Also they had a certaine Prognostication and forwarning by their Priestes of the comming from the east parties a straunge people, white of colour and bearded men, who should winne and rule that countrey. Likewise there was a secrete talke amög them, that in _Mutezuma_ should ende and finishe, not alone the lynage of _Culhua_, but also the Empyre and kingdome: therefore some were of opinion, not to name him _Mutezuma_ whiche signifieth, agrieued with misfortune. They say also that _Mutezuma_ himself had many times answere of the Oracle of the Gods, that in him shoulde finishe the _Mexican_ Emperours, and that no childe of his shoulde succéede in his kingdome, and that he should lose his seate in the eyght yeare of his raigne: & for these causes he woulde neuer procure warre to withstande the Spaniardes, beleuyng that they should be his successours. Yet on the other side he thought his opinion would take no place, for that he had raygned seuentene yeares: But this should séeme to come from the prouidence of God, whiche giueth kingdomes and taketh them away. _Cortes_ gaue vnto _Mutezuma_ moste hartie thankes on the behalfe of the Emperour, and for himself, and comforted him, who was very sad, promysing also that alwayes he should be king and Lorde, & commaunde as heretofore he had done, and better, yea and also he should be chief ruler of all the other landes and countreys, that he shoulde gette and bryng to the seruice of the Emperour. The Golde and Ievvels that Mutezuma _gaue vnto Cortes for tribute_. After certaine dayes that _Mutezuma_ and his counsell had yéelden their obedience, _Cortes_ sayde vnto him, how that the Emperour was at great costes & charges in his warres, wherfore it should be necessary that his newe vassals shoulde begin to serue in some thing, and to pay their tribute, willyng him to sende throughout his dominion to sée what coulde be gathered of Gold, and that he himselfe should beginne firste to pay tribute to the example of others. _Mutezuma_ answered that he was contented so to doe, willyng that some of his men shoulde goe vnto the house of foule for the same. There went many, and there sawe golde in planches like brickebattes, Iewels, and péeces wrought in a hall, and two chambers which were opened vnto thë. The Spaniardes wödering at the sight, would not touch any thing, without giuing firste aduertisement to _Cortes_, who incontinent went thither, and caused it all to be carried to his lodgyng: besides this treasure _Mutezuma_ gaue vnto him rich clothes of cotten and feathers maruelously wouen in figures & colours, it séemed without cöparison, for the Spaniardes had neuer séene the like: he gaue vnto him more, twelue shooting tronkes, wherewith he himself was wont to passetime: some of them were paynted with birdes, beasts, floures & trées very perfite, a worke surely much to be commended: and some of them were engrauë very curiously, with their mouldes and pellets of golde.