328 TEMPLE Ol 1 MEXICO. 



/ supported by two Indians of stone, sitting, holding candle 

 sticks in their hands, the which were like Croisants gar 

 nished and enriched at the ends with yellow arid green 

 feathers and long fringes of the same. Within the circuite 

 of this court there were many chambers of religious men, 

 and others that were appointed for the service of the Priests 

 and Popes, for so they call the soveraigne Priests which 

 serve the Idoll. This Court is so great and spatious, as 

 eight or ten thousand persons did dance easily in round 

 Voiding hands, the which was an vsuall custom e in that 

 Kealrne, although it seeme to many incredible. 



There were foure gates or entries, at the East, West, 

 North, and South, at every one of these gates beganne a 

 faire cawsey of two or three leagues long. There was in 

 the midst of the Lake where the Cittie of Mexico is built 

 foure large cawseies in crosse, which did much beautifie it, 

 vpon every portall or entery was a God or Idoll, having the 

 visage turned to the causey right against the Temple gate 

 of Vitziliputzli. There were thirtie steppes of thirtie fadoine 

 long, and they divided from the circuit of the court by a 

 streete that went betwixt them ; vpon. the toppe of these 

 steppes there was a walke of thirtie foote broad, all 

 plaistered with chalke, in the midst of which walke was 

 a Pallisado artificially made of very high trees, planted in 

 order a fadome one from another. These trees were very 

 bigge, and all pierced with small holes from the foote to the 

 top, arid there w r ere roddes did runne from one tree to 

 another, to the which were chained or tied many dead rnens 

 heads. Vpon every rod were tweiitie sculles, and these 

 ranckes of sculles continue from the foote to the toppe of 

 the tree. This Pallissado was full of dead niens sculls from 

 one end to the other, the which was a wonderful] mournefull 

 sight and full of horror. These were the heads of such as 

 had beene sacrificed; for after they were dead, and had 

 uaten the flesh, the head was delivered to the Ministers of 



