SINACAM GREETS THE SPANIARDS.
The lieutenant-general was now ready to advance, and on the 11th of April, 1524, he left Utatlan for Patinamit, the capital of the Cakchiquels.[XXV-1] The weak and yielding Sinacam,[XXV-2] king of the Cakchiquels, had already sent with his troops a present of gold to Alvarado, and renewed his assurances of allegiance. He now prepared to meet him with such stately pomp as would be sure to gratify his future master. By this means he hoped his tottering3 throne might be secured to him. Servility and profuse4 hospitality would surely win their hearts, he thought; and then, with the powerful strangers on his side, he might laugh at his enemies. 653 As the Spanish army approached his capital he issued forth with native pageantry to meet it. He was borne aloft by his nobles on a litter, beneath a canopy5 which dazzled the eye with blazing ornaments6 of gold and changing hues7 of quetzal feathers, and round him were the members of the royal family in litters scarcely less conspicuous8 than his own, while a large body of warriors9, with their plumed10 head-dresses and warlike apparel, marched in the rear and on either side. Alvarado's greeting was not of that unalloyed cordiality which Sinacam had hoped. The Spaniard was suspicious. He had but just escaped destruction, and the late danger had taught him discretion11. What he had observed on the march had not tended to inspire confidence or promote peace of mind. All along the route despoiled12 corpses13 of slain14 Indians had met his sight, and the ground was discolored with human blood. Large bands of armed warriors were everywhere seen, and it was evident that the whole country was in arms. But fear was no part of Alvarado's character; therefore, when the king came near, he calmly dismounted, approached him with courteous15 mien16, and with expressions of esteem17 placed in his hands a rare and curious piece of silver jewelry18; then he asked with sombre brow, "Why dost thou seek to do me harm, when I come to do thee good?" Informed of the meaning of the words so seriously addressed to him, and conscious of his own faithful intentions, Sinacam, with calm yet somewhat severe dignity thanked him first for the present, replying, "Quiet thy heart, great captain, scion19 of the sun, and trust in my love." It was then explained to Alvarado that the warlike demonstrations21 he had discovered were directed against a rebellious23 vassal24, who, with the aid of the kings of the Quichés and the Zutugils, had revolted and attempted to make himself a ruler.[XXV-3] 654
PATINAMIT.
Alvarado professed25 to be satisfied, and permitted himself to be escorted by the monarch26 to the capital.[XXV-4] Patinamit,[XXV-5] like Utatlan, was situated27 in a naturally 655 impregnable position. It occupied an elevated plain, surrounded by ravines, the side of which nearest the city was perpendicular28 to a depth of five or six hundred feet. Across this chasm29, at one point only, could entrance into the capital be gained, by means of a narrow causeway, which was closed by two gateways30 of stone,[XXV-6] one on each side of the city wall. This isolated31 plateau was about three miles long and two broad. The chronicler Fuentes describes the remains32 of this city with much minuteness, leaving vivid impressions of its former grandeur33. On one edge of the natural platform, according to that writer, were the ruins of a magnificent building one hundred paces square, of extremely well hewn stone. In front of this edifice34 extended a plaza35, on one side of which were the remains of a splendid palace, and in close proximity36 the foundations of many residences. 656 The city was divided by a ditch running north and south, more than eight feet deep, and surmounted37 by concrete breastworks three feet high. This was the dividing line between the dwellings38 of the nobles and those of the commoners. The streets were straight and wide, and extended in the direction of the four cardinal39 points. To the west was a mound40 dominating the city, on the summit of which stood a round building five to six feet high, resembling the breastwork of a well. Around this the judges held courts; but before their sentences could be executed they had to be confirmed by the sacred oracular stone, which was preserved in a shrine41 in a deep gulch42. It is described as of a black diaphanous43 material, more precious than the ordinary building material. In its gloomy transparency the demon20 made visible the judgments44 that were to be passed. If no manifestation45 occurred, the accused was released; otherwise the sentence was carried into effect on the same mound where the judges sat in deliberation. This oracle46 was consulted also in matters of war.[XXV-7]
ATITLAN.
