Muteczuma having heard out the Speech, would willingly have answer’d the same, but could not utter a word for Tears, which gush’d from his Eyes. Before he went out to fetch Prisoners for Offerings at his Coronation, he first setled his Houshold Affairs. And whereas till this time the Kings had been serv’d in their Palaces by ordinary Citizens, he took Knights, and the chiefest of the Nobility, intending thereby to make a distinction between the Nobility and the common People, and add more Majesty to the Royal Dignity. This done, Muteczuma marching against a certain rebellious Province, fetch’d a considerable number of People to be Offer’d to Viztupuztli. At his Return the Coronation-Day was appointed, against which thousands of People came to Mexico; even their very Enemies of Tlascala, Mechoacan, and Tepeaca, which were never conquer’d by the Mexicans, flock’d thither in great numbers. All those Countreys which were under Tribute bringing unvaluable Treasures, came in vast Multitudes, which so throng’d the City, that the very tops of the Houses were fill’d with Spectators, no King in Mexico ever going to the Throne in such splendor; nor was ever any King so much fear’d by his Subjects, none of the common People daring to look in his Face; neither did he ever set Foot on the Ground, but was always carried in a Chair on the Shoulders of his prime Nobility; he never wore a Suit of Clothes but once, nor ever us’d a Cup or Dish after it was once foul’d; he strictly maintain’d the Laws which he had made, and often went himself in a Disguise, to make a strict enquiry after all Affairs whatsoever; by which means the Mexican Power was now arriv’d to the highest top: but, as other Realms, grown top-heavy with good Fortune, turn at last topsie-turvy, just such a Misfortune befell Mexico; but not without several fore-running signs of its destruction: for in the City Cholola their God Quezalcoalt inform’d them, that a strange People were coming to take possession of the Mexican Dominions; and their Soothsayers prognosticated the same, for which Muteczuma committed them all to Prison, and doubtless had put them all to death, had not they escap’d with the help of the Master of their diabolical Art; and though they escap’d themselves, yet their Wives and Children were all put to death upon the King’s Command: Soon after which appear’d a mighty Comet, or blazing Star for a whole year together; the great Temple Cu was set on Fire, and burnt to the Ground none knew how; the Water which was thrown on the same to quench it, burnt like Brimstone; in the Skie appear’d three fiery Heads at noon-day, and out of a long Tail shot Sparks on the Earth; the Laguna, between Mexico and Texcuco, began to swell into a Tide, which turn’d some Houses topsie-turvy; a shrill Voice was heard in the Night crying on the Water, Children, your ruine is at hand; whither shall I carry you that you may not be lost?
A miraculous story of a Bird.
No less strange is what d’ Acosta relates of a Bird presented to Muteczuma, not unlike a Crane, which the Fishermen had taken on the Laguna; on the shining Forehead of which there appear’d the resemblance of two Armies Engag’d, and one defeated by the other, and that whilst the Sages, call’d to interpret the meaning hereof, sat in Consultation, the Bird vanish’d.
Another of a Country-man.
Moreover, there goes a Tradition, That a Countrey-man being at his Labor, was taken up by an Eagle, and carried through the Air into a gloomy Cave, where a Man lay fast asleep snoaring, when on a sudden he heard a Voice afar off, saying, Do you know that Man? whereupon the Countrey-man taking special notice of the dormant Man, knew him, by the Royal Apparel, to be Mutexuma; after which the Voice was heard again, saying, How soundly doth he sleep: the time is coming which provides Punishments for many Crimes; burn the Snoarer with the Torch which he holds in his Hands, he will feel no pain: Not long after he being inform’d hereof, and looking on his Thigh, found the same burnt, to his no small amazement.
News of the arrival of the Spanish Fleet.
Having now possess’d the Throne fourteen years, he receiv’d news of a Fleet, and therewith a Draught of the Men and Vessels painted on Cloth. This startling him, he immediately advis’d with his Council, who judg’d it convenient to secure the Coast along the Southern Ocean with strong Watches; yet nevertheless Ferdinand Cortesius Landed with five hundred Foot and sixty Horse, took the City Potanchanum, march’d through the Countrey Sicuchimalar to Tascalleca, where they had a sharp Conflict, in which the Spaniards were in great danger; and had not they had six Field-Pieces with them, which did as much affright as hurt the Indians, they had without doubt been cut off there. In Chiurutecal they were in as much danger; for certainly the Spanish Army had been set upon in the Night, had not a Woman inform’d them of it.
Muteczuma committed to Prison by Cortesius.
Mean while Muteczuma consulted with his Sorcerers to destroy Cortesius by Charms, who then was marching through Chalco, whereupon a considerable number of Sorcerers went thither to the top of a high Mountain, where, as they were beginning their Incantations and Charms, their Idol Tezcalipuca appear’d to them; and in an angry manner told them, That Muteczuma should lose his Crown and Life; and to confirm his words, he shew’d them a dreadful spectacle; for looking about, they saw the City in a light flame. This being told to Muteczuma, he resolv’d to make himself as secure as he could, and went to meet Cortesius with costly Presents, delivering him the Crown in the presence of all his Council; to which purpose he took one Marina, experienc’d in the Castilian Tongue, with him for his Interpreter; all things then seeming to end in Friendship. But they continu’d not long in that state; for Cortesius, whose whole Design was to bring Mexico under the Spaniards Subjection, not long after accus’d Muteczuma, that Coalcopoca had on his Commands storm’d the new Spanish City Vera Crux, which he could no way excuse; and notwithstanding Muteczuma deliver’d him Coalcopoca, with fifteen of his Nobles Prisoners, who were all burnt with green Wood; yet he was committed Prisoner, to the great discontent of the Mexicans, who said, “That they were now come to a fine pass, to be thus fool’d by a few Strangers, who had imprison’d their King, trampled upon their ancient Images, endeavor’d to murther them all, and in despite of them brought their mortal Enemies, the Tascaltecans and Guazuzingans, into Mexico.”
Cortesius marches against Velasquez’s Party.