316 MEXICAN CUSTOMS. 



LlB - v - as came to the interrement. When any one dyed they layd 

 him open in a chamber, vntill that all his kinsfolkes and 

 friendes were come, who brought presents vnto the dead, 

 and saluted him as if he were living. And if he were a King 

 or a Lord of some towne, they offered him slaves to be put 

 to death with him, to the end they might serve him in the 

 other world. They likewise put to death his priest or chap- 

 laine (for every Noble man had a priest which administred 

 these ceremonies within his house), and then they killed him 

 that hee might execute his office with the dead. They like 

 wise killed his cooke, his butler, his dwarfes and deformed 

 men, by whom he was most served ; neyther did they spare 

 the very brothers of the dead, who had most served them : 

 for it was a greatnesse amongest the Noble men to be served 

 by theyr brethren and the rest. Finally they put to death 

 all of his traine for the entertaining of his house in the other 

 world ; and lest poverty should oppresse them they buried 

 with them much wealth, as golde, silver, stones, curtins of 

 exquisite worke, bracelets of gold, and other rich peeces. 

 And if they burned the dead, they vsed the like with all his 

 servants and ornaments they gave him for the other world. 

 Then tooke they all the ashes they buryed with very great 

 solemnity. The obsequies continued tenne dayes, with songs 

 of plaints, and lamentations, and the priests carried away 

 the dead with so many ceremonies, and in so great number 

 as they coulde scarce accoumpt them. To the Captaines and 

 Noblemen they gave trophees and marks of honour accord 

 ing to their enterprises and valor iniployed in the warres 

 and governements ; for this effect they had armes and par 

 ticular blasons. They carried these markes or blasons to 

 the place where he desired to be buried or burnt, marching 

 before the body, and accompanying it, as it were, in pro 

 cession, where the priests and officers of the Temple went 

 with diverse furnitures and ornaments, some casting 

 incense, others singing, and some sounding of niournefull 



