Thus his Predecessors and he, having Conquer’d divers Provinces, insomuch that he was now become absolute Emperor over a vast Tract of Land, he resolv’d to settle the same in good order; to which purpose he erected Courts of Judicature, with good Laws; built a stately Palace and Temple; ordain’d several Customs to be observ’d in Religion; which done, and having Reign’d twenty eight years, he Deceasing, left Ticocic for his Successor.
Description of the Temple Cu.
The foremention’d Temple was call’d Cu, being built of Stone, in form like a Serpent, of an exceeding bigness, in the middle thereof there was a spacious open place, and round about it Habitations, two Stories high, the lowermost for the Inferior Priests, and the uppermost for the High Priests; in this place also above ten thousand People Danc’d in a Circle, on all high Feasts; four great Gates fac’d the like number of broad Streets, each two Leagues long: On the outmost Gate stood large Images, the Front of black Stones, Painted between each Lay with red and yellow Colours, no less Beautiful than Artificial: On each corner of the Temple were plac’d two Marble Statues of Indians, sitting with their Arms stretch’d out, and holding a Candle, and on their Heads Plumes of Feathers: Thirty high steps led up to a round place, set about with Deaths-Heads, which was a Stage appointed for the slaughter of those, whose Hearts were to be Offer’d to the Diabolical gods, and whose Heads, their Bodies being eaten, were brought back to the Priests, who hung them under the Stage, where every Head hanging till it dropp’d off, the vacant place was immediately supply’d with a fresh Head. At the end of the Stage stood two Chappels, cover’d like a Cardinal’s-Cap, in one of which sate the Image of Tiztlputzli, and in the other Tlaloc, to which led a hundred and twenty Stone steps.
But besides this stately Temple Cu, Mexico boasted nine more, standing not far asunder in a large Plain, all adorn’d with curious Imagery, and set out with large Pillars, each being Dedicated to a peculiar Idol, and built with magnificent Apartments, for the Priests to lodge in; the chiefest of them Dedicated to an Idol call’d Tezeatlipuca, or Lord of the Humble. This Temple was ascended to by eighty steps, and had before it a spacious Court; within a low and broad Gate appear’d a high Vail, which open’d into a spacious square Hall, hung with Tapestry, at the end whereof stood large Images, and beyond which were several Rooms, in which Assemblies met, Scholars were taught, Judges sate, and Priests Resided.
Tlacaellel resigns the Kingdoms to Ticocic.
Axayacan chosen King.
But to return again to Muteczuma, his Funeral was no sooner finish’d, but the four Prime Councellors were attended by the Commissioners of Tezcuco and Tacuba, in order to the Election of a new King: Tlacaellel being the chief amongst the Dukes, was by a general Vote Saluted King, as being most worthy thereof, for his special Services shown in behalf of the Empire of Mexico: But he humbly refusing the same, was desir’d to Nominate another, whereupon he making choice of Ticocic, Muteczuma’s eldest Son; the Council immediately bor’d a hole through his Nose, and hung an Emrauld in the same. But before he receiv’d the Crown, he was forc’d, according to the Custom, to fetch in some of his Enemies for an Offering, which though he perform’d, yet he lost more Mexicans than he took Prisoners, not without sufficient testimony of Cowardise; which being ill resented by the People, he was Poyson’d in the fourth year of his Reign, and succeeded by his Brother Axayaca, by the appointment of Tlacaellel; who having attain’d to a great Age, and left the Charge of his Children to the new King, departed this Life, to the great sorrow and grief of the whole Empire; by the States whereof he was Bury’d with great Solemnity.
His Victory against the Teguantepecks.
In the mean time, Axayaca went with a considerable Army to the remote Province Teguantepek, to fetch Prisoners to be Offer’d at his Coronation; and marching before alone, Challeng’d his Antagonist, the King, to a single Combat, which he refus’d, and chose rather to fall upon Axayaca with all his Forces; whereupon, the Mexicans cunningly feign’d flight, ambuscaded themselves till the Enemies pursuing them, gave them their desir’d advantage, for rushing out of their Ambuscade, they set upon the Teguantepecks, so disorder’d, that they easily put them to flight, and had the pursuit of them as far as Guatulco, a noted Haven upon the South-Sea; from whence Axayaca returning Victor, receiv’d a Crown for a Reward; yet notwithstanding these Proofs of his Valor, the Lord of Tlatellulco Challeng’d him; whereupon he sent Agents thither, with proffers, that since the Citizens of Tlatellulco were of one Blood with the Mexicans, whom they deserted upon the dividing of the Wards and Towns, just before the Election of the first King Acamapixtli, they should, if they pleas’d, be receiv’d anew into fellowship and alliance with the Mexicans, acknowledging one and the same King for their Supreme Head and Governor: But the Ambassadors being scorn’d and laugh’d at for their proffers, returning, related the same to Axayaca, who immediately marching thither to take revenge, sent part of his Army to fall on the Enemy by Water; whilst himself falling upon them by Land, put the Lord of Tlatellulco, with his whole Army, to flight, which was so closely pursu’d, that they forc’d their way into the City with them, put the Governor to Death, and laid the Town in Ashes; those which went by Water, having had no less success.