The General History of Spain
General History of the Things of New Spain
Bernardino de Sahagún
And after the dying in Cholula,[1] the Spaniards set off on their way to Mexico,[2]
coming gathered and bunched, raising dust....
Thereupon Moteucçoma[3] named and sent noblemen and a great many other agents
of his...to go meet [Cortés]...at Quauhtechcac. They gave [the Spaniards] golden
banners of precious feathers, and golden necklaces.
And when they had given the things to them, they seemed to smile, to rejoice and to
be very happy. Like monkeys they grabbed the gold. It was as though their hearts
were put to rest, brightened, freshened. For gold was what they greatly thirsted for;
they were gluttonous for it, starved for it, piggishly wanting it. They came lifting up
the golden banners, waving them from side to side, showing them to each other.
They seemed to babble; what they said to each other was in a babbling tongue....
Another group of messengers—rainmakers, witches, and priests—had also gone out
for an encounter, but nowhere were they able to do anything or to get sight of [the
Spaniards]; they did not hit their target, they did not find the people they were
looking for, they were not sufficient....
Cortés and his entourage continue their march.
Then they set out in this direction, about to enter Mexico here. Then they all dressed
and equipped themselves for war. They girded themselves, tying their battle gear
tightly on themselves and then on their horses. Then they arranged themselves in
rows, files, ranks.
Four horsemen came ahead going first, staying ahead, leading....
Also the dogs, their dogs, came ahead, sniffing at things and constantly panting.[4]
By himself came marching ahead, all alone, the one who bore the standard on his
shoulder. He came waving it about, making it spin, tossing it here and there....
Following him came those with iron swords. Their iron swords came bare and
gleaming. On their
Bernardino de Sahagún
And after the dying in Cholula,[1] the Spaniards set off on their way to Mexico,[2]
coming gathered and bunched, raising dust....
Thereupon Moteucçoma[3] named and sent noblemen and a great many other agents
of his...to go meet [Cortés]...at Quauhtechcac. They gave [the Spaniards] golden
banners of precious feathers, and golden necklaces.
And when they had given the things to them, they seemed to smile, to rejoice and to
be very happy. Like monkeys they grabbed the gold. It was as though their hearts
were put to rest, brightened, freshened. For gold was what they greatly thirsted for;
they were gluttonous for it, starved for it, piggishly wanting it. They came lifting up
the golden banners, waving them from side to side, showing them to each other.
They seemed to babble; what they said to each other was in a babbling tongue....
Another group of messengers—rainmakers, witches, and priests—had also gone out
for an encounter, but nowhere were they able to do anything or to get sight of [the
Spaniards]; they did not hit their target, they did not find the people they were
looking for, they were not sufficient....
Cortés and his entourage continue their march.
Then they set out in this direction, about to enter Mexico here. Then they all dressed
and equipped themselves for war. They girded themselves, tying their battle gear
tightly on themselves and then on their horses. Then they arranged themselves in
rows, files, ranks.
Four horsemen came ahead going first, staying ahead, leading....
Also the dogs, their dogs, came ahead, sniffing at things and constantly panting.[4]
By himself came marching ahead, all alone, the one who bore the standard on his
shoulder. He came waving it about, making it spin, tossing it here and there....
Following him came those with iron swords. Their iron swords came bare and
gleaming. On their