Америка в прошлом и настоящем. Часть I. Горчакова Е.П - 26 стр.

familiar with its canals, its bridges, its palaces, and its lakes. After a fierce battle
which lasted almost three months, the Aztec city fell in August, 1521.
     Many years later, a soldier in Cortes's army, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, wrote a
book of memories. It has become a famous history of the struggle between Native
Americans and Europeans for control of America.
     In the following selection, Bernal Diaz describes the Spaniards' first view of
the wonderful city of Tenochtitlan. How surprised the Europeans were! Columbus
had set out to find splendid Asian cities like Hangchow. Although he never reached
Asia, he led Europe to a world as beautiful as Marco Polo's.

     THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF NEW SPAIN
     Led by many Aztec leaders, we began to march along the great
causeway1 that leads to the capital. This bridge is long and straight. Since it is
so wide, it was filled with a huge crowd of people. Some were leaving
Mexico, and some were entering. Many had come to the bridge just to look at
us. Other Indians had climbed to the tops of pyramids to see us. Still others
were gazing up at us from canoes which filled every part of the lake. It is no
wonder2 that they were astonished.3 They had never seen horses, nor men
dressed in armor4 like us. But we were also astonished. We saw so many
incredible things that we did not know what to say. The capital which
appeared before us did not look real. It seemed to be a dream. It was not one
city, but several. Many great buildings were built on the island itself. But
groups of buildings also seemed to be floating on the lake. Everywhere we
looked, the lake was filled with canoes. Bridges from the main causeway
crossed the lake in different directions. Straight ahead was the huge city of
Mexico, and we were only 400 men.
     As we approached the city, the great Montezuma was carried forward in
an elegant stretcher5 to meet us. When he saw us, he got off his stretcher and
began walking towards us. His noble attendants held a beautiful canopy over
his head at all times. Made of brilliant green feathers, the canopy was
embroidered with gold, silver, pearls, and other jewels. Montezuma was
similarly dressed. Even the soles6 of his jeweled sandals were of gold. Some
nobles went in front of him to sweep the ground where he would walk. Others
put down blankets so that he would not actually touch the ground. But none
of these richly dressed attendants dared to look at his face.
     When Cortes realized that the nobles were calling to him, he got off his
horse. He walked up to Montezuma, and both great leaders respectfully7 bowed.

1
  causeway: a street built over water
2
  it is no wonder: it is easy to understand
3
  astonished: very surprised:
4
  armor: metal clothing for warfare
5
  stretcher: narrow bed carried by men
6
  sole: bottom of a shoe
7
  respectful: showing honor

                                              26