174 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



" over a nation which is inclofed among the reeds and 

 ruflies of this lake. It is, indeed, unfortunate to pof- 



" fefs fo fmall a kingdom within another's territory, and 

 to be the chief of a people, who, originally free, have 

 now become tributary to the Tepanecas > but be com- 



" forted, and remember that we are under the protedlion 



" of the great god Huitzilopochtli, Vv^hofe image you are, 



" and whofe place you fill. The dignity to which you 

 have been raifed by him, fliould ferve, not as an 

 excufe for indolence and effeminacy, but as a fpur to 

 exertion. Have ever before your eyes the illuftrious 



" example of your great father, who fpared no labour 

 in the fervice of the public. We fliould wifli, fir, to 



" make you prefents worthy of your ftation ; but fince 

 our fituation will not admit of it, be pleafed to accept 



" our promifes of the mofl inviolable attachment and 



« fidelity.'' 



Huitzilihuitl was not yet married when he afcended 

 the throne ; but it was thought proper that he fliould 

 take a wife, and the nobles wiflied for a daughter of the 

 king of Azcapozalco. To avoid, however, fo ignomi- 

 nious a denial as they met with in the time of Acama- 

 pitzin, they refolved to make the requefl:, upon this oc- 

 cafion, with the greateft demonfl:rations of humility and 

 refpe£l:. Some of the nobles, therefore, went to Azca- 

 pozalco, and falling on their knees, when they were pre- 

 fented to the king, they declared their wiflies, in the fol- 

 lowing words, " Behold, great lord, the poor Mexicans 

 " at your feet, humbly expelling from your goodnefs, a 



favour which is greatly beyond their merit ; but to 

 " whom ought we to have recourfe, except to you, who 



are our father and our lord. Behold us hanging upon 



your lips, and waiting only your fignals to obey. We 



" befeech 



