Book XII of the Florentine Codex, (compiled 1540-1570 by Fray Barnardino de Sahargún). Translated from the Nahuatl by James Lockhart; published in Matthew Restall, Lisa Sousa, and Kevin Terraciano eds., Mesoamerican Voices: Native-Language Writings from Colonial Mexico, Oaxaca, Yucatan, and Guatemala. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 27-28.

Fifth chapter, where it is said what happened when Moteuczoma's messengers when into don Hernando Corté's boat

Then they climbed up, carrying in their arms the goods. When they had climbed into the boat, each of them made the earth-eating gesture before the Captain. Then they addressed him, saying, "May the god listen: his agent Moteuczoma, who is in charge in Mexico for him, says to him, 'The god is doubly welcome.'"

Then they dressed up the Captain. They put on him the turquoise serpent mask attached to the quetzal-feather head fan, from which hung the green-stone serpent earplugs. And they put the sleeveless jacket on him, and around his neck they put the plaited green-stone neckband with the golden disk in the middle. On his lower back they tied the back mirror, and also they tied behind him the cloak called a tzitzilli. And on his legs they placed the green-stone bands with the golden bells. And they gave him, placing it on his arm, the shield with gold and shells crossing, on whose edge were spread quetzal feathers, with a quetzal banner. And they laid the obsidian sandals before him.

And the other three outfits, the god's appurtenances, they only arranged in rows before him.

When this had been done, the Captain said to them, "Is this everything you have as greeting and salutation?"

They answered,"That is all with which we have come, our lord."

Then the Captain ordered that they be tied up; they put irons on their feet and necks. When this had been done they shot off the cannon. And at this point the messengers fainted and swooned; one after another they swayed and fell, losing consciousness. And the Spaniards lifted them into a sitting position and gave them wine to drink. Then they gave them food, fed them, with which they regained strength and got their breath back.

When this had been done the Captain said to them, "Listen, I have found out and heard it said that these Mexica are very strong, great

warriors, able to take others down. Where there is one of them he can chase, push aside, overcome, and turn back his enemies, even though there should be ten or twenty. Now I want to see it, I want to see how strong and manly you are." Then he gave them leather shields, iron swords, and iron lances. He said: "Well now, very early in the morning, as dawn is about to come, we will fight each other, we will challenge each other, we will find out who will fall down first."

They answered the Captain, saying, "May the lord listen, this is not at all what his agent Moteuczoma ordered us to do. All we came to do was to greet and salute you. We were not charged with what the lord wishes. If we should do that, won't Moteuczoma be very angry with us because of it, won't he destroy us for it?"

Then the Captain said, "No, it is just to be done. I want to see and behold it, for it is believed in Spain that you are very strong, great warriors. Eat while it is still before dawn, and I will eat then too. Outfit yourselves well."

Book XII of the Florentine Codex, (compiled 1540-1570 by Fray Barnardino de Sahargún). Translated from the Nahuatl by James Lockhart; published in Matthew Restall, Lisa Sousa, and Kevin Terraciano eds., Mesoamerican Voices: Native-Language Writings from Colonial Mexico, Oaxaca, Yucatan, and Guatemala. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 38.

Twenty-ninth chapter, where it is said how, at the time the Spaniards left Mexico, there came an illness of pustules of which many local people died; it was called "the great rash."

['the Spaniards left Mexico' is a reference to them having conquered Mexico City, and leaving to regroup before they begin to push through the rest of Central America. That would date this reminiscence to the 1520s.]

Before the Spaniards appeared to us, first an epidemic broke out, a sickness of pustules. It began in Tepeilhuitl. Large bumps spread on people; some were entirely covered. They spread everywhere, on the face, the head, the chest, etc. The disease brought great desolation; many people died of it. They could no longer walk about, but lay in their dwellings and sleeping places, no longer able to move or stir. They were unable to change position, to stretch out on their sides or face down, or raise their heads. And when they made a motion, they called out loudly. The pustules that covered people caused great desolation; very many people died of them, and many just starved to death; starvation reigned, and no one took care of others any longer.

On some people, the pustules appeared only far apart, and they did not suffer greatly, nor did many of them die of it. But many people's faces were spoiled by it, their faces and noses were made rough. Some lost an eye or were blinded.

This disease of pustules lasted a full sixty days; after sixty days it abated and ended. When people were recovering and reviving, the pustules disease began to move in the direction of Chalco. Any many were disabled or paralyzed by it, but they were not disabled forever. It broke out in Teotleco, and it abated in Panquetzaliztli. The Mexica warriors were greatly weakened by it.

And when things were in this state, the Spaniards came, moving toward us from Tetzcoco. They appeared from the direction of Quauhtitlan and made a halt at Tlacopan. There they gave one another assignments and divided themselves into group. Pedro de Alvarado was made responsible for the road coming to Tlatelolco. Cortés went and established himself in Coyoacan, which became his

responsibility, along with the road coming from Acachinanco to Tenochititlan, for Cortés considered the Tenonchaca (Mexica) great and valiant warriors.