Pedro de Cieza de León

“ Cieza de Leon properly divides this region into four great divisions:—the uninhabitable frozen plains and mountain peaks, the temperate valleys and plains which intersect the Andes, the great primeval forests, and the deserts and valleys of the coast. It is a land of surpassing grandeur, and exceeding beauty. The snowy peaks of the Andes, upwards of twenty thousand feet above the sea, may be seen from the deserts of sand which fringe the coast, rising in their majesty from the plains, and towering up into a cloudless sky. ”

“ In the great square of Cuzco was the stone of war, in the shape of a sugar loaf, well enclosed, and full of gold. The king came forth, with his councillors and favourites, to a place where the chiefs of provinces were assembled, to learn from them who were most valiant among their people, and best fitted to be leaders and captains. One Indian had charge of ten men, another received authority over fifty, another over a hundred, another over five hundred, another over a thousand, another over five thousand, and another over ten thousand. ”

“ Oh tyranny! what evils do you bring in your train? And you, oh captains of my nation! What moves you to bore and slash each other's entrails with the sharp poniard, or cutting sword? How I lament and deeply deplore that distinguished Spaniards should die for such sordid causes. Through whatever nation or region you might travel it should be said that you justly merit having been born on the banks of the Ebro. And only for others' advantage have you been thus ill advised. ”

“ Next to the fortress of Cuzco, the ruins at Tambo or Ollantay-tambo, in the valley of Yucay, are the most astonishing in Peru. They are built at a point where the valley is only about a league in width, covered with maize fields, with the broad and rapid river flowing through the centre. The dark mountains rise up almost perpendicularly on either side to such a stupendous height that but a narrow portion of blue sky smiles down upon the peaceful scene between them. ”

“ For at the time when the unfortunate Viceroy entered Peru, he found the minds of men, owing to their wealth, not only ready to protest against the laws, but to oppose them. Yet when the same tyrant’s proceedings had led them to disaster and misfortune, Gasca was able not only to enforce the laws but to enact others more heavy, and to carry out the will of the Emperor our lord who is now so powerful and so feared in these parts that his authority is not equalled in any other province in the world. ”

“ Oh my companions and loyal friends!—I well believe that none of you are ignorant of the great merits, valour and liberality of the Adelantado Don Diego de Almagro, my father, or unaware that his was the first sword to reclaim from their savagery the multitude of barbarians in this region and in those which extend as far as the river Maule, thus bringing many of them under the Spanish yoke and into the royal service. He was the ladder by which the Pizarros rose, in recompense for which he was most cruelly deprived of his life. ”

“ On the steep sides of one mountain are the snowy wilds and bleak ridges of the Arctic regions, the cold pastures of northern Scotland, the corn fields and groves of central Europe, the orange trees and vineyards of Italy, and the palms and sugar canes of the tropics. But it is in the lovely ravines which lead from the eastern slopes of the Andes to the virgin forests of the interior that nature has been most profusely decked with all the charms that can please the eye, and enriched with overflowing vegetable and mineral wealth. ”

“ This was the order that was taken to prevent the great events of the empire from passing into oblivion. When a king died, if he had been valiant and a good ruler, without having lost any province inherited from his father, nor been guilty of mean or paltry actions, it was permitted and ordained that songs in his honour should be composed, in which he should be praised in such wise as that all the people should be astonished to hear of deeds so mighty. ”

“ When the citizens of Lima heard the new laws proclaimed, they were much disturbed in their minds, and said one to another, “How is this? How can a Prince so very Christian as his Majesty seek to destroy us, when we have acquired this province at the cost of our property and the death of so many of our comrades. What will now become of our wives and children?” Many lost all feeling, and from that time looked upon themselves as bereft of Indians, and of all property. Being enraged they wrote letters to Gonzalo Pizarro, telling him what had taken place, and how the new laws had been proclaimed. ”

“ Whether it be in these forest-covered valleys, in the stupendous ravines of the Cordillera, on the frozen heights, or amidst the sandy wildernesses of the coast, the scenery is ever on a scale either of sublime grandeur or of exquisite beauty. Rich, indeed, was the prize which the hardy comrades of Cieza de Leon won for the Castilian crown. ”

“ IN this kingdom of Peru, the public fame among all the natives is that the abominable sin was practised in some of the villages of the district of Pueblo Viejo, as well as in other lands where there were evil people, as in the rest of the world. I shall record a great virtue in these Incas; for, being lords with such freedom, and with no one to whom to give an account, besides being able to take their pleasure with women, night and day, and enjoy themselves as their fancies dictated, it has never been alleged, or even hinted, that any of them committed the above crime. ”

