The Bride of Huitzil—An Aztec Legend

The Bride of Huitzil—An Aztec Legend

In Anahuac there reigned a king Some fifty summers old, The bloody darling of his gods, Who sent him luck and gold And captives from a thousand fights, And victory in each war; No mercy kept within his heart He trusted in his star. But doubts began to sap his mind, For he was growing old. The gods he feared might turn unkind; He gave them plundered gold And hung their images with hearts Like roses on a bride, And all the young slaves from the marts On Huitzil's altars died.[1] The priests got everything they sought. They said the gods were wroth; They had the rolls of tribute brought Chose bales of twisted cloth, And cloaks of richest feather-work, And opals set in gilt, And many a keen obsidian knife With carved and curious hilt, And pearls for which their wives would quarrel, And bags of cochineal, And carefully matched and scarlet coral, And chests of yellow meal, And rainbow skins of quetzal birds, Lip jewels, and each a ring; And all they gave was doubtful words No comfort to the king. Huitzil, they said, was sorely vexed; Tlaloc would send no rain; The more they kept the king perplexed The more they had to gain. "Gold I have given," said the king, "And victims for the feasts; What more is there that I can bring?" "Bring beauty!" said the priests. "Send runners swift to each cacique[2] With scrolls of your command; In hut and palace bid them seek Fair virgins through the land; Then bring them here and choose the maid Who most shall please your eyes, And have her as your bride arrayed, And led to sacrifice." ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 66131
Author: Allen, Hervey
Release Date: Aug 24, 2021
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Illustrator: Wall, Bernhardt, 1872-1956