witch-crafts, and Songs for that purpose. Then came a Priest from the Cathedrall Church, with other Religious persons to blesse the Sacrifice, saying certain deuillish Prayers, and throw∣ing

the ball foure times in the Tennis Court. In this order was the Tennis play consecrated, and after this consecration it was lawfull to play, or else not, for this diligence was first to bee done when any Tennis Court or play was newly built. The owner of the Tennis Court also would neuer suffer any to play, vntill he had first offered something to the Idoll, their Superstition was so great.

* 1.26Mutezuma had many houses as well in Mexico as without, for his recreation and pleasure, as also for his ordinary dwelling. To write of all it should bee tedious, but where his continuall abiding was,* 1.27 he named Tepac, that is to say, Palace. And that Palace had twentie doores or gates which had their out-comming into the common streets. It hath three Courts, and in the one standeth a faire Fountaine, many Hals, and a hundred Chambers of twentie three, and thirtie foot [ 10] long, an hundred Bathes and Hot-houses: and although the building was without nayles, yet very good workmanship. The walles were made of Masons worke, and wrought of Mar∣ble, Iaspe, and other blacke stone, with veines of red, like vnto Rubies and other Stones, which glistered very faire: the roofes were wrought of Timber, and curiously carued: the Timber was Cedar, Cypresse, and Pine-tree: the Chambers were painted and hung with Cloth of Cotton, and Cloth made of Conies haire and feathers. The beds were poore and of no value, for they were nothing but Mantles laid vpon Mats, or vpon Hay, or else Mats alone: few men lay with in those Houses.

* 1.28There were a thousand women, and some affirme that there were three thousand, accounting Gentlewomen, Seruants and Slaues: the most were Noblemens Daughters, Mutezuma tooke of [ 20] them for his selfe, those that liked him best, and the others he gaue in mariage to Gentlemen his Seruants. The saying was, that hee had at one time a hundred and fiftie women his wiues with childe, who through the perswasion of the Deuill, tooke Medicines to cast their creatures, be∣cause they knew that they should not inherit the State: these his wiues, had many old women for their Guard, for no man was permitted to looke vpon them.

* 1.29The shield of Armes that is set in his Palace, and likewise carried to the Warres, is an Eagle soaring vpon a Tigre his tallons, bent as taking prey. Some thinke it is a Gryffon and not an Eagle. The Griffons in time past, say they, did cause the Vale of Auacatlan to bee dispeopled, for they were great deuourers of men, and that their abiding was in the Mountaines of Teoacan: they approue that these Mountaines were called Cuitlachtepelt, of Cuitlachtli, which is a Gryffon, [ 30] bigger then a Lion: but the Spaniards did neuer see any of them. The Indians by their old Pi∣ctures doe paint those Gryffons to haue a kind of haire and no feathers, and also affirme, that with their tallons and teeth they breake mens bones. They haue the courage of a Lion, and the countenance of an Eagle: they paint him with foure feet, and teeth, with a kinde of downe, more like wooll then feathers, with his beake, tallons, and wings. There are also other Lords that giue the Gryffon in their Armes, flying with a heart in his tallons.

* 1.30Mutezuma had another house, with very good lodgings and faire galleries, built vpon Pillars of Iaspe which extendeth toward a goodly Garden, in the which there are ten ponds or moe, some of salt-water for Sea-fowle, and other some of fresh water for Riuer-fowle, and Lake-fowle, which ponds are deuised with sluces to emptie and to fill at their pleasure, for the clean∣nesse [ 40] of the feathers. There is such a number of Fowle that scarcely the ponds may hold them, and of such diuers kindes both in feathers and making, as sure it was an admiration for the Spa∣niards to behold, for the most of them they knew not, nor yet had at any time seene the like. And to euery kind of Fowle they gaue such bayte as they were wont to feede of in the Fields or Riuers. There did belong to that house three hundred persons of seruice some were to clense the ponds: other some did fish for baite: other some serued them with meate: other did loose them and trimme their feathers: others had care to looke to their Egges: others to set them abrood: others cured them when they were sicke: and the principallest Of∣fice was to plucke the Feathers: for of them was made rich Mantles, Tapissary, Tar∣gets, tuffes of Feathers, and many other things wrought with Gold and Siluer: a most per∣fit [ 50] worke.

* 1.31There is another House with large quarters and lodgings, which is called a House for Fowle, not because there are more then in the other, but because they bee bigger and to hawke with all, and are Fowle of rapine, wherefore they are esteemed as more nobler then all the others.

There are in this House many high Hals, in the which are kept men, women and children: in some of them are kept such as are borne white of colour:* 1.32 which doth very seldome happen: in other some are Dwarfes, Crooked-backes, Burstenmen, Counterfeites, and monstrous Per∣sons, in great number: they say, that they vsed to deforme them when they were Chil∣dren, to set forth the Kings greatnesse: euery of these persons were in seuerall Halles by [ 60] themselues.

* 1.33In the lower Halles were great Cages made of timber: in some of them were Lions, in o∣ther Tigres, in other Ounces, in others Wolues: in conclusion, there was no foure-footed beast that wanted there, onely to the effect that the mightie Mutezuma might say that hee had such

things in his house. They were fed with their ordinary, as Ginea cockes, Deere, Dogges, and such like.

