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Twenty-ninth Chapter. Here is related how the plague came, named smallpox, of which the
natives died, when the Spaniards set forth from Mexico.
Inic cempoalli on Chicunahui capitulo. uncan mitoa in quenin hualla Totomoniztli, inic micque Nica Tlaca: in itoca huei cavatl, in iquac oquizque Espanoles in Mexico.
And even before the Spaniards had risen against us, a pestilence first came to be prevalent: the smallpox.
It was the month of Tepeilhuitl when it began, and it spread over the people as great destruction. Some it quite covered
with pustules on all parts--their faces, their heads, their breasts, etc. There was great havoc. Very many died
of it. They could not walk; they only lay in their resting places and beds. They could not move; they could not
stir; they could not change position, nor lie on one side, nor face down, nor on their backs. And if they stirred, much
did they cry out. Great was its destruction. Covered, mantled with pustules, very many people died of them.
And very many starved; there was death from hunger, for none could take care of the sick; nothing could be done for them.
And on some the pustules were widely seperated; they suffered not greatly, neither did many of them die.
Yet many people were marred by them on their faces; one's face or nose was pitted. Some lost their eyes; they were blinded.
At this time, this pestilence prevailed sixty days, sixty day signs. When it left, when it abated,
where there was recovery and the return of life, the plague had already moved toward Chalco, whereby many were disabled--not,
however, completely crippled. When it came to be prevalent, it was the month of Teotl eco. And when it went, weakened,
it was Panquetzaliztli. Then the Mexicans, the chieftains, could revive.
And after this, then the Spaniards came; they marched from Texcoco. By way of Quauhtitlan they set
out, and quartered themselves at Tlacopan. There then the task was divided; their routes were there separated.
Pedro de Alvarado's charge became the road leading into Tlatilulco. And the Marquis went to and established quarters
at Coyoacan, and it be came the Marquis' charge--as well as the road from Acachinanco which led into Tenochtitlan; for the
Marquis knew that those of Tenochtitlan were great warriors, great chieftains.
And at Nextlatilco, or Iliacac, there in truth first came the fighting when they quickly came to and reached
Nonoalco. The chieftains came pursuing them. None of the Mexicans died. Then the Spaniards turned back.
The chieftains, who fought valiantly by boat, the warboatmen, shot darts at them. Their darts rained upon the Spaniards.
They then entered Nonoalco. And the Marquis thereupon threw himself upon those of Tenochtitlan; he proceeded along the
Acachinanco road. Many times, in truth, there was battle, and the Mexicans contended against them.
[Florentine Codex, Book 12.]
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