them, and after interchange of courtesies led the way to the altar, draped in native cotton fabrics, where Father Olmedo celebrated mass,[1] aided by Father Juan Diaz, Aguilar, and a trained choir. The service over, Cortés invited the chiefs to dinner, and there informed them that he was a captain of the greatest monarch the sun smiled on, Charles V. of Spain, who, hearing of Montezuma's fame, had sent him presents and a message, which must be delivered in person immediately.[2] How easy way to him who knows it! Had Cortés but spoken the simple word, "I am Quetzalcoatl, come to resume my rule," he might possibly at one time have ridden midst hosannas to the capital, and seated himself without resistance on Montezuma's throne.
But the minion of an earthly monarch is quite a different being from the fair god in the eyes of the Aztec officers, who answer somewhat haughtily, "Be it known to you that our master is the inferior of none; and for the present let these gifts suffice." Saying which the signal is given; the slaves advance and deliver their burdens, consisting in part of food, cotton fabrics more than ten bales, brilliant feather-work, and a cacaxtli, or basket, filled with wrought gold set with rare stones and pearls. Cortés expressed thanks, gave for Montezuma in return a carved and inlaid arm-chair, some engraved marcasite laid in muskscented cotton, a bright red cap, a gold medal stamped with the figures of St George and the dragon, twisted strings of beads, and other articles; and would the emperor deign to wear the cap and occupy the chair when it became his pleasure to receive him? To the chiefs were also given some trifles. Teuhtlile promised to deliver to Montezuma the gifts and the
- ↑ Here Solis takes Bernal Diaz to task for asserting that mass had been already said on Friday. Hist. Mex., i. 121. But the scholar is too severe upon the soldier, whose head is true enough, however may be his tongue.
- ↑ 'All Gomara's fictions,' sneers Las Casas, Hist. Ind., iv. 484, who ignores Marina's ability to interpret, and thinks the interview was limited to the simplest expressions conveyed by signs.
