GOVERNMENT OF MONTEZUMA. 505 



Meclioacnn have beene alwaies enemies to the Mexicans, LlB - TI1 - 

 although Montequma said vnto Cortes that he did purposely 

 forbeare to subdue them, to have occasion to exercise his 

 men of warre, and to take numbers of captives. 



CHAP. xxii. Of the behaviour and grentnes of 



This King laboured to bo respected, yea, to be worshipped 

 as a god. No Plebeian might looke him in the face ; if he 

 did, he was punished with death : ho did never set his foote 

 on the ground, but was alwaies carried on the shoulders of 

 Noblemen ; and if he lighted, they laid rich tapestry where 

 on he did go. When he made any voyage, hee and the 

 Noblemen went as it were in a parke compassed in for the 

 nonce, and the rest of the people went without the parke, 

 invirouing it in on every side; hee never put on a garment 

 twice, nor did eate or driuke in one vessell or dish above 

 once ; all must bo new, giving to his attendants that which 

 had once served him : so as commonly they were rich and 

 sumptuous. Ho was very carefull to have his lawes ob 

 served. And when he returned victor from any warre, he 

 fained sometimes to go and take his pleasure, then would . 

 he disguise himselfe, to see if his people (supposing if he 

 weare absent) would omitte any thing of the feast or recep 

 tion. If there were any excesse or defect, he then did 

 punish it rigorously. And also to discerne how his minis- , 

 ters did execute their offices, he often disguised himselfe, 

 offering giftes and presents to the iudges, provoking them 

 to do iniustice. If they offended, they were presently 

 punished with death, without remission or respect, were 

 they Noblemen or his kinsmen ; yea, his owiie brethren. 

 Ho was little conversant with his people, and seldome 

 scene, retyring himselfe most commonly to care for the 



