Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/560

554 you, who have expatiated through the heavens, and conversed with Viztlipuctli, may easily govern us mortals on earth; who can despair, but that the virtue enclosed within your heart will extend to the widows and orphans. Therefore, rejoice, O Mexico. The heavens have granted us a prince without vice; merciful, and not a violater of the laws; agreeable, not despising common conversation; and you, O King, let not this great present occasion any alteration in your so long-known virtues. The crown breeds care for the public good. The troubles thereof must extend over the whole realm, and every one in the realm. (Great applause.)

Montezuma listened to the speech, and would willingly have answered the same, but could not utter a word for tears which gushed from his eyes.

It was not long afterward the whole Mexican empire was under Montezuma's jurisdiction, and by his valor and great popularity was successful in all his wars; and in the few years of his reign, and before the Conqueror Cortez came to Mexico, subdued and conquered over a hundred cities and towns to his dominion; with the exception of the neighboring country of Tlascallian, mentioned elsewhere, whose inhabitants were famous for their valor and strength. They would never, receive or obey any laws from King Montezuma. Montezuma strictly maintained the laws of his country which were made, until he arrived at the highest top or ground, top heavy; and the appearance of a comet in 1512 (mentioned elsewhere) caused great excitement in Mexico, which comet foretold the misfortune that will befall the country. During Montezuma's reign, he captured thousands of prisoners yearly; and history tells us that he sacrificed commonly, one year to another, twenty thousand men, and some years, on an extraordinary occasion, not less than fifty thousand souls.

Thus it seems that the Mexicans carried out the ancient religious traditions of the Phœnicians, for history tells us that Baal—who was, after his death, formed into an idol and worshipped as a devil-god—was the first who sacrificed his son to