There was also in other Hals great earthen vessels, some with earth, and some with wa∣ter, wherein were Snakes, as grosse as a mans thigh, Vipers, Crocodiles,* 1.34 which they call Cay∣manes, or Lizarts of twenty foote long, with such Scales and head as a Dragon hath: Also other little Lizarts, and other venemous Beasts and Serpents as well of the water as of the land, a terrible sight for the lookers on.

There were also other Cages for foule of rapine of all sorts, as Hawkes, Kites, Boyters,* 1.35 and at the least nine or ten kinde of Haukes. This house of foule had of daily allowance fiue hundred [ 10] Gynea cockes, and three hundred men of seruice, besides the Falconers and Hunters, which are infinite. There were many other sorts of Foules that our men knew not, which seemed by their beake and talents good to Hauke withall.

To the Snakes and other venemous Beasts they gaue the bloud of men sacrificed, to feede them, and some say, they gaue vnto them mans flesh, which the great Lizarts doe eate ve∣ry well. The Spaniards saw the floore couered with bloud like a iellie in a Slaughter-house, it stunke horribly. It was strange to see the Officers in this House, how euery one was oc∣cupied. Our men tooke great pleasure in beholding such strange things, but they could not away with the roaring of the Lyons, the fearefull hissing of the Snakes and Adders, the dolefull howling and barking of the Wolues, the sorrowfull yelling of the Ownzes [ 20] and Tigres, when they would haue meate. Most certaine, in the night season it seemed a Dungeon of Hell, and a dwelling place of the Deuill, and euen so it was indeede,* 1.36 for neere at hand was a Hall of a hundred and fiftie foote long, and thirty foote broad, where was a Chappell with the Roofe of Siluer and Gold in leafe Wainescotted, and decked with great store of Pearle and Stone, as Agattes, Cornerines, Emeralds, Rubies, and diuers other sorts, and this was the Oratory where Mutezuma prayed in the night season, and in that Chappell the Deuill did appeare vnto him, and gaue him answere according to his prayers.

He had other houses like vnto Barnes, onely for the feathers of foules,* 1.37 and for mantels which proceeded of his rents and tributes, a thing much to be seene: vpon the doores was set his armes, [ 30] which was a Conie. Here dwelled the chiefe Officers of his house, as Treasurer, Controller, Re∣ceiuers and other officers appertaining to the Kings reuenews.* 1.38 Mutezuma had no house wherein was not an Oratorie for the Deuill, whom they worshipped for the Iewels there. And therefore those houses were great and large.

Mutezuma had some houses of Armor, vpon the doores wherof stood a Bowe and Arrows. In these houses was great store of all kinde of Munition which they vse in their wars: as Bowes,* 1.39 Arrowes, Slings, Launces, Darts, Clubbes, Swords and Bucklers, and gallant Targets more trim then strong, Skuls and Splints, but not manie, and all made of wood, gilt or couered with lea∣ther. The wood whereof they make their Armour and Targets, is verie hard and strong,* 1.40 for they vse to toast it at the fire, and at their Arrow ends they enclose a little peece of Flint stone, [ 40] or a peece of a Fish bone called Libisa, and that is venemous, for if any be hurt therewith and the head remaine in the wound, it so festereth, that it is almost incurable.

Their Swords are of wood, and the edge thereof is of flint stone, enclosed or ioyned into a staffe, with a certaine kinde of glew which is made of a roote called Zacolt, and Teuxalli,* 1.41 which is a kinde of strong sand, whereof they make a mixture, and after kneade it with bloud of Bats or Rearemice, and other Foule, which doth glew maruellous strong, and lightly neuer vnclea∣ueth: of this stuffe, they make nailes, pearcers, and augers, wherewith they bore Timber and stone: with their Swords they cut Speares, yea and a Horse necke at a blow, and made dents in∣to Iron, which seemed a thing vnpossible and incredible. In the Citie no man may weare wea∣pon, but onely in warres, hunting, and among the Kings Guard.

[ 50] Besides the foresaid houses, he had manie others for his onely recreation and pastime,* 1.42 with ex∣cellent faire Gardens of medicinall Hearbes, sweete Flowers, and Trees of delectable sauour. In that Garden were a thousand personages, made and wrought artificially of leaues and flow∣ers. Mutezuma would not permit that in this Garden should be any kinde of pot Hearbes,* 1.43 or things to be sold, saying, that it did not appertaine to Kings to haue things of profit, among their delights and pleasures, for such things (said he) did appertaine to Merchants. Yet not∣withstanding he had Orchards with manie and sundrie fruites, but they stood farre from the Citie, and whither seldome times he went:* 1.44 he had likewise out of Mexico pleasant houses in Woods and Forrests, of great compasse, enuironed with water, in the which he had Fountaines, Riuers, Ponds with fish, Warrens of Conies, Rockes and couert where were Harts, Bucks, Hares, [ 60] Foxes, Wolues, and such like, with wildernesse for euerie sort. To these places the Lords of Mexico vsed to goe and sport themselues, such and so many were the houses of Mutezuma, wherein few Kings were equall with him.

He had daily attending vpon him in his priuate Guard, sixe hundred Noblemen and Gentle∣men,

and each of them three or foure seruants,* 1.45 and some had twentie seruants or moe, according to his estate: and in this manner he had three thousand men attendant in his Court, and some affirme more, all the which were fed in his house of the meate that came from his table. The seruing men alwaies abode below in the Court all the day, and went not from thence till after Supper.

