The next day followyng, the horsemen walked vp and downe in the greate market place at pleasure, the poore _Mexicans_ beholding that sorrowful sight frö their houses. And as the Spaniardes wente walking in the cittie, they founde heapes of dead bodies in the houses, streates, and in the water: they found also the barke of trées and rootes gnawen by the hungry creatures, and the men so leane and yellow, that it was a pitifull sighte to beholde. _Cortes_ yet agayne required them to yéelde, and they although they were so leane of body were strong in harte, and answered that he should not speake of any friendshippe, nor yet hope of their spoyle, for when no fortune would fauour them, then they woulde eyther burne their treasure, or throwe it into the lake, where they should neuer profite therby, and that they would fight while one alone shoulde remayne aliue. At _Cortes_ his nexte entry into the citie, he founde the streates full of women, children, olde folke, and many miserable sicke persons whiche were perishyng for want of foode. _Cortes_ commaunded that none of his army should doe any hurte vnto such miserable creatures. The principall folke who were whole and sounde, they stoode in their zoties or house toppes, without weapon, and clothed in mätels. It was thought that they kepte a certaine holy day, peace was againe offered, but they answered with dissimulation. The next day followyng _Cortes_ required _Aluarado_ on his side to combat a streat of .1000. houses that was not yet won, and that he would doe the like on the otherside: for a little space the Citizens defended thëselues, but their defence endured not, but were driuen to flie, being not able to resiste the force of theyr contraries. So that the Spanishe army wan also that streate, and slewe 12000. Cittizens, the murder was so great bicause the _Indian_ friends would shewe no mercie or compassion vpon them, although they were required to the cötrary. So that now the _Mexicans_ hauing lost this streate also, the houses that were not beatë downe could scarcely hold the people y^t were aliue, the streates also being so full of dead carcasses and sicke bodies, that our men coulde not passe but must néedes treade vpon them. _Cortes_ desirous to sée what remayned of the cittie to win, went vp into a high tower, and hauyng well vewed the Cittie, he iudged that of eight parts one remained yet to win. And y^e next day following he assaulted the same, with speciall cömaundement giuen to his army, not to kil any but only such as should resist. [Sidenote: A sorovvfull tale.]