488 THE FIFTH MEXICAN KING. 



LIB. vii. which had beene given him much augmented by the valour 

 and counsell of his nephew Tlacaellel (as hath afore beene 

 saide) who held it best to choose an other king then him- 

 selfe, as shall heereafter be shewed. 



CHAP. xvi. Oftliefift King of Mexico, called Monteguma, 

 the first of that name. 



Forasmuch as the election of the new King belonged to 

 foure chiefs Electors (as hath been said), and to the King of 

 Tezcuco, and the King of Tacuba, by especiall priviledge ; 

 Tlacaellel assembled these six personages, as he that had 

 the soveraigne authoritie, and having propounded the matter 

 vnto them, they made choise of Monte^uma, the first of that 

 name, nephew to the same Tlacaellel. His election was 

 very pleasing to them all, by reason whereof they made 

 most solemne feasts, and more stately then the former. 

 Presently after his election, they conducted him to the 

 Temple with a great traine, where before the divine harth 

 (as they call it) where there is continuall fire, they set him 

 in his royall throne, putting vpon him his royall ornaments. 

 Being there, the King drew blood from his eares and the 

 calves of his legs, and his shins, with certain pointed 

 instruments of a tiger and of a deer, used for that pur 

 pose, which was the sacrifice wherein the divell delighted 

 to be honoured. The Priests, Antients, and Captaines 

 made their orations, all congratulating his election. They 

 were accustomed in their elections to make great feasts 

 and dances, where they \vasted many lightes. In this 

 Kings time the custome was brought in, that the King 

 should go in person to make warre in some province, 

 and bring captives to solemnize the feast of his corona 

 tion, and for the sulemne sacrifices of that day. For 

 this cause King Monte^uma went into the province of 



