_How the Lords of Peru were beloved on the one hand, and feared on the
other, by all their subjects; and how no one, even a great lord of very
ancient lineage, could come into the presence, except with a burden, in
token of great obedience._
It should be well understood that great prudence was needed to enable
these kings to govern such large provinces, extending over so vast a
region, parts of it rugged and covered with forests, parts mountainous,
with snowy peaks and ridges, parts consisting of deserts of sand, dry
and without trees or water. These regions were inhabited by many
different nations, with varying languages, laws, and religions, and the
kings had to maintain tranquillity and to rule so that all should live
in peace and in friendship towards their lord. Although the city of
Cuzco was the head of the empire, as we have remarked in many places,
yet at certain points, as we shall also explain, the king stationed his
delegates and governors, who were the most learned, the ablest, and the
bravest men that could be found, and none was so youthful that he was
not already in the last third part of his age. As they were faithful and
none betrayed their trusts, and as they had the _mitimaes_[96] on their
side, none of the natives, though they might be more powerful, attempted
to rise in rebellion; or if such a thing ever did take place, the town
where the revolt broke out was punished, and the ringleaders were sent
prisoners to Cuzco.
Thus the kings were so feared that, when they travelled over the
provinces, and permitted a piece of the cloth to be raised which hung
round their litter, so as to allow their vassals to behold them, there
was such an outcry that the birds fell from the upper air where they
were flying, insomuch that they could be caught in men’s hands. All men
so feared the king, that they did not dare to speak evil even of his
shadow. And this was not all. If any of the king’s captains or servants
went forth to visit a distant part of the empire on some business, the
people came out on the road with presents to receive them, not daring,
even if one came alone, to omit to comply with all his commands.
So great was the veneration that the people felt for their princes,
throughout this vast region, that every district was as well regulated
and governed as if the lord was actually present to chastise those who
acted contrary to his rules. This fear arose from the known valour of
the lords and their strict justice. It was felt to be certain that those
who did evil would receive punishment without fail, and that neither
prayers nor bribes would avert it. At the same time, the Incas always
did good to those who were under their sway, and would not allow them to
be ill-treated, nor that too much tribute should be exacted from them.
Many who dwelt in a sterile country where they and their ancestors had
lived with difficulty, found that through the orders of the Ynca their
lands were made fertile and abundant, the things being supplied which
before were wanting. In other districts, where there was scarcity of
clothing, owing to the people having no flocks, orders were given that
cloth should be abundantly provided. In short, it will be understood
that as these lords knew how to enforce service and the payment of
tribute, so they provided for the maintenance of the people, and took
care that they should want for nothing. Through these good works, and
because the lord always gave women and rich gifts to his principal
vassals, he gained so much on their affections that he was most fondly
loved. I remember having seen old Indians with my own eyes, when I was
in sight of Cuzco, who gazed at the city and raised a great shout,
followed by tears of sorrow at the contemplation of the present state
of things, and the thought of what was passed, when for so many years
they had lords in that city, of their own people, who knew how to
receive their service and friendship after another fashion than that of
the Spaniards.
It was a custom and inviolable law among these lords of Cuzco, for their
grandeur and in recognition of the royal dignity, that when the king was
in his palace, or travelling, either with his army or without it, no
one, even if he should be the greatest and most powerful among the lords
of the empire, could speak to him or enter into his presence without
first removing his shoes, which they call _oxotas_,[97] and placing on
his shoulders a burden, with which to appear in the presence of the
lord. In the presence, no account was taken whether a man was great or
humble; but only that he should understand the recognition he was bound
to show to his lord. Having entered, he turned his back in the presence
of the lord, having first made the reverence, which they call
_mocha_;[98] and then he said what he had to say, or heard the command
he was to receive. This done, if he remained some days at court, or was
a person of importance, he did not again enter the presence with a load.
For it was always those who arrived first from the provinces, by
invitation or on other duty, who performed this ceremony on entering the
presence of the lord.