MEXICAN FEASTS. 379 



aire, and then gathered vp earth, which he put in his LlD - 

 mouth, and did eate it in signe of adoration. The like did 

 all they that were present, and, weeping, they fell flat to 

 the ground, invocating the darknesse of the night, and the 

 windes, intreating them not to leave them, nor to forget 

 them, or else to take away their lives, and free them from 

 the labours they indured therein. Theeves, adulterers, and 

 rnurtherers, and all others offenders, had great feare and 

 heaviness whilest this flute sounded, so as some could not 

 dissemble nor hide their offences. By this meanes they 

 all demanded no other thing of their god, but to have 

 their offences concealed, powring foorth many teares, with 

 great repentaunce and sorrow, offering great store of in 

 cense to appease their gods. The couragious and valiant 

 men, and all the olde souldiers that followed the Arto of 

 AVarro hearing this flute, dernaunded with great devotion 

 of God the Creator, of the Lorde for whome wee live, of tlio 

 Biinne, and of other their gods, that they would give them 

 victorie against their ennemies, and strength to take many 

 captives, therewith to honour their sacrifices. This cere- 

 monie was dooue ten dayes before the feast; During which 

 teune dayes the Priest did sound this flute, to the end that 

 all might do this worship in eating of earth, and demaund 

 of their idol what they pleased: they every day made their 

 praiers, with their eyes lift vp to heaven, and with sighs 

 and groanings, as men that were grieved for their sinues 

 and offences. Although this contrition was onelie for fearo 

 of the corporal punishment that was given them, and not 

 for any feare of the eternall, for they certainely beleeved there 

 was no such severe punishment in the other life. 



And. therefore, they offered themselves voluntarily to 

 death, holding opinion that it is to all men an assured rest. 

 The first day of the feast of this idoll Tezcatlipuca being 

 come, all they of the Citty assembled together in a court to 

 celebrate likewise the feast of the Kalender, whereof wee 