It is to be thought that his Guard was the greater, because the strangers were there, although in effect of truth it is most certaine,* 1.46 that all the Lords that are vnder the Mexicall Empire (as they say) are thirtie persons of high estate, who are able to make each of them a hundred thou∣sand men. There are three thousand Lords of Townes, who haue many vassals. These Noble∣men did abide in Mexico certaine times of the yeare,* 1.47 in the Court of Mutezuma, and could not depart from thence without especiall licence of the Emperour, leauing each of them a sonne [ 10] or brother behinde them for securitie of rebellion, and for this cause they had generally houses in the Citie: such and so great was the Court of Mutezuma.

* 1.48There is not in all the Dominions of Mutezuma any subiect that paieth not tribute vnto him. The Noblemen pay their tribute in personall seruice. The Husbandmen called Maceualtin, with body and goods. In this sort they are either Tenants, or else heires to their possessions. Those which are heires, doe pay one third part of all their fruite and commoditie that they doe reape or bring vp, as Dogges, Hennes, Foule, Conies, Gold, Siluer, Stones, Salt, Waxe, Honie, Mantels, Feathers, Cotten, and a certaine fruite called Cacao, that serueth for money, and also to eate. Also all kinde of Graine, and Garden Hearbes, and Fruites, whereof they doe main∣taine [ 20] themselues.

The Tenants doe pay monethly, or yearely, as they can agree, and because their tribute is great, they are called slaues, for when they may haue licence to eate Egges, they thinke it a great fauour. It was reported that they were taxed what they should eate, and all the residue was taken from them.* 1.49 They went verie poorely cloathed, yea and the most of their treasure was an earthen Pot, wherein they boiled their Hearbes, a couple of Milstones to grinde their Corne, and a Mat to lye vpon. They did not onely paie this Rent, and Tribute, but also serued with their bodies at all times when the great King should command. They were in such great sub∣iection to their Prince, that they durst not speake one word although their daughters should be taken from them to be vsed at pleasure. All the aforesaid rents they brought to Mexico vpon their backes, and in Boates, I meane so much as was necessarie for the prouision of the House and [ 30] Court of Mutezuma, all the rest was spent among Souldiers, and bartred for Gold, Plate, Preci∣ous stones, and other rich Iewels, esteemed of Princes, all the which was brought to the Treasu∣rie. In Mexico was large and great Barnes and Houses to receiue and keepe the Corne for proui∣sion of the Citie,* 1.50 with Officers, and vnderofficers, who did receiue the same, and kept account thereof in Bookes of painted figures.

And in euery Towne was a Receiuer, who bare in his hand a rod or a bush of Feathers, and those gaue vp their accounts in Mexico.* 1.51 If any such had beene taken with deceit and falshood, death was his reward, yea and his kinred punished with penalties, as of a linage of a traitour to his Prince. The Husbandmen, if they paid not well their Tribute, were apprehended for the [ 40] same, and if they were found to be poore through sicknesse and infirmitie, then they were borne withall, but if they were found to be lazie and sloathfull, they should be vsed accordingly: but in conclusion, if they paied it not at a day appointed, then they should be sold for slaues to pay their debt, or else be sacrificed.

There were many other Prouinces, which paid a certaine portion, and reknowledged seruice, but this Tribute was more of honour then profit. In this sort Mutezuma had more then suffiti∣ent to prouide his house and wars, and to heape vp great store in his Treasury. Moreouer, he spent nothing in the building of his houses, for of long time he had certaine Townes that paid no other Tribute,* 1.52 but onely to worke and repaire continually his Houses at their owne proper cost, and paid all kinde of workemen carrying vpon their backes, or drawing in sleds, Stone, Lime, [ 50] Timber, Water, and all other necessaries for the worke. Likewise they were bound to prouide all the firewood that should be spent in the Court, which was a great thing, and did amount to two hundred and thirty weight a day, which was fiue hundred mens burdens, and some dayes in the winter much more. And for the Kings Chimneys they brought the barke of Oake trees, which wes best esteemed for the light thereof, for they were great Sorcerers. Mu∣tezuma had one hundred Cities with their Prouinces, of whom he receiued Rents, Tributes, and V••ssalage, where he maintained Garrison of Souldiers, and had Treasurers in each of them.

His dominion did extend from the North sea to the South sea, and six hundred miles in lon∣gitude within the maine Land, although in very deede there were some Townes, as Tlaxcal∣lon, [ 60] Mechuacan, Panuco, and Teocantepec, which were his enemies, and paid him neither Tribute nor Seruice: but yet the Ransome was much, when any of them was taken. Also there were o••her Kings and Noblemen, as of Texcuto, and Tlacopan, which were not in subiection vn∣to

him, but onely in homage and obedience, for they were of his owne linage, vnto whom Mu∣tezuma married his Daughters.

Description of Mexico as it flourished in those times.

MExico at the time when Cortes entred, was a Citie of sixtie thousand houses. The Kings house, and o••her Noblemens houses were great, large, and beautifull, the other were small and meane, without either doores or windowes: and although they were small, yet there dwel∣leth in some of them, two, three, yea and ten persons, by reason whereof, the Citie was wonder∣fully [ 10] replenished with people.

This Citie is built vpon the water, euen in the same order as Venice is. All the body of the Citie standeth in a great large Lake of water.* 1.53 There are three sorts of streetes very broad and faire, the one sort are onely water, with many Bridges: another sort of onely earth: and the third of earth and water: that is to say, the one halfe earth to walke vpon, and the other halfe for Boates to bring prouision of all sorts. These streetes are kept alwayes cleane, and the most part of the houses haue two doores, the one towards the Cawsey, and the other towards the water, at the which they take Boate to goe where they list. And although this Citie is founded vpon water, yet the same water is not good to drinke, whereof there is brought by conduit wa∣ter from a place called Capultepec, three miles distant from the Citie, which springeth out of a [ 20] little hill, at the foote whereof standeth two Statues or couered Images wrought in stone, with their Targets and Lances, the one is of Mutezuma, and the other of Axaiaca his Father. The water is brought from thence in two Pipes or Canals in great quantity, and when the one is foule, then all the water is conueied into the other, till the first be made cleane. From this Fountaine all the whole Citie is prouided, so that they goe selling the same water from streete to streete in little Boates, and doe pay a certaine tribute for the same.

This Citie is diuided into two streetes, the one was called Tlatelulco, that is to say, a little Iland, and the other Mexico, where Mutezuma his dwelling and Court was, and is to be inter∣preted a Spring. This streete is the fairest and most principall, and because of the Kings Pallace there, the Citie was named Mexico, although the old and first name of the Citie was Tenuch∣titlan, [ 30] which doth signifie Fruite out of stone, for the name is compounded of Tetl, which is, Stone, and Nuchtl••, which is a Fruite in Cuba and Hispaniola called Tunas; the Tree (or to speake properly, the Thistle) that beareth this fruite, is named Nopal,* 1.54 and is nothing almost but leaues of a footebroad and round, and three inches thicke, some more, and some lesse, according to the growth, full of thornes which are venemous: the leafe is greene, and the thorne or pricke rus∣set. After that is planted, it encreaseth, growing leafe vnto leafe, and the foote thereof com∣meth to be as the body of a tree, and one leafe doth onely produce another at the point, but at the sides of the same leaues proceede other leaues. In some Prouinces where water is scant, they vse to drinke the iuice of these leaues. The fruite thereof called Nuchtli, is like vnto Figges, and euen so hath his little kernels or graines within, but they are somewhat larger, and crowned [ 40] like vnto a Medler. There are of them of sundry colours, some are greene without, and Car∣nationlike within, which haue a good taste. Others are yellow, and others white, and some speckled: the best sort are the white: it is a fruite that will last long. Some of them haue the taste of Peares, and othersome of Grapes: it is a cold and a fresh fruite, and best esteemed in the heate of Summer. The Spaniards doe more esteeme them then the Indians. The more the ground is laboured where they grow, the fruite is so much the better. There is yet another kinde of this fruite red, and that is nothing esteemed, although his taste is not euill, but because it doth co∣lour and dye the eaters mouth, lippes, and apparell, yea, and maketh his vrine looke like pure bloud. Many Spaniards at their first comming into India, and eating this Fruite, were in a maze, and at their wits end, thinking that all the blood in their bodies came out in vrine: yea and many Phisitions at their first comming were of the same beliefe: for it hath happened, when [ 50] they haue bin sent for vnto such as haue eaten this fruite, they not knowing the cause, and be∣holding the vrine, by and by they ministred medicine to stanch the bloud: a thing ridiculous, to see the Phisitians so deceiued. Of this fruite Nuchtli and Tetl, which is a Stone, is compoun∣ded Tenuchtlitan. When this City was begun to be founded, it was placed neere vnto a great Stone that stood in the middest of the Lake, at the foote whereof grew one of these Nopal trees, and therefore Mexico giueth for armes and deuise the foot of a Nopal tree springing from a stone, according to the Cities name.

Mexico is as much to say, as a Spring or Fountaine, according to the property of the vowell and speech. Others doe affirme, that Mexico hath his name of a more ancient time,* 1.55 whose first [ 60] Founders were called Mexiti, for vnto this day the Indian dwellers in one streete of this City are called of Mexico. The Mexiti tooke name of thir principallest Idoll called Mexitli, who was in as great veneration as Vitzilopuchtli, god of the warre. Mexico is enuironed with sweet water, and hath three wayes to come vnto it by cawsie, the one is from the West, and that cawsie is a mile and a halfe long. Another from the North, and containeth three miles in length. Eastward

the Citie hath no entrie. But Southward the Cawsey is sixe miles long, which was the way that Cortez entred into the Citie.* 1.56 The Lake that Mexico is planted in, although it seemteh one, yet it is two, for the one is of water saltish, bitter, and pestiferous, and no kinde of fish liueth in it. And the other water is wholesome, good, and sweet, and bringeth forth small fish. The salt wa∣ter ebbeth and floweth,* 1.57 according to the winde that bloweth. The sweet water standeth higher, so that the good water falleth into the euill, and reuerteth not backward, as some hold opinion. The salt Lake contayneth fifteene miles in breadth, and fifteene in length, and more then fiue and fortie in circuit; and the Lake of sweet water contayneth euen as much, in such sort, that the whole Lake contayneth more then thirtie leagues, and hath about fiftie townes situated round about it, many of which townes doe contayne fiue thousand housholds, and some ten thou∣sand, yea and one towne called Tezcuco, is as bigge as Mexico. All this Lake of water springeth [ 10] out of a Mountaine that standeth within sight of Mexico. The cause that the one part of the Lake is brackish or saltish, is, that the bottome or ground is all salt, and of that water great quan∣titie of salt is daily made.

