470 DEATH OP THE FIRST MEXICAN KING. 



LIB. vii. sitting on their egges, in such sorte, that they should hatch 

 their yoong ones as they should arrive, without failing of a 

 minute, vpon paine of his indignation. The Mexicans were 

 much troubled and heavy with this prowde and strict com- 

 maunde : but their god, as he was accustomed, comforted 

 them in the night, by one of his priests, saying that he 

 would take all that charge vpon him, willing them not to 

 fear, but beleeve that the day would come, whenas the Az- 

 capuzalcos should pay with their lives this desire of new 

 tributes. The time being come, as the Mexicaines carried 

 all that was demaunded of their gardins, among the reeds 

 and weeds of the gardin, they found a ducke and a heron 

 hatching their egges, and at the same instant when they 

 arrived at Azcapuzalco their yong ones were disclosed. 

 Wherat the king of Azcapuzalco wondring beyond measure, 

 he said again e to his people, that these were more than 

 humane beings, and that the Mexicans beganne as if they 

 would make themselves lordes over all those provinces. 

 Yet did he not diminish the order of this tribute, and the 

 Mexicans finding not themselves mighty enough, endured 

 this subiection and slavery the space of fifty yeeres. In this 

 time the king Acamapixtli died, having beautified the Citty 

 of Mexico with many goodly buildings, streets, conduits of 

 water, and great aboundance of munition. Hee raigned in 

 peace and rest forty yeares, having bin alwayes zealous for 

 the good and increase of the common-weale. 



As hee drew neare his end, hee did one memorable thing, 

 that having lawfull children to whom he might leave the 

 succession of the realme, yet would he not do it, but con 

 trariwise hee spake freely to the common-weale, that as 

 they had made a free election of him, so they should choose 

 him that should seeme fittest for their good government, 

 advising them therein to have a care to the good of the 

 common-weale, and seeming grieved that he left them not 

 freed from tribute and subiection, hee died, having recom- 



