384 MEXICAN FESTIVALS. 



LlB - v - that came first, second, third, and fourth, without regarding 

 the rest. This collation was likewise all carried away by the 

 yongmen as great relicks. This done, the foure that arrived 

 first were placed in the midst of the Antients of the Temple, 

 bringing them to their chambers with much honour, prais 

 ing them, and giving them ornaments; and from thence 

 forth they were respected and reverenced as men of marke. 

 The taking of this collation being ended, and the feast cele 

 brated with much ioy and noise, they dismissed all the yong 

 men and maides which had served the idoll: by meanes 

 whereof they went one after another, as they came forth. 

 All the small children of the colledges and schooles were at 

 the gate of the court, with bottom es of rushes and hearbes 

 in their hands, which they cast at them, mocking and laugh 

 ing, as of them that came from the service of the idoll ; 

 they had libertie then to dispose of themselves at their 

 pleasure, and thus the feast ended. 



CHAP. xxx. Of the Feast of Marchants, which those of 

 CJwlutecas did celebrate. 



Although I have spoken sufficiently of the service the 

 Mexicaines did vnto their gods, yet will I speak something 

 of the feast they called Quetzacoaatl, which was the god of 

 riches, the which was solemnised in this maner. Fortie 

 daies before the Marchants bought a slave well proportioned, 

 without any fault or blemish, either of sickenes or of hurte, 

 whom they did attyre with the ornaments of the idoll, that 

 he might represent it fortie daies. Before his clothing they 

 did dense him, washing him twice in a lake, which they 

 called the lake of the gods ; and being purified, they at- 

 tyred him like the idoll. During these forty daies, hee was 

 much respected for his sakewhom he represented. By night 

 they did imprison him (as hath beene said) lest he should 



