History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 4/4Prescott, William Hickling
History
History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 4/4
Prescott, William Hickling
Cortés, Hernán, 1485-1547; Mexico -- History -- Conquest, 1519-1540
“In his whole appearance and presence,” says Diaz, “in his discourse,
his table, his dress, in everything, in short, he had the air of a great
lord. His clothes were in the fashion of the time; he set little value
on silk, damask, or velvet, but dressed plainly and exceedingly
neat;[306] nor did he wear massy chains of gold, but simply a fine one,
of exquisite workmanship, from which was suspended a jewel having the
figure of our Lady the Virgin and her precious Son, with a Latin motto
cut upon it. On his finger he wore a splendid diamond ring; and from his
cap, which, according to the fashion of that day, was of velvet, hung a
medal, the device of which I do not remember. He was magnificently
attended, as became a man of his rank, with chamberlains and major-domos
and many pages; and the service of his table was splendid, with a
quantity of both gold and silver plate. At noon he dined heartily,
drinking about a pint of wine mixed with water. He supped well, though
he was not dainty in regard to his food, caring little for the
delicacies of the table, unless, indeed, on such occasions as made
attention to these matters of some consequence.[307]
“He was acquainted with Latin, and, as I have understood, was made
Bachelor of Laws; and when he conversed with learned men who addressed
him in Latin, he answered them in the same language. He was also
something of a poet; his conversation was agreeable, and he had a
pleasant elocution. In his attendance on the services of the Church he
was most punctual, devout in his manner, and charitable to the
poor.[308]
“When he swore, he used to say, ‘On my conscience;’ and when he was
vexed with any one, ‘Evil betide you.’ With his men he was very patient;
and they were sometimes impertinent and even insolent. When very angry,
the veins in his throat and forehead would swell, but he uttered no
reproaches against either officer or soldier.
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