380 MEXICAN FESTIVALS. 



LlB&amp;lt;v - have already spoken, which was called Toxcoalt, which 

 signifies a drie thing; which feast was not made to any 

 other end,, but to demaund rain, in the same manner that 

 we solemnise the Rogations; and this feast was alvvayes in 

 Maie, which is the time that they have most neede of raine 

 in those countries. They beganne to celebrate it the ninth 

 of Maie, ending the nineteenth. The last day of the feast 

 the Priestes drew foorth a litter well furnished with curtius 

 and pendants of diverse fashions. This litter had so many 

 armes to holde by as there were ministers to carry it. All 

 which came foorth besmeered with black and long haire, 

 halfe in tresses with white strings, and attyred in the livery 

 of the idoll. Upon this litter they set the personage of the 

 idoll appoynted for this feast, which they called the resem 

 blance of their God Tezcalipuca, and taking it upon their 

 shoulders they broght it openly to the foote of the stairs; 

 then came forth the yong men and maidens of the Temple, 

 carrying a great cord wreathed of chaines of roasted mays, 

 with the which they invironed the Litter, putting a chaiue 

 of the same about the idolles necke, and a garland vppon 

 his head. They called the cord Toxcalt, signifying the 

 drought and barrennesse of the time. The yoong men 

 came wrapped in redde curtines, with garlands and chains 

 of roasted mays. The maides were clothed in new garments, 

 wearing chaines about their neckes of roasted mays; and 

 vpon their heads myters made of rods covered with this 

 mays, they had their feete covered with feathers, and 

 their armes and cheekes painted. They brought much 

 of this roasted mays, and the chiefe men put it vpon their 

 heads, and about their neckes, taking flowers in their handes. 

 The idoll being placed in his litter, they strewed round about 

 a great quantitie of the boughes of Manguey, the leaves 

 whereof are large and pricking. 



This litter being set vpon the religions mens shoulders, 

 they carrycd it in procession within the circuite of the Court, 



