The square was adorned with rich hangings of great value and price, of gold, silk, and variegated cloths, so that one cannot describe so great a variety of colors, the curious adornments in the windows, the great beauty of the women, the richness of their ornaments and clothing, and the concourse of so many conspicuous people; for all the assembly appeared to be a priceless cluster of jewels, and everything by itself a precious gem set in the cluster.  And as the country contains so many and so beautiful women—­who have, as a rule, faces so angelic—­and since the festivities were of so great splendor, and for so great a personage, the like of which were never seen, they eclipsed everything else, and the whole scene formed a sight of beauty and an agreeable garden.  About three o’clock in the afternoon, a trumpet began to sound, immediately after which appeared a number of horsemen on fine horses caparisoned and equipped with many beautiful trappings, liveries, and wealth of bands, necklaces, plumes, jewels, and ornaments of gold, precious gems, enamel, and things of great rarity.  The ministers of justice followed, and the mace-bearers of the city, besides the magistrates and alcaldes-in-ordinary, who were then Doctor Juan Fernandez de Ledo—­a personage worthy of attaining to great heights because of his great modesty, learning, and capacity—­and Captain Miguel de Arnalto, an influential citizen, and a man of great virtue.  Shortly behind them came the governor’s guard, the royal Audiencia, and a number of pages and servants in beautiful and elegant livery.  After they had gone the round of the square, the royal Audiencia went to its place, which was located very near the city hall in which are the halls of the regidors and alcaldes, where there are very rich and beautiful balconies.

Each one having taken his seat, two companies of Spanish infantry came in through the square, and formed a guard, one company on one side, and the other on the other side.  The arquebusiers and musketeers, firing many shots, discharged their pieces many times against one another in a sham battle that was made, one troop from one company charging on one troop of the other, and the other company doing the same.  And as this city is a Salamanca [8] in arms, the soldiers are very skilful and well-disciplined.  As the master-of-camp, Don Geronimo de Silva, holds the soldiers under so good discipline, the militia in these regions is very efficient.  When troops have become habituated to work and application, they give great delight; and when the officers are firm, and represent splendor and gravity, they hold their subordinates well in restraint and submissive—­in which Scipio Africanus, Don Alonso, first king of Naples, and the Great Captain, [9] were marvels.  After having spent a little more than half an hour in the military exercise—­which caused great pleasure to the spectators, and aroused a furious courage in the ministers of Mars—­the soldiers began again to march, some on one side and some on another, passing before the governor and the Audiencia; while the alferezes lowered their banners in salute to their captain-general, and the captains made a profound bow and courtesy, which with the many gala dresses, scarfs, and plumes, made many foolish persons desirous of imitating them.