form of pearls, diamonds, and iridescent balls, strung upon gold cords and scented with musk.[1] With these baubles, which were as false as the assurances of friendship accompanying them, the great monarch deigned to be pleased, for if every piece of glass had been a diamond they would have possessed no greater value in his eyes. As a further expression of his good-will, Cortés offered to embrace the monarch, but was restrained by the two princes, who regarded this as too great a familiarity with so sacred a person.[2] The highest representative of western power and grandeur, whose fame had rung in the ears of the Spaniards since they landed at Vera Cruz, thus met the daring adventurer who with his military skill and artful speech had arrogated to himself the position of a demi-god.
After an interchange of friendly assurances the emperor returned to the city, leaving Cuitlahuatzin to escort the general.[3] The procession of nobles now filed by to tender their respects, whereupon the march
- ↑ 'De margaritas y diamantes de vidrio.' Id. 'Que se dizen margagitas.' Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 65.
- ↑ Solis assumes that Cortés was repelled when he sought to place the necklace on Montezuma. The latter chides the jealous princes, and permits him. Hist. Mex., i. 370. 'Pareceme que el Cortès. . . .le daua la mano derecha, y el Monteçuma no la quiso, è se la diò el Cortès.' Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 65. This phrase, which applies equally to offering the right hand, has been so understood by those who notice it; but as this would be confusing, Vetancurt, for instance, assumes improbably that Marina offers her right hand to Montezuma, which he disregards, giving his instead to Cortés. Teatro Mex., pt. iii. 129.
- ↑ Cortés, Cartas, 85. Ixtlilxochitl has it that Cacama was left with him; and Bernal Diaz, that the lord of Coyuhuacan also remained. According to Cortés, Montezuma accompanied him all the way to the quarters in the city, keeping a few steps before. Gomara and Herrera follow this version. But Bernal Diaz states explicitly that he left the Spaniards to follow, allowing the people an opportunity to gaze; and Ixtlilxochitl assumes that he goes in order to be ready to receive him at the quarters. Hist. Chich., 295. It is not probable that Montezuma would expose himself to the inconvenience of walking so far back, since this involved troublesome ceremonies, as we have seen, not only to himself but to the procession, and interfered with the people who had come forth to gaze. The native records state that Montezuma at once surrendlered to Cortés the throne and city. 'Y se fueron ambos juntos á la par para las casas reales.' Sahagun, Hist. Conq., 23-4. Leading Cortés into the Tozi hermitage, at the place of meeting, he made the nobles bring presents and tender allegiance, while he accepted also the faith. Duran, Hist. Ind., MS., ii. 440-1.
