490 MEXICAN CONQUESTS. 



LIB. vir. pl ail t in the market place a tree or very high stake, on the 

 toppe whereof they should make a little scaffold, and meanes 

 to mount vnto it. The Chalcos supposing it had beene 

 some ceremony to make himselfe more apparent, presently 

 effected it; then assembling all his Mexicaines about the 

 stake, he went to the toppe with a garland of flowers in his 

 hand, speaking to his men in this maner, &quot; valiant Mexi 

 caines, these men will choose mee for their King ; but the 

 gods will not permit that to be a King I should committe 

 any treason against my countrie, but contrariwise, I wil that 

 you learne by me that it behoveth vs rather to indure death 

 then to ayde our enemies.&quot; Saying these wordes he cast 

 himselfe downe, and was broken in a thousand peeces, at 

 which spectacle the Chalcos had so great horror and dispite, 

 that presently they fell vpon the Mexicaines and slew them 

 all with their launces, as men whom they held too prowde 

 and inexorable, saying, they had divelish hearts. It chanced 

 the night following, they heard two owles making a mourne- 

 full cry, which they did interpret as an vnfortunate signe, 

 and a presage of their neere destruction, as it succeeded ; 

 for King Montecurna went against them in person with all 

 his power, where he vanquished them, and ruined all their 

 kingdome; and passing beyond the Sierra Nevada, hee 

 conquered still even vnto the North sea. Then returning 

 towards the South sea, hee subdued many provinces, so as 

 he became a mighty King, all by the helpe and counsell of 

 Tlacaellel, who in a manner conquered all the Mexicaine 

 nation. Yet hee held an opinion (the which was confirmed) 

 that it was not behoovefull to conquer the province of Tlas- 

 calla, that the Mexicaines might have a fronter enemy, to 

 keepe the youth of Mexico in exercise and allarme ; and 

 that they might have numbers of captives to sacrifice to 

 their idols, wherein they did waste (as hath beene said) 

 infinite numbers of men, which should bee taken by force 

 in the warres. The honour must be given to Monte9uma, or 



