Page:Queen Moo's talisman; the fall of the Maya empire (IA queenmoostalisma00leplrich).djvu/37

An armadillo thence out crept, nor stayed
Till at her feet, as if it thus obeyed
A force unseen or was by fetