at the causeway full of those pitfalls which had defeated his high purposes, gloomy thoughts filled his breast. "Why so sad, your worship?" broke in a cavalier.[1] "Yours was not the fault, and never will you be compared with heartless Nero." "I am not thinking of that sorrow alone," said Cortés, "but of the struggles yet required to achieve the mastery. Still with God's approval we will soon attempt it."[2]
In the morning hostile forces again appeared, only to be driven back, whereupon the allies dispersed to sack and fire, with the determination to avenge the attack made upon them during the flight from Mexico. "And in this they used such diligence," writes Cortés, "that even our quarters were endangered." The general was nothing loath to see the flames, for it suited his plans not only to chastise the people, but to render the place less strong in view of later operation; furthermore, it was no easy matter to restrain the Tlascaltecs. Next day the enemy came again in force, but this time they waited not to be routed. They retired steadily to and along the causeway to Mexico, drawing the Spaniards after them. It was the very spot where they had suffered so severely the year before. Cortés had led the cavalry far along the causeway and across one bridge, when the Mexicans with inspiring shouts and doubled force came rolling back on front and flank, from houses and lanes, thrusting with pikes and striking with swords,
- ↑ Bachiller Alonso Perez, afterward fiscal of Mexico. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 135.
- ↑ This incident was commemorated by some poetic follower in a ballad which became a favorite with the conquerors:
En Tacuba está Cortés,
Con su csquadron esforçado,
Triste estaua, y muy penoso,
Triste, y con gran cuidado,
La vna mano en la mexilla,
Y la utra en el costado.
Which may be translated literally:
In Tacuba stands Cortés,
With his troopers strong and brave:
Sad he was and deeply grave;
Sad, and heavily oppressed.
With one hand his cheek he pressed;
Against his side, the other.
