y Conq., Ms. - Ped. Sancho,
Rel., ap Ramusio, tom. III. fol. 407.]
Yet the people readily gave in to the illusion, and seemed
willing to accept this image of their ancient independence. The
accession of the young monarch was greeted by all the usual fetes
and rejoicings. The mummies of his royal ancestors, with such
ornaments as were still left to them, were paraded in the great
square. They were attended each by his own numerous retinue, who
performed all the menial offices, as if the object of them were
alive and could feel their import. Each ghostly form took its
seat at the banquet-table - now, alas! stripped of the
magnificent service with which it was wont to blaze at these high
festivals - and the guests drank deep to the illustrious dead.
Dancing succeeded the carousal, and the festivities, prolonged to
a late hour, were continued night after night by the giddy
population, as if their conquerors had not been intrenched in the
capital! *2 - What a contrast to the Aztecs in the conquest of
Mexico!
[Footnote 2: Pedro Pizarro, Descub. y Conq., Ms
"Luego por la manana iba al enterramiento donde estaban cada uno
por orden embalsamados como es dicho, y asentados en sus sillas,
y con mucha veneracion y respeto, todos por orden los sacaban de
alli y los trahian a la ciudad, teniendo cada uno su litera, y
hombres con su librea, que le trujesen, y ansi desta manera todo
el servicio y aderezos como si estubiera vivo." Relacion del
Primer.
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