In this great Lake are aboue two hundred thousand little boates, which the Indians call A∣calles,* 1.58 and the Spaniards call them Canoas, according to the speech of Cuba and Santo Domingo, wrought like a kneading trough: some are bigger then other some, according to the greatnesse of the body of the tree whereof they are made. And where I number two hundred thousand of these boats, I speake of the least, for Mexico alone hath aboue fiftie thousand ordinarily to carry and bring vnto the Citie victuall, prouision, and passengers, so that on the market day all the streets of water are full of them. [ 20]

* 1.59The Market is called in the Indian tongue Tlanquiztli: euery Parish hath his Market place to buy and sell in: but Mexico, and Tlatelulco onely, which are the chiefest Cities, haue great Faires and places fit for the same, and especially Mexico hath one place where most dayes in the yeere is buying and selling, but euery fourth day is the great Market ordinarily: and the like custome is vsed throughout the Dominions of Mutezuma. This place is wide and large, compassed round about with doores, and is so great, that a hundred thousand persons come thither to chop and change, as a Citie most principall in all that Region. Wherefore the resort is from farre parts vnto that place. Euery occupation and kinde of merchandise hath his proper place appointed, which no other may by any meanes occupie or disturbe.* 1.60 Likewise pesterous wares haue their [ 30] place accordingly (that is to say) stone, timber, lime, bricke, and all kinde of stuffe vnwrought, being necessarie to build withall. Also Mats both fine and course of sundrie workmanship, also Coales,* 1.61 Wood, and all sorts of earthen vessell, glased and painted very curiously: Deere skinnes both raw and tanned in haire and without haire, of many colours, for Shoomakers, Bucklers, Targets, Ierkins, and lining of woodden Corselets: also skinnes of other beasts and fowle in fea∣thers readie dressed of all sorts, the colours and strangenesse thereof was a thing to behold. The richest merchandise was Salt, and Mantels of cotton wooll of diuers colours, both great and smal, some for beds, others for garments and clothing, other for tapissarie to hang houses, other cotten cloth for lining breeches, shirts, table clothes, towels, napkins, and such like things.

There were also Mantels made of the leaues of the tree called Metl, and of Palme tree, and Cony haire, which are well esteemed, being very warme, but the Couerlets made of feathers [ 40] are the best: they sell threed made of Cony haire, pieces of linnen cloth made of cotton wooll, also skaines of threed of all colours: also it is strange to see the great store of fowle, some wilde, some tame, some water fowle, and other some of rapine. All the brauerie of the Market, is the place where gold and feathers ioyntly wrought is sold, for any thing that is in request is there liuely wrought in gold and feathers,* 1.62 and gallant colours. The Indians are so expert and perfect in this science, that they will worke or make a Butter-flie, any wild Beast, Trees, Roses, Flowers, Herbs, Rootes, or any other thing, so liuely, that it is a thing maruellous to behold. It hapneth many times that one of these workmen in a whole day will eate nothing, onely to place one fea∣ther in his due perfection, turning and tossing the feather to the light of the Sunne, into the [ 50] shade or darke place, to see where is his most naturall perfection, and till his worke be finished he will neither eate nor drinke. There are few Nations of so much patience. The Art or Science of Gold-smiths, among them is the most curious, and very good workmanship engrauen with tooles made of flint,* 1.63 or in mold. They will cast a platter in mold with eight corners, and euery corner of seuerall metall, that is to say, the one of gold, and the other of siluer, without any kind of solder: they will also found or cast a little caldron with loose handles hanging thereat, as wee vse to cast a bell: they will also cast in mold a fish of metall with one scale of siluer on his backe, and another of gold: they will make a Parret or Popinjay of metall, that his tongue shall shake, and his head mooue, and his wings flutter: they will cast an Ape in mold, that both hands and feet shall stirre, and hold a spindle in his hand seeming to spin, yea and an Apple in his hand, as though he would eate it. Our Spaniards were not a little amazed at the sight of these things. For [ 60] our Gold-smiths are not to be compared vnto them. They haue skill also of Amell worke, and to set any precious stone. But now as touching the Market, there is to sell Gold, Siluer, Copper, Leade, Latton, and Tin, although there is but little of the three last metals mentioned. There are

pearles, precious stones, diuers and sundrie sorts of shells, and bones, spunges and other Pedlers ware, which certainly are many and strange sorts, yea, and a thing to laugh at their Haberdash toyes and triffles. There are also many kinde of Hearbs, Roots, and Seedes, as well to bee eaten, as for medicine, for both men, women, and children, haue great knowledge in hearbs, for through pouertie and necessitie, they seeke them for their sustenance and helpe of their infirmities and dis∣eases. They spend little among Physicians, although there are some of that Art, and many Apo∣thecaries, who doe bring into the market Ointments, Sirrops, Waters, and other drugs, fit for sicke persons: they cure all diseases almost, with hearbs; yea, as much as for to kill Lice, they haue a proper hearbe for the purpose.

