298 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



unlefs they fliould firft renounce idolatry, and embrace 

 Chriftianity ; and upon this occafion explained to him 

 anew the principles of the Chriflian religion, and reafon- 

 ed with all his ftrength on the abfurd worfhip of their 

 falfe deities, and efpecially againft: the horrid cruelty of 

 their facrifkes. To this warm expoftulation the Chem- 

 poallefe chief replied, that although they mod highly 

 valued his friendfhip, they could not however comply 

 with his requeft, to abjure the worfhip of their gods, 

 from whofe hand they received health, plenty, and all the 

 bleflings they had, and from whofe anger, when provok- 

 ed by ingratitude, they mud dread the fevereft punifh- 

 ment. 



The military fire of Cortes was ftill more inflamed by 

 this anfwer ; upon which, turning to his foldiers, he faid 

 to them, " Come on, foldiers ; what do we wait for ? 

 cc How can we fuffer men, who pretend to be our friends, 

 " to pay that worfhip to ftatues and bafe images, which 

 " is due to the only true God ? Courage, foldiers ; 

 " now is the time to fhew that we are Spaniards, and 

 cc that we have inherited from our anceflors, an ardent 

 " zeal for our holy religion. Let us break the idols, 

 " and take from the fight of thofe infidels fuch vile in- 

 " centives to their fuperftition. If we obtain that end, 

 " we will do our God the greatefl poffible fervice in our 

 " power. If we die in the attempt, eternal glory will 

 " recompenfe the facrifice of our Hves/* 



The Chempoallefe chief, who from the countenance 

 of Cortes, and the movements of his foldiers, clearly 

 perceived their intention, made a fign to his people to 

 prepare themfelves for the defence of their gods. The 

 Spaniards already began to afcend the flairs of the temple, 

 when the Chempoallefe chief, confufed and enraged, 



cried 



