The nexte day _Cortes_ entred the cittie agayne, but he fought not, hoping then that they woulde submitte themselues, but yet the Citizens had no such thought. He came néere vnto a certayne bulwarke on horsebacke, and spake vnto certaine Gentlemen with whome he was acquaynted, saying that now within a shorte space he could make an ende of their finall destruction, but yet of meare compassion he wished it not, for the loue whiche he bare vnto them, so that they would in time rëder themselues: wherfore (quoth he) entreate yée the king to doe the same, and in so doyng ye shalbe well vsed, and haue victuals sufficient. The Gëtlemen hearing these wordes, fell on weping, and answered, that now they knew well their errour, and felte their losse and destruction, notwithstäding they were bounde to obey their king and Goddes. But yet (quoth they) abide a while, and we will certifie _Quahutimoc_ what you haue sayde, and in shorte space they went and returned againe, saying that the next day without fayle their Lord woulde come and talke with him in the markette place. With this answere _Cortes_ returned to his campe, and thought at their méeting to conclude an honorable peace. So against the next day he caused a Canapie and chayre of estate to be sette in the markette place, accordyng to the _Mexican_ vse, and also a dinner to be prepared. The day followyng came _Cortes_ at the houre appoynted, with many of his men armed, but the king came not: neuerthelesse he sente fiue noble men to treate of the matter, excusing the kyng, saying he was not well at ease. _Cortes_ welcomed those Gentlemen, and was gladde of their cöming, hoping thereby to conclude and make some good ende. And when they had dined and well refresshed their hungry bodies, _Cortes_ gaue them victuals, and desired them to returne agayne to the King, and to declare vnto him that without his presence the conclusion coulde not be certayne. They wente and returned againe within twoo houres, and brought vnto _Cortes_ certaine mantels made of cotton woll, very good & well wrought, with answere that the king would not come in any wise, both for shame and feare. And the next day these messengers came agayn, saying that the king would come to the place appointed. But yet he came not, although _Cortes_ attended his commyng more than foure houres: who seing the mockerie, he forthwith sente _Sandoual_ with his Vergantines one way, and he himself went an other, combatting the houses & fortes that yet remayned, where he founde small resistaunce, so that he might doe what he pleased. There was that day slayne and taken prysoners aboue .40000. persons, & then he retired to his campe. The lamentable crie and mourning of the women and children woulde haue made a stony hart relent, the stench also of the dead bodies was wöderfull noysome. That night _Cortes_ purposed to make an end the next day of the warres, and _Quahutimoc_ pretended to flie, and for that purpose had enbarked