HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



279 



" be niggardly of his precious gifts, having hi mfclf raifed 

 " you to the throne on which I wifli you many years of 

 " happinefs." 



Montezuma heard this harangue with much attention, 

 and was fo greatly affected by it, that he attempted three 

 times to anfwer it, but could not from the interruption 

 of the tears, which the fecret pleafure he felt produced, 

 and gave him the appearance of much humility ; but, 

 at laft after checking his emotions, he replied in few 

 words, declaring himfelf unworthy of the ftation to 

 which he was exalted, and returning thanks to that king 

 for the praifes which he beftowed on him ; and after 

 hearing the other addreffes on this occafion, he returned 

 to the temple to keep fad for four days, at the end of 

 which he was re-condu(5ted with great ftate to the royal 

 palace. 



He thought now of going to war to procure vidlims 

 to be facrificed at his coronation. This difafter fell upon 

 the Atlixchefe, who fome time before had rebelled againll: 

 the crown. The king, accordingly, fet out from the 

 court, with the flower of the nobility^ his brothers and 

 coufins being amongft the number. In this war the 

 Mexicans loft f®me brave officers 5 but, notwithftanding, 

 they reduced the rebels under their former yoke, and 

 Montezuma returned victorious, bringing along with him 

 the prifoners which he required at his coronation. On 

 this occafion was difplayed fo much pomp of games, 

 dances, theatrical reprefentations and illuminations, and 

 with fuch variety and richnefs of tributes feot from the 

 different provinces of the kingdom, that foreigners never 

 known before in Mexico, came to fee it, and even the 

 enemies of the Mexicans, namely, the Tlafcalans and 

 Michuacanefe were prefent in difguife at the fpe£lacle ; 



but 