[ 10] The seuerall kindes of meates to bee sold are without number, as Snakes without head and taile, little Dogs gelt, Molls, Rats, long Wormes, Lice, yea and a kinde of earth,* 1.64 for at one sea∣son in the yeere they haue Nets of maile, with the which they rake vp a certaine dust that is bred vpon the water of the Lake of Mexico, and that is kneaded together like vnto Oas of the Sea: they gather much of this victuall, and keepe it in heapes, and make thereof Cakes like vnto brick-bats: they sell not onely this ware in the Market, but also send it abroad to other Faires and Markets afarre off: they eate this meate with as good stomacks as wee eate cheese, yea and they hold opinion that this skum or fatnesse of the water, is the cause that such great number of fowle commeth to the Lake, which in the winter season is infinite. All the Sellers pay a certaine summe for their shops or standings to the King, as a custome, and they to bee preserued and de∣fended [ 20] from theeues: and for that cause there goe certaine Sergeants or Officers vp and downe the Market to espie out malefactors. In the middest of the Market standeth a house which may bee seene throughout the Faire, and there sitteth twelue ancient men for Iudges to dispatch Law matters: their buying and selling is to change one ware for another, as thus,* 1.65 one giueth a Hen for a bundell of Maiz, other giue Mantels for Salt, or money which is Cacao, and this is their order to chop and change: they haue measure and strike for all kinde of Corne, and other earthen mea∣sures for Hony and Wine, and if any Measure bee falsified, they punish the offenders, and breake their measures.

The Temple is called Teucalli, that is to say, Gods House; Teutl, signifieth God;* 1.66 and Calli is a House, a name very fit, if that house had beene of the true God. The Spaniards that vnderstand [ 30] not the language, doe pronounce and call those Temples Cues, and the God Vitzilopuchtli, Vchi∣lobos. There are in Mexico many Churches with Towres for their Parishes and Streets, where∣in are Chappels and Altars where the Images and Idols doe stand, and those Chappels doe serue for buriall places of their Founders; for others are buried in the ground about them or Church∣yards. All their Temples are of one fashion, therefore it shall bee now sufficient to speake of the principall Church. This Temple is square, and doth contayne euery way as much ground as a Crosse-bow can reach leuell: it is made of stone, with foure doores that abutteth vpon the three Cawseys, and vpon another part of the Citie, that hath no Cawsey but a faire street. In the middest of this Quaderne standeth a mount of earth and stone, square likewise,* 1.67 and fiftie fathom long euery way, built vpward like vnto a Pyramide of Egypt, sauing the top is not sharpe, but [ 40] plaine and flat, and ten fathom square: vpon the West side, were steps vp to the top, in number an hundreth and fourteene, which being so many, high, and made of good stone, did seeme a beautifull thing. It was a strange sight to behold the Priests, some going vp, and some downe with ceremonies, or with men to be sacrificed.* 1.68 Vpon the top of this Temple are two great Al∣tars, a good space distant the one from the other, and so nigh the edge or brim of the wall, that scarsly a man may goe behinde them at pleasure. The one Altar standeth on the right hand, and the other on the left: they were but of fiue foot high, each of them had the backe part made of stone, painted with monstrous and foule figures, the Chappell was faire and well wrought of Masons worke and timber, euery Chappell had three lofts, one aboue another, sustayned vpon pillars, and with the height thereof it shewed like vnto a faire Towre, and beautified the Citie [ 50] afarre off: from thence a man may see all the Citie and Townes round about the Lake, which was vndoubtedly a goodly prospect. And because Cortes and his companie should see the beautie thereof; Mutezuma brought him thither, and shewed him all the order of the Temple, euen from the foot to the top. There was a certaine plot or space for the Idoll Priests to celebrate their seruice without disturbance of any. Their generall prayers were made toward the rising of the Sunne. Vpon each Altar standeth a great Idoll. Beside this Towre that standeth vpon the Py∣ramide,* 1.69 there are fourtie Towres great and small belonging to other little Temples which stand in the same circuit, the which although they were of the same making, yet their prospect was not Westward, but other wayes, because there should be a difference betwixt the great Temple and them. Some of these Temples were bigger then others, and euery one of a seuerall God,* 1.70 [ 60] among the which there was one round Temple, dedicated to the God of the aire, called Quecal∣couatl, for euen as the aire goeth round about the Heauens, euen for that consideration they made his Temple round. The entrance of that Temple had a doore,* 1.71 made like vnto the mouth of a Serpent, and was painted with foule and deuillish gestures, with great teeth and gums wrought, which was a thing to feare those that should enter in thereat, and especially the Christians

vnto whom it represented very Hell, with that vgly face and monstrous teeth.

There were other Teucalles in the Citie, that had the ascending vp by steps in three places: all these Temples had houses by themselues with all seruice, and Priests and particular Gods. At euery doore of the great Temple standeth a large Hall and goodly Lodgings, both high and low round about,* 1.72 which houses were common Armories for the Citie, for the force and strength of euery Towne is the Temple, and therefore they haue there placed their store-house of munition. They had other darke houses full of Idols,* 1.73 great and small, wrought of sundrie metals, they are all bathed and washed with bloud, and doe shew very blacke through their daily sprinkling and anointing them with the same, when any man is sacrificed: yea, and the walls are an inch thicke with bloud,* 1.74 and the ground is a foot thick of bloud, so that there is a deuillish stinch. The Priests [ 10] or Ministers goe daily into those Oratories,* 1.75 and suffer none others but great personages to enter in. Yea, and when any such goeth in, they are bound to offer some man to bee sacrificed, that those bloudie Hangmen and Ministers of the Deuill may wash their hands in bloud of those so sacrificed, and to sprinkle their house therewith.

