The threatenings of the Mexicans agaynst the Spaniardes.
The cause of this rebellion, beyng well knowen, Cortes demaunded how theyr enimies fought, mary (quoth they) after they had taken weapon agaynst vs for the space of ten dayes arew, they neuer seased with great fury to assaulte and cōbat our house, and we with feare least Mutezuma shoulde escape and flée vnto Naruaez, durst not goe out of dores to fight in the streate, but onely to defende the house with especiall care of Mutezuma, accordyng to your charge giuen vnto vs. Also we being but few and the Indians many, who still refreshed their men, they did not onely wery vs, but also put vs in great feare and cleane out of courage, yea and if at the greatest brunt, Mutezuma personally had not ascended to the toppe of our wal, commaunding them if euer they meant to sée him aliue, to stay and cease from their enterpryce.
At the sight of Mutezuma they were all amazed, and incontinent ceased the combat and assault. They sayde also that with the newes of the victory had agaynst Pamfilo de Naruaez, Mutezuma requyred his men to leaue off from theyr pretence: notwithstandyng, the Indians calling to remembraunce, that Cortes was cōming with a greater company, at whose returne they should haue the more to doe, began afreshe to assaulte the house, wherevppon some doe thinke, that it was agaynst the will of Mutezuma. But it followed, that one day the Spaniardes standing in greate perill, charged their greatest péece of ordinaunce, and gyuing fire, the péece discharged not: the Indians seyng the same, beganne a freshe with a marueylous terrible noyse, vsing staues, Bowes, lances, & stones that came as thicke as Hayle, saying, nowe will wée redéeme our King, sette our houses at libertie, and reuenge our iniuries. But in the middest of theyr fury the péece wente of, without any more prymyng or touche, with a greate and fearefull thunderyng, the péece beyng great and ful of hayle shotte, with the mayne pellotte, made a straunge spoyle among them, and with feare they retyred. But yet they beganne to say, well, well, shortely shall your fleshe be boyled, although wée meane not to eate it, for truely it is very carrayne and good for nothing. But yet we will bestowe the same vpon the Eagles, Lions, Tigres and Snakes, who shal be the graues for your filthy carcases.
But if forthwith ye let not Mutezuma departe, and restore him to his libertie, yée shall quickly haue your rewarde, for your presumption & pride, who durst be so bold, as to lay hande on Mutezuma being our God and Lorde that giueth vs our dayly foode. And yet yée with your filthy théeues handes presumed to touch him, oh why dothe not the earth open & swallow you which taketh other mēs goodes? But marke the end, for our Gods whose religion you did profane, will rewarde you according to your deserte: & if they do not shortly execute their wrath, then let vs alone, for we will out of hande make an ende of you. And as for those théeues and villaines of Tlaxcallan your slaues, shall not depart praysing their gaynes, who nowe presume to take their maisters wiues, ye and to demaund tribute of them, vnto whome they themselues are tributors. These & such like were the wordes of the Mexicans. But our men, although they were in a maruelous feare, yet they reprehended their folly as touchyng Mutezuma, saying that Mutezuma was no God, but a mortall mā as they were, and no better, and that their Gods were vayne idols, and their religion most false and abhominable, and that only our God was holy, iuste, true, and infinite.
The great extremitie and daunger that our men were put in by the Mexicans.
In hearyng the former talke in defense of the house, and prouiding of things necessary, the night passed away. And in the mornyng to proue the Mexicans intent, Cortes commaunded the market to be vsed as in time past. Aluarado wished Cortes to shew himself toward him as agrieued & not well pleased, makyng as though he would apprehend & correct him for the things passed, thinking that Mutezuma and his men would haue entreated for him. Cortes passed not for that talke, saying that they were infidels, diuelish and wicked people, with whome suche complementes shoulde not bée vsed.