358 MEXICAN COMMUNION. 



LlB - v - the foote of the staires they set downe the brancard or litter 

 with the idoll, tying great cordes to the armes of the bran- 

 carde; then, with great observance and reverence, they did 

 drawe vp the litter with the idoll in it to the top of the 

 Temple, some drawing above and others helping belowe; in 

 the meane time there was a great noise of fluites, trumpets, 

 cornets, and drummes. They did mount it in this manner, 

 for that the staires of the Temple were very steepe and 

 narrow, so as they could not carry vp the litter vpon their 

 shoulders, while they mounted vp the idoll all the people 

 stoode in the Court with much reverence and feare. Being 

 mounted to the top, and that they had placed it in a little 

 lodge of roses which they held readie, presently came the 

 yong men, which strawed many flowers of sundrie kindes, 

 wherewith they filled the temple both within and without. 

 This done all the Virgins came out of their convent, bring 

 ing peeces of paste compounded of beetes and rested Mays, 

 which was of the same paste whereof their idoll was made 

 and compounded, and they were of the fashion of great 

 bones. They delivered them to the yong men, who carried 

 them vp and laide them at the idoll s feete, wherewith 

 they filled the whole place that it could receive no more. 

 They called these morcells of paste the flesh and bones 

 of Yitzilipuztli. Having layed abroade these bones, pre 

 sently came all the Ancients of the Temple, Priests, Levites, 

 and all the rest of the Ministers, according to their dig 

 nities and antiquities (for heerein there was a strict order 

 amongst them) one after another, with their vailes of diverse 

 colours and workes, every one according to his dignity and 

 office, having garlands vpon their heads and chaines of 

 flowers about their neckes; after them came their gods and 

 goddesses whom they worshipt, of diverse figures, attired in 

 the same livery; then putting themselves in order about 

 those morsells and peeces of paste, they vsed certaine cere 

 monies with singing and dauncing. By meanes whereof 



