388 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



the kingdom. On the other hand, the priefts exagge- 

 rated the injuries which religion fuffered, and intimidat- 

 ed him with the threats which, they faid, the gods in 

 anger had made, to deny the neceffary rain to the fields, 

 and their protection to the Mexicans, if he did not dif- 

 mifs thofe men who were fo difdainful of their worfhip. 



Montezuma moved by thofe reprefentations of his 

 favourites, and menaces of his gods, afhamed of being 

 reproached for his cowardice, and affected by the dis- 

 grace of his nephew Cacamatzin, whom he had always 

 loved with particular tendernefs, and the diftionour 

 which had befallen his brother Cuitlahuatzin, and 

 other perfons of the firft nobility, although he did not 

 confent to the defign of taking away the lives of the 

 Spaniards, to which fome advifed him, refolved, howe- 

 ver, to tell them openly, that they mud depart from that 

 kingdom. He one day, therefore, fent for Cortes, who 

 being apprifed of the fecret conferences which the king 

 had had with his minifters, his nobles, and priefts, felt 

 many apprehenfions ; but diffembling his uneafmefs of 

 mind, he repaired immediately to the king accompanied 

 by twelve Spaniards. Montezuma received him with 

 lefs cordiality than ufual, and freely laid open his refolu- 

 tion. " You cannot," he faid, " doubt of the great at- 

 " tachment I bear you, after fo many and clear demon- 

 <c ftrations of it. Hitherto I have willingly entertained 

 " you in my court, have even been fo defirous of the 

 " pleafure of your company and converfation, as to re- 

 " main here and live amongft you. As for my own part, 

 " I would retain you here without any charge, daily 

 " making you experience fome frefli proofs of my good 

 " will towards you ; but it cannot be done ; neither will 

 " my gods permit it, nor will my fubje&s endure it. I 



"find 



