FLOATING GARDENS. 409 



bring vnto him ycarely by water, dressed in this manor, LlB 

 without failing; which if they did not, he declared them his 

 enemies, and would roote them out. The Mexicaines were 

 much troubled at this commauudement, holding it impos 

 sible : and that this demaund was to no other end, but to 

 seeke occasion to ruino them. But their god Vitzlipuztli 

 comforted them, appearing that night to an olde man, com- 

 maunding him to say to the king his sonue in his name, 

 that hee should make no difficultie to accept of this tribute, 

 he would help them and make the meanes easie, which after 

 happened : for the time of tribute being come, the Mexi- 

 canes carried the trees that were required, and moreover, a 

 garden made and floating in the water, and in it much 

 Mays (which is their corne) already grained and in the 

 eare : there was also Indian pepper, beetes, Tomates, pease, 

 gourds, and many other things, al ripe, and in their season. 

 Such as have not scene the gardines in the lake of Mexico, 

 in the middest of the water, will not beleeve it, but will say 

 it is an inchantment of the Divell whom they worship : But 

 in trueth it is a matter to be done, and there hath beeue often 

 seene of these gardens floating in the water; for they cast earth 

 vpon reedes and grasse, in such sort as it never wastes in the 

 w ? ater; theysowc and plant this ground, so as the grainegrowes 

 and ripens very well, and then they remove it from place to 

 place. But it is true, that to make this great garden easily, 

 and to have the fruites grow well, is a thing that makes 

 men iudge there was the worke of Vitzlipuztli, whom other 

 wise they call Patillas, specially having never made nor 

 scene the like. The king of Azcapuzalco wondred much 

 when he sawe that accomplished which he held impossible, 

 saying vnto his subiects, that this people had a great god 

 that made all easie vnto them, and lice sayd vnto the Mexi 

 caines, that seeing their Cod gave them all things perfit 

 hee would the ycare following, at the time of tribute, they 

 shuulde bring in their gardine a wild ducke, and a heron, 



