342 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



magnificent promifes, to which he would he able to re- 

 turn good fervices ; but at the fame time declaring, that 

 he could not return back without making himfelf blame- 

 able for difobedience to his fovereign, and promifing 

 not to be the means on his part of the fmalleft injury to 

 the ftate ; and that, if after having explained to his ma- 

 jefly the embaffy which he bore, and which he could not 

 truft with any other perfon, he fhould not approve of 

 the longer (lay of the Spaniards in his dominions, he 

 would without delay fet out on his return to his native 

 country. 



Montezuma's uneafinefs was increafed by the fuggef- 

 tions of the priefts, and particularly by the account which 

 they gave of fome fayings of their falfe oracles, and fome 

 terrible vifions which they faid they had during this 

 time. He was at lan: thrown into fuch alarm and con- 

 firmation, that, without waiting for the ifTue of the laft 

 embaiTy to the Spaniards, he held a new council with the 

 king of Tezcuco, his brother Cuitlahuatzin, and fome 

 other perfons whom he ufed to advife with, all of whom 

 maintained their former opinions ; Cuitlahuatzin, that 

 of not admitting the Spaniards to enter the court, and to 

 make them by gentlenefs or force to quit the kingdom ; 

 while Cacamatzin was for receiving them as ambaffadors, 

 as the king had flrength enough to crufh them, if they 

 fhould militate either againft his royal perfon or the ftate. 

 Montezuma, who had hitherto conftantly adhered to the 

 opinion of his brother, now embraced that of the king 

 of Tezcuco, but at the fame time he charged this fame 

 king to go to meet the Spaniards, and to endeavour to 

 diffuade the general from his journey to the court ; Cuit- 

 lahuatzin then turning to the king his brother, faid, 

 " The gods defire, O king, that you do not receive into 



" your 



