HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



207 



infinite afFe^lion and kindnefs^ and promifed to aflift him 

 alfo with all his forces. From thence he went to Tlaf- 

 cala, where he was moft nobly treated, and in that city 

 the time and place was agreed upon at which the troops 

 of Cholula, Huexotzinco, and Tlafcala were to be affem- 

 bled. When he departed from this lafl city to go to 

 Capollalpan, a place fituated about half way between 

 Tlafcala and Tezcuco, fo many nobles accompanied him, 

 he appeared more like a king who was going to take 

 pleafure with his court, than a fugitive prince who was 

 endeavouring to render himfelf mailer of the crown which 

 was ufurped from him. In Capollalpan, he received the 

 anfwer of the Chalchefe, in Vv^hich they declared them- 

 felves ready to affift and ferve their lawful lord againft 

 the iniquitous ufurper. It is probable the cruelty and 

 infolence of the tyrant alienated many from him ; the 

 Chalchefe, befides, were very inconftant and apt to at- 

 tach themfelves fometimes to the one, and fometimes to 

 the other party ; as will appear in the courfe of our 

 hiftory. 



While Nezahualcojotl continued rouflng the nations, 

 to war, the Mexicans finding themJelves without a king, 

 and haralTed by the Tepanecas, refolved to appoint a 

 chief to their nation, who would be capable of checking 

 the infolence of the tyrant, and revenging the many 

 wrongs they had fuffered. Having affembled, therefore, 

 to eledi a new king, a refpe£lable veteran thus addreffed 

 the other ele^ors. " By the death of your lail king, 

 ** O noble Mexicans, the light of your eyes has failed 



you ; but you have ftill thofe of reafon left to choofe 

 ^' a fit fuccelTor. The nobility of Mexico is not extin^l: 

 " with Chimalpopoca ; his brothers are flill remaining, 

 " who are moft excellent princes, among whom you may 



choofe 