For their seruice in the Kitchin they haue a Pond of water that is filled once a yeere, which is brought by conduit from the principall Fountaine. All the residue of the foresaid circuit serueth for places to breede fowle, with Gardens of herbs and sweet trees, with Roses and flowers for the Altars. Such, so great and strange was this Temple of Mexico, for the seruice of the Deuill who had deceiued those simple Indians. There doth reside in the same Temple continually fiue thousand persons,* 1.76 and all they are lodged and haue their liuing there, for that Temple is maruel∣lous rich, and hath diuers Townes onely for their maintenance and reparation, and are bound to [ 20] sustaine the same alwayes on foot. They doe sowe Corne, and maintayne all those fiue thou∣sand persons with bread, fruit, flesh, fish, and fire-wood, as much as they neede, for they spend more fire-wood then is spent in the Kings Court: these persons doe liue at their hearts ease, as seruants and vassals vnto the Gods.

* 1.77The Gods of Mexico were two thousand in number, as the Indians reported, the chiefest were Vitzilopuchtli, and Tezcatlipuca, whose Images stood highest in the Temple vpon the Al∣tars: they were made of stone in full proportion as bigge as a Giant. They were couered with a lawne, called Nacar. These Images were beset with pearles, precious stones, and pieces of gold, wrought like birds, beasts, fishes, and flowres, adorned with Emeralds, Turquies, Calce∣dons, [ 30] and other little fine stones, so that when the lawne Nacar was taken away, the Images seemed very beautifull to behold.* 1.78 The Image had for a girdle great Snakes of gold, and for Col∣lars and Chaines about their necks, ten hearts of men made of gold, and each of those Idols had a counterfait visard with eyes of glasse, and in their necks death painted: each of these things had their considerations and meanings. These two Gods were brethren, for Tezcatlipuca was the God of Prouidence, and Vitzilopuchti God of the Warres, who was worshipped and feared more then all the rest.

There was another God, who had a great Image placed vpon the top of the Chappell of Idols, and he was esteemed for a speciall and singular God aboue all the rest. This God was made of all kinde of seedes that groweth in that Country, and being ground, they made a certaine paste, [ 40] tempered with Childrens bloud, and Virgins sacrificed, who were opened with their Rasors in the breasts, and their hearts taken out, to offer as first fruits vnto the Idoll. The Priests and Mi∣nisters doe consecrate this Idoll with great pompe and many ceremonies. All the Comarcans and Citizens are present at the consecration, with great triumph and incredible deuotion. After the consecration,* 1.79 many deuout persons came and sticked in the dowie Image precious stones, wedges of gold, and other jewels. After all this pompe ended, no secular man may touch that holy I∣mage, no nor yet come into his Chappell, nay-scarsly religious persons, except they were Tlama∣caztli, who are Priests of order. They doe renew this Image many times with new dough, ta∣king away the old, but then blessed is he that can get one piece of the old raggs for reliques, and chiefly for Souldiers, who thought themselues sure there with in the warres. Also at the conse∣cration [ 50] of this Idoll, a certaine vessell of water was blessed with many wordes and ceremonies, and that water was preserued very religiously at the foot of the Altar, for to consecrate the King when he should be crowned, and also to blesse any Captaine generall, when he should be elected for the warres, with onely giuing him a draught of that water.

* 1.80Without the Temple, and ouer against the principall doore thereof, a stones cast distant, stan∣deth the Charnell house onely of dead mens heads, prisoners in warres, and sacrificed with the knife. This monument was made like vnto a Theater, more larger then broad, wrought of lime and stone, with ascending steps, in the walls whereof was grafted betwixt stone and stone a Scull, with the teeth outwards. At the foot and head of this Theater, were two Towres, made onely of lime and sculls,* 1.81 the teeth outward, and this wall hauing no other stuffe, seemed a [ 60] strange sight. At and vpon the top of the Theater, were seuentie Poles, standing the one from the other foure or fiue foot distant, and each of them was full of staues from the foot to the top. Each of these staues had others made fast vnto them, so that euery of them had fiue sculs broched 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Temple. Andrew de Tapia did certifie me, that he and Gonçalo de Vmbria did rec∣kon

them in one day, and found a hundred thirtie and sixe thousand sculls on the poles, staues, and steps. The other Towres were replenished out of number, a most cruell custome, being one∣ly mens heads slaine in sacrifice, although it hath a shew of humanitie for the remembrance there placed of death. There are also men appointed, that when one scull falleth, to set vp another in his place, so that the number may neuer want.