“ Ingratitude is a sin which is not easily forgiven. The leaders who take part in wars like this, and whom Don Diego treats as if they were his vassals, endure much at the hands of his friends, and put up with many things to avoid coming to a rupture with them and losing his favour. He has chosen to show as much anger with me for the death of Sotelo, as if his happiness depended wholly upon that captain's life, and his troubles and misfortunes arose solely from his death. ”

“ But it must be understood that if the demand you bring leads to war, it will be a very cruel war, and its fury will extend over the whole kingdom, like a very contagious pestilence. For if there should be a battle in which the Viceroy is defeated, there can be no doubt that another will arrive from Spain, while if the insurgents are defeated they will have little chance of repairing their losses. ”

“ The city of Cuzco is spread out like a map below, with its handsome church towers and domes rising above the other buildings. The great square is seen, crowded with Indian girls sitting under shades before their merchandise, or passing to and fro like a busy hive of bees. Beyond is the long plain, and far in the distance, rising above the lower ranges of mountains, towers Asungato, with its snowy peak standing out in strong relief against the cloudless sky. ”

“ AFTER the Chancas had offered up sacrifices on the banks of the Apurimac and had arrived near the city of Cuzco, the Captain-General or lord who led them, named Hastu-Huaraca said that they should reflect on the great undertaking they had entered upon, that they should show themselves to be strong, and that they should feel no fear nor terror whatever of men who thought they could frighten people by making their ears such a size as these enemies did. He also told his followers that they would capture much spoil, and beautiful women with whom they could enjoy themselves. ”

“ In a raging passion all swore that they would conquer or die, ordering the messengers to go back with that for an answer, and tell the enemy to hurry up, and that neither they nor any other messengers were to return again with overtures, if they valued their lives. Thus was every way towards peace closed. The messengers did not dally, but promptly got their horses and were hustled out of the camp. Don Diego de Almagro, mounted on a powerful steed, ordered a general muster of all his men in the plaza, which occupied a triangular space between the ruined palaces and the temple of the sun. ”

“ The wise old man saw that there could be no forgiveness for Gonzalo Pizarro, and that it was quite futile to send envoys to Spain to explain what had happened and to apply for the governorship for Gonzalo. He, therefore, urged Gonzalo Pizarro to assume the kingship, to create nobles, to grant encomiendas in perpetuity, to marry an Inca princess, and to enact judicious laws for the efficient protection of the Indians. By these measures he would secure the support of all the Spaniards and all the native population—there would be such unanimity that attacks from without would be repulsed. ”

“ At that time scarcely a year elapsed without seeing an expedition fitted out, to undertake some new discovery or conquest. Seville and Cadiz were crowded with adventurers, all eagerly seeking for a passage to that marvellous land beyond the setting sun. It was, indeed, a time of wild excitement. Every ship that returned from the Indies might, and not a few did, bring tidings of the discovery of new and powerful empires before undreamt of. People of all ages and of every grade in society flocked to the sea ports, and took ship for the Indies ”

“ Those of Caitomarca came to the river side, whence they hurled many stones from their slings at the Inca’s camp, and began to utter cries and great shouts. For it is a strange custom with these people, when they fight with each other, how little they allow their mouths to rest. ”

“ I will say that one of the causes that have given rise to troubles and dissensions in this Empire of the Indies, has been the promotion by his Majesty and the high Council of the Indies of illiterate men to the government of provinces, many without the tact or prestige needful for the administration of justice. In ancient times the Romans, who ruled the whole world with their wisdom, did not, on any account, give charge of a government to those who were not learned or acquainted with the laws; for he who has to govern, if he be not prudent, is apt to count everything as nought. ”

“ He wished to be so feared that the Indians should dream of him at night. He ate according to the custom of his people. He listened to those who spoke well to him, and believed very easily. Parasites and flatterers, who are not wanting among those people, had much influence. He gave ear to lies, which was the reason that many died without fault. The youths who, tempted by the flesh, slept with his wives or damsels, or with those who lived in the temple of the Sun, were ordered to be put to death, and the women suffered the same punishment. ”

“ The valley is seldom more than three miles in breadth, and is bounded on its eastern side by the snow-capped range of the Andes. To the westward there is a lower range of steep and rocky mountains. Within these narrow limits the vale of Yucay enjoys a delicious climate, and the picturesque farms, with their maize towers surrounded by little thickets of fruit trees, the villages scattered here and there along the banks of the rapid river, the groves of trees, and the lofty mountains rising abruptly from the valley, combine to form a landscape of exceeding beauty. ”

“ Don Diego, seeing that the battle was inevitable, mounted his horse, with his lance in his hand, and, turning to the soldiers, addressed them thus: "Oh captains, to whom I owe so much, and soldiers so valorous! the battle must be fought, for the enemy is at hand. Bear in mind that to-day is the day when fortune promises us the government of the country, with full vengeance on our enemies and the best repartimientos for yourselves, so do not fail to smite those who have shown themselves to be our enemies. ”