HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



195 



gave way to ambition and revenge. Time will prefent 

 " us with an occafion more favourable for the accomplidi- 

 *^ ment of our father's purpofe, without incurring the 

 " odium of our fubjefe. Nezahualcojotl is not invifible ; 

 " unlefs he hides himfelf in fire, in water, or in the bow- 

 " els of the earth, he will inevitably fall into our hands.'* 

 This happened on the fourth day after the death of the 

 tyrant, when the corpfe was burnt, and his afhes buried 

 with unufual pomp and folemnity. 



The next day the kings of Mexico and Tlatelolco re- 

 turned to their cities, and Maxtlaton began foon by lefs 

 diflimulation to difcover his ambitious defign of making 

 himfelf mafter of the kingdom, fliewing by his arrogance 

 and daring temper, that where his arts would not be fuf- 

 ficient, he would employ force. Tajatzin had not cou- 

 rage to oppofe him, knowing the bold and violent difpo- 

 fition of his brother, and the advantage he had in having 

 fubjefts accuflomed to obey him. On fo difficult a point, 

 he took therefore the refolution of reforting to Mexico 

 to confult with king Chimalpopoca, to whom he had 

 been chiefly recommended by his father. This king re- 

 ceived him with particular marks of efteem, and, after 

 the ufual compliments, Chimalpopoca addrcffed him. 

 What are you doing, prince. Is not the kingdom 

 yours? Did not your father leave it to you ? Why do 

 " you not exert yourfelf to recover it, if you are unjuftly 

 " robbed of it ?" " Becaufe my rights avail but little, 

 " if my fubjefts do not affift me. My brother has made 

 " himfelf mafter of the kingdom, and no perfon feems to 

 give him oppofition : it would be rafhnefs to oppofe 

 him with no other power or forces than my defires, 

 " and the juftice of my caufe." " What is not to be 

 done by force may be fupplied by induftry," replied 



Chimalpopoca, 



