[68] Only five persons enjoyed the privilege of looking Montezuma II. in the face: the kings of Tezcuco and Tlacopan, and the lords of Quauhtitlan, Coyouacan, and Azcapuzalco. Las Casas, Hist. Apologética, MS., cap. ccxi. Bernal Diaz says that all who approached the royal seat made three reverences, saying in succession, 'Lord,' 'my lord,' 'sublime lord.' Hist. Conq., fol. 68.
[69] This custom of speaking through a secretary was adopted by the other Aztec monarchs as well as Montezuma, and was also imitated by many of the great tributary lords and governors of provinces who wished to make as much display of their rank and dignity as possible. See Motolinia, Hist. Indios, in Icazbalceta, Col. de Doc., tom. i., p. 184; Las Casas, Hist. Apologética, MS., cap. ccxi.; Torquemada, Monarq. Ind., tom. i., p. 205.
[70] 'Lo que los señores hablaban y la palabra que mas ordinariamente decian al fin de las pláticas y negocios que se les comunicaban, eran decir con muy baja voz tlaa, que quiere decir "sí, ó bien, bien."' Motolinia, Hist. Indios, in Icazbalceta, Col. de Doc., tom. i., p. 184.
[71] Peter Martyr, dec. v., lib. iv.
[72] Torquemada writes of Montezuma II.: 'Su trato con los Suios era poco: raras veces se dejaba vèr, y estabase encerrado mucho tiempo, pensando en el Govierno de su Reino.' Monarq. Ind., tom. i., p. 205.
[73] Torquemada, Monarq. Ind., tom. i., p. 205.
[74] Picking up straws, says Las Casas: 'É iban estos oficiales delante quitando las pajas del suelo por finas que fuesen.' Hist. Apologética, MS., cap. ccxi.
[75] This was the Aztec manner of salutation, and is doubtless what Bernal Diaz means where he writes: 'Y en señal de paz tocauan con la mano en el suelo, y besauan la tierra con la mesma mano.' Hist. Conq., fol. 65.
[76] Green stones, more valued than any other among the Aztecs.
[77] Cortés himself says that the king was supported by two grandees only; one of whom was his nephew, the king of Tezcuco, and the other his brother, the lord of Iztapalapa. Cartas, p. 85.