[Translation of the Nahuatl (right-hand column) by James Lockhart:]
all the building’s beams. Then there was an outcry. They said, “Oh Mexica, let everyone come running, it must be put out, [bring] your water jars!” But when they threw water on it, trying to extinguish it, it blew up all the more. It could not be put out; it burned entirely.
The third omen was that a temple was struck by lightning, hit by a thunderbolt. It was just a building of straw at the temple complex of Xiuhteuctli, called Tzonmolco. The reason it was taken for an omen was that it was not raining hard, just drizzling. It was said that it was struck when the sun was shining, nor was thunder heard.
The fourth omen was that while the sun was still out a comet fell, in three parts. It began off to the west and headed in the direction of the east, looking as if it were sprinkling glowing coals. It had a long tail, which reached a great distance. When it was seen, there was a great outcry, like the sound of rattles.
[Translation of the Spanish (left-hand column) by James Lockhart:]
water!" And when the water came, they threw it on the fire, but it did not go out; rather, it flamed up more, and thus it was all left in embers.
The third sign or omen was that a bolt of lightning struck the cu of Xiuhteuctli, god of fire, which was roofed with thatch; it was called Tzonmolco. They were shocked by it because there was no rain except a drizzle, and lightning does not usually strike when it rains in this fashion. Nor was there thunder, so that they do not know how it took fire.
The fourth sign or omen was that during the day, when the sun was out, a comet fell. Three stars appeared together, running along parallel, lit up very brightly and bearing large tails. They started to the west and ran toward the east; they went along casting off sparks. As soon as the people saw them, they began a great outcry; a huge noise sounded through the whole district.