King Sinacam's reception of the guests in this his capital and court fully47 equalled his promises. Sumptuously48 lodged49, and bountifully supplied with all the luxuries the land could produce, Alvarado himself admits that they could not have met kinder treatment in their own land.[XXV-8] For eight days the Spaniards feasted,[XXV-9] and in return Sinacam succeeded in obtaining the aid of his powerful friends against his hostile neighbors. Frequent conversations were held relative to the subjugation50 of the Zutugils, and to 657 insure this happy consummation Sinacam expatiated51 on the contemptuous pride of Tepepul, king of Atitlan,[XXV-10] and his further wickedness in not tendering allegiance to the Teules.[XXV-11] It seems that the Zutugil ruler had incurred52 the hatred53 of Sinacam by giving assistance to his rebellious vassal, Acpocaquil,[XXV-12] and making nocturnal incursions into the Cakchiquel territory by means of canoes. These outrages54 were prompted partly by his reliance on the impregnable position of his city, situated on the hanging cliffs above Lake Atitlan, seven leagues from Patinamit. Alvarado required little persuasion55 to engage in his favorite pastime of gold-hunting and blood-letting. He was well aware of the supercilious56 nature of Tepepul, and had already determined57 to visit him in person. While at Utatlan he had sent four messengers to the court of Atitlan, bearing the usual requirement; but the haughty58 monarch, instead of paying the respect due to so important a demand, put the messengers to death. This ruffled59 Alvarado, though it did not dishearten him. "I think," he writes to Cortés respecting this city, "that with the help of our Lord we shall soon bring it to the service of his Majesty60."[XXV-13]
Alvarado would help King Sinacam, but first he would like some money for travelling expenses. This reasonable request could not be refused; not only was the treasure house of Patinamit emptied, but the entire district, so far as possible, was stripped of its gold, jewels, and whatever the Spaniards regarded as 658 desirable.[XXV-14] After this the Spaniards were ready to pass into the next district and levy61 like tribute, with or without bloodshed.
THE CITY TAKEN.
In order to proceed with regularity62, Alvarado again sent envoys63 to Atitlan, demanding that Tepepul should cease hostilities64 against the Cakchiquels, who were the allies of the Teules, and again the ruler displayed his contempt by putting to death the messengers.[XXV-15] Thereupon Alvarado set out with sixty cavalry65, one hundred and fifty infantry66, and a large body of Cakchiquels, commanded by their chiefs.[XXV-16] Meeting no opposition67 he advanced with thirty horse to the height above the lake, and descended68 over difficult ground to a level plain that lay in front of a fortified69 rock in the water. This was approachable only by means of a narrow causeway, intersected at different points by wooden bridges. Near by the enemy were now discovered drawn70 up in two bodies, each eight thousand strong. They advanced at once to the attack, armed with lances, bows and arrows, and other weapons, protected, moreover, by cotton corselets.[XXV-17] As the rest of his forces were not far behind, Alvarado did not hesitate to charge, and when the infantry 659 soon came up the engagement became general. For some time it was most obstinately71 maintained, and numbers of the Spanish soldiers were wounded. The cavalry, however, succeeded as ever in breaking the enemy's lines, relieving the hard-pressed foot-soldiers, who thereupon rallied and renewed their efforts so vigorously as soon to send the enemy rushing for the stronghold. The pursuing horsemen arrived at the causeway as soon as the fugitives72; here they were obliged to dismount, as the place was impassable for horses; yet they followed the Indians so closely that no time was given to destroy the bridges, and the Spaniards entered the fort with them. The infantry soon came up, and though the Zutugils struggled desperately73 to maintain their position, the volleys of the arquebusiers made such havoc74 in their ranks that at last they plunged75 into the lake and swam to a neighboring island, whence many of them escaped before the tardy76 arrival of three hundred Cakchiquel canoes.
