202 HISTORY OF MEXICO* 



death by him ; and endeavoured to juftify the imprifon- 

 ment of that unfortunate king. He then gave orders 

 that the prince fliould be properly entertained. 



Chimalpopoca being acquainted of the arrival of the 

 prince who was his coufin, at court, fent to requefl: a 

 vifit from him in prifon. The prince having firffc ob- 

 tained the permifTion of Maxtlaton, went to him, and 

 upon his entering the prifon, embraced him, and both of 

 them lliewed much tendernefs in their looks and expref- 

 fions. Chimalpopoca related to him the feries of infults 

 and wrongs which he had fuffered, and convinced him 

 of the malevolent defigns of the tyrant againU: them 

 both, and entreated him not to return again to the court ; 

 as their cruel enemy would infallibly contrive his death, 

 and the Acolhuan nation would be utterly abandoned. 

 At lafl he faid, " As my death is inevitable, I befeech 

 " you moll: earneflly to take care of my poor Mexicans, 



be to them a true friend and father. In token of the 



love which I bear you, accept of this pendant which I 

 " had from my brother Huitzilihuitl upon whi^h he 

 took a pendant of gold from his lip, and prefented it 

 with ear-rings and fome other jewels which he had pre- 

 ferved in prifon ; and to a fervant of the prince he gave 

 a few other things. They then affeftionately took leave 

 of each other, that they might not excite fufpicion by a 

 longer conference. Nezahualcojotl, ufing the advice 

 which was given him, left the court without delay, and 

 never after prefented himfelf before the tyrant. He 

 went to Tlatelolco, where he took a vefTel with good 

 rowers, and got fpeedily to Tezcuco. 



Chimalpopoca remained in comfortlefs folitude brood- 

 ing over his misfortunes. Imprifonment became daily 

 more infupportable to him : he had not the fmalleft hope 



of 