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,* 1.82 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,* 1.83 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,* 1.84 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,* 1.85 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,* 1.86 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,* 1.87 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,* 1.88 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,* 1.89 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,* 1.90 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,* 1.91 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,* 1.92 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,* 1.93 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.* 1.94 The Indians did affirme that Necau••lpincint•• did hang a Iudge in Tez∣••••••o, for 〈…〉〈…〉 sentence, be himselfe knowing the contrary.* 1.95 The Murtherer is executed

without exception. The woman with childe that wilfully casteth her creature, suffereth death for the same.* 1.96 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,* 1.97 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,* 1.98 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

  This part of Lopez was long since transla∣ted and pub∣lished by Tho. Nichols. I haue here in diuers places amēded it by the Ita∣lian translation of Agostino di Craualiz: for the Spanish ori∣ginall I haue not.
• * 1.2

  Purgatory▪
• * 1.3

  The solemne pompe where∣with Cortes was receiued into Mexico.
• * 1.4

  Mutezumas state and Ma∣iestie.
• * 1.5

  Spaniards giue gawdy glas••e for gold and glory.
• * 1.6

  The Oration of Mutezuma to the Spa∣niards.
• * 1.7

  A strange opi∣nion.
• * 1.8

  A louing an∣swer••.
• * 1.9

  Mutezuma de∣scribed.
• * 1.10

  Cin.
• * 1.11

  Title Cin.
• * 1.12

  Change of Apparell.
• * 1.13

  His Wardrobe. His diet••rites.
• * 1.14

  Magnificent attendance.
• * 1.15

  His wiues.
• * 1.16

  Bare-foot ser∣uice.
• * 1.17

  Musicke.
• * 1.18

  Iesters.
• * 1.19

  Plate.
• * 1.20

  Mans flesh.
• * 1.21

  State ceremo∣nies.
• * 1.22

  Iesters and Players.
• * 1.23

  Games.
• * 1.24

  The Tennis play in Mexico.
• * 1.25

  God of the Ball.
• * 1.26

  His Palace.
• * 1.27

  Twentie doores.

  Three Courts. Hals, cham∣bers, wals, &c.
• * 1.28

  Multitude of women.
• * 1.29

  His Armes hee after saith a Conie was his armes, but this Eagle was ge∣nerall to all the Mexican Kings Gryffon-tale.
• * 1.30

  A house of fowle, which were only pre∣serued for
• * 1.31

  their feathers. A house of fowle for haw∣king and other strange things.
• * 1.32

  White men.
• * 1.33

  Wild beasts.
• * 1.34

  Snakes, &c.
• * 1.35

  Foules of prey
• * 1.36

  Deuils den.
• * 1.37

  Store-houses.
• * 1.38

  Officers.
• * 1.39

  The Armory of Mutezuma.
• * 1.40

  Wood for Armes.
• * 1.41

  Wodden Swords with stone edges.
• * 1.42

  The Gardens of Mutezuma.
• * 1.43

  Note of a magnificent minde.
• * 1.44

  Houses of plea∣sure.
• * 1.45

  The Court and Guard of Mu∣tezuma.
• * 1.46

  Great Vassals.
• * 1.47

  State-caution.
• * 1.48

  Tributes and subiection of the Indians to their King.
• * 1.49

  Pouerty of the Tenants.
• * 1.50

  See our picture booke.
• * 1.51

  Receiuers.
• * 1.52

  Tribute of mens labours.
• * 1.53

  Three sorts of Streetes.
• * 1.54

  It groweth al∣so in Bermuda.
• * 1.55

  The name of Mexico.
• * 1.56

  Two Lakes, one s••lt the other fresh.
• * 1.57

  E••bing and flowing by the winde. Some (as Pairitius) hence moued, deriue the cause of the Seas flowing from the salt∣nesse.

  Cause of the saltnesse.
• * 1.58

  200000. Ca∣noas.
• * 1.59

  The Market place of Mexi∣co.
• * 1.60

  Order of Sel∣lers.
• * 1.61

  The diuers wares.
• * 1.62

  Indian worke∣manship.
• * 1.63

  Gold-smiths artifices.
• * 1.64

  Victuall of di∣uers sorts.
• * 1.65

  Bartering.
• * 1.66

  The great Temple of Mexico.
• * 1.67

  Chiefe Temple described.
• * 1.68

  Two Altars.
• * 1.69

  Fortie towres.
• * 1.70

  Seuerall Tem∣ples to seue∣rall gods.
• * 1.71

  A strange doore.
• * 1.72

  Temple-halls.
• * 1.73

  Idoll-holes.
• * 1.74

  Bloudie walls.
• * 1.75

  Deuillish Priests.
• * 1.76

  5000. resi∣dents.
• * 1.77

  The Idols of Mexico. 2000. gods.
• * 1.78

  A wicked at∣tyre.
• * 1.79

  A mad offe∣ring.
• * 1.80

  The Charnell house, or place of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mens Sculls.
• * 1.81

  Terrible spe∣ctacle.
• * 1.82

  The accoun∣ting of yeares.
• * 1.83

  The Indians beleeued that fiue ages were past, which they called Sunnes.
• * 1.84

  The Corona∣tion of the Kings of Mex∣ico.
• * 1.85

  The ointment.
• * 1.86

  The opinion of the Mexi∣cans concer∣ning the Soule
• * 1.87

  Nine places for Soules.
• * 1.88

  The buriall of Kings in Mex∣ico.
• * 1.89

  The order of buriall of the Kings of Mi∣chuacan.
• * 1.90

  Iudges.
• * 1.91

  Painters.
• * 1.92

  Sergeants▪ Prisons.
• * 1.93

  Witnesses and oathes.
• * 1.94

  Bribery.
• * 1.95

  Murther.
• * 1.96

  Theft.
• * 1.97

  Disguise of se••e.
• * 1.98

  Duels capitall.