That evening, after sacking all the houses on the rock, Alvarado pitched his camp in a field of maize77. On the following morning he implored78 divine protection and marched against Atitlan. He found the city abandoned, his capture of what they regarded as an impregnable stronghold in the lake having so discomfited79 the Zutugils that they dared not contend with him for their city. At mid-day he took up position in the capital, and at once set about to overrun and devastate80 the country; but it was so rugged81 that the men could with difficulty move, and he was obliged to content himself with destroying some plantations82 of maize and cacao.[XXV-18] He succeeded in making a few captives, three of whom were despatched to King Tepepul with the usual demand of submission83, accompanied by threats in case of refusal. Perceiving the necessity, the Zutugil monarch gracefully84 yielded, 660 whereupon the conqueror85 became gracious. He complimented the Zutugils for their bravery, pardoned their offences, and exhorted86 them to remain faithful, and to make no more war on such of their neighbors as were the recognized subjects of the king of Spain. To give efficacy to his words he built a strong fort in a suitable position, and left in it four hundred and eighteen men, Spaniards and Mexican allies, under the command of Héctor de Chaves and Alonso del Pulgar. Then he returned to Patinamit.[XXV-19]
Within three days the lords of the lake district presented themselves, with presents of gold and raiment. They expressed joy at becoming vassals87 of his majesty of Spain, for wars and woes88 should thenceforth be unknown among them. The Spanish commander was extremely affable as he presented his visitors with some glass trinkets, of great value in their eyes, and dismissed them with every demonstration22 of affection.[XXV-20]
Perhaps one reason why the play of Helen of Troy was not oftener performed by the Spanish conquerors89 in America was on account of the cheapness of women there. There might be lacking gold, or pearls, or provender90, but seldom was a people found so poor that they could not furnish the army a liberal supply of 661 pretty slave girls. Less is found in the chronicles of this kind of traffic than of the traffic in gold and the traffic in pearls. The merchandise of morality, or rather of immorality91, was less portable than the other kinds. Women were to use and throw away; gold would keep; while pearls were usually a staple92 article in the Spanish nation.
ALVARADO IN LOVE.
Now the pious93 Alvarado, next to his delectable94 master Cortés the most pious pirate in all the Indies, had tasted every iniquity95 condemned96 in his most holy scriptures97 except that invented and acted by the sweet psalmist of Israel. He had severally broken every commandment of the decalogue, then he had put them together and had broken them in every conceivable combination. But while maidens98 were so plump and plenty he had never felt the desire, like good King David, to go after the wife of any Uriah the Hittite. But while enjoying the luxurious99 hospitality of the Cakchiquel capital, with a world to give for a new sensation, Alvarado's eye fell on the beautiful Suchil,[XXV-21] wife of King Sinacam. In some respects it was the Israelitish tale reversed, for Sinacam was by no means a poor man in respect of women, nor was Suchil his only ewe lamb. The susceptible100 heart of the dashing commander was smitten101 by the graces of this queen, and he resolved to possess her. Being a conqueror, with a king for a slave, he might have obtained his desire by the simple demand; but in those days there was something sacred in royalty102, even in heathen and captive royalty. Sinacam was now an acknowledged subject of Spain, and as such possessed103 rights; besides, that was not the way set forth by the bright exemplar of his faith.
Upon some pretext104, therefore, Sinacam was arrested and put in irons. Gold was then demanded, and yet 662 more gold. It was the old method of making the penalty supply the place of guilt105 and condemnation106. Then Suchil was seized, I do not say unwillingly107, for the Spanish commander was fair and fascinating, and the Cakchiquel queen was after all but a woman. Above all things on earth, or beyond the earth, Sinacam regarded her—and for her restoration he offered more jewels, and pretty maidens, ay, the daughters of chieftains, by the hundred. Alvarado refused the prayer but not the offering. When love had cooled he released the king and went his way.
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1
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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2
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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plumed
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| 饰有羽毛的 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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scion
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| n.嫩芽，子孙 | |
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demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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gateways
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| n.网关( gateway的名词复数 )；门径；方法；大门口 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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plaza
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| n.广场，市场 | |
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proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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gulch
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| n.深谷，峡谷 | |
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diaphanous
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| adj.(布)精致的，半透明的 | |
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judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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sumptuously
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| 奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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subjugation
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| n.镇压，平息，征服 | |
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51
expatiated
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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levy
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| n.征收税或其他款项，征收额 | |
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regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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maize
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| n.玉米 | |
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implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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devastate
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| v.使荒芜，破坏，压倒 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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exhorted
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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provender
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| n.刍草；秣料 | |
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immorality
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| n. 不道德, 无道义 | |
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staple
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| n.主要产物，常用品，主要要素，原料，订书钉，钩环；adj.主要的，重要的；vt.分类 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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scriptures
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| 经文，圣典( scripture的名词复数 )； 经典 | |
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maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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