The Oration made by Cortez in answere to his Souldyers demaunde.

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My maisters, I would do and fulfill youre request, if it were a thing méete and conueniente for you, for there is not one alone of you, how much more all in generall, for whome I shoulde not willingly aduenture my goodes and life, if he shuld néede the same: for why? your deedes haue bin such, that I stand bound neuer to forget thē, or else to shewe my selfe an ingratefull man. And thinke you not good friendes, although I do not fulfill the thing whiche you so earnestly desire, that therefore I estéeme not youre authoritie: but in not graunting to the same, I do exalt and estéeme you in greater reputation: for why? in oure departing nowe from hence, oure honor is blotted and stayned for euermore, and in abiding héere, we shall like valiant menne preserue the same. What nation is there, that had rule, dominon, and Empire in this world, that hath not bin ouercome at some time? What famous Captayne returned home to his house, for the losse of one battayle? none truly, for he that dothe not perseuer, shall neuer triumph with Lady Victory: he that retyreth, sheweth that he flyeth, and remayneth a mockingstocke for all men: but hée that sheweth nobly his face, dothe vtter the courage of his heart, yea and is both feared, and also beloued.

If we now should depart from hence, these our friēds would accept and iudge vs for cowardes, and refuse perpetually our friendship. Likewise oure enimies woulde iudge the same, and neuer héereafter stande in feare of vs, which shoulde be a greate shame vnto oure estimation. Is there any amōg vs, that would not holde himselfe affrented, if it shoulde be sayde, that he turned his backe and fledde, how much more would it be a dishonor for vs all to haue the same report?

I doe much maruell at the greatenesse of your inuincible heartes in battell: you were wont to be desirous of warres, and nowe that suche iust and laudable warre doth offer it selfe, you doe feare and refuse the same: sure it is a thing cleane contrary to oure nature. What is hée that will prate of harnes, and neuer ware none? It was neuer yet séene in all this India and new world, that any of our nation retired with feare. And woulde you nowe that it should be said, that Cortes and his company fledde, being in securitie, and without perill or daunger? I beséech God not to permitte any suche thing. The warres doe muche consist in fame: why then? what better thyng would you desire, than to be héere in Tlaxcallan in despite of all youre enimies, yea proclayming open warres againste them, and they not dare to annoy vs? Therefore you may well consider, that héere you are more sure than if you were from hence, so that héere in Tlaxcallan you are honored with securitie and strength, and besides this, you haue al things necessary for phisick and medicine to cure youre woundes and obteyne your health: yea, and I am bolde to saye, that if you were in youre owne naturall Coūtrey, you should not haue the like, nor yet be so much made off.

I do nowe meane to send for our men that are in Coazacoalco and Almeria, and so we shall haue a reasonable army: yea and although they come not, wée are sufficient, for we were fewer in number when first we entred into thys Countrey, hauyng no friendes: and likewise you knowe well, it is not the number that doth fighte, but the couragious hearte and minde. I haue séene one of you discomfyte a whole army, as Ionathas did, yea and many among you haue had victory against a thousand, yea ten thousand Indians, as King Dauid had againste the Philistines. I looke dayly for Horses from the Ilandes, and other armoure and artillerie we shall haue from Vera Crux. And as for vittayles, take you no care, for I wyll prouide you abundantly, for they are thinges that alwayes followe the Conqueroures: and as for these Citizens of Tlaxcallan, I binde my selfe that you shall finde them trustie, loyall, and perpetuall friendes, for so they haue promised me vppon their solemne othes, yea, and if they had meante otherwise, what better opportunitie of time could they haue wished, thā these latter dayes, where as we lay sicke in their owne beddes and houses, yea some of vs lame, wounded, and in manner rotten, and they like louing friendes haue not only holpen you, but also serued you with diligence of seruantes, for they woulde rather choose to be your slaues, than subiectes to the Mexicans: theyr hatred is suche to them, and their loue so great to you. And bycause you shall sée the troth, I will now proue them and you, againste these of Tepeacac, who slewe of late dayes twelue Spanyardes. And if this iourney happen euill, then will I followe youre request, and if it please God that it happen well, then wyll I entreate and pray you to follow my counsell.

The Souldyers hearing this comfortable speeche, began to lay aside their desire to goe from thence to Vera Crux. They aunswered generally, that they woulde obey his commaundemente, it shoulde séeme with the promise made, touching the successe of the victory in Tepeacac, and lightly seldome it happeneth, that a Spanyard saith no, when he is required to goe on warfare, for it is holden for a dishonor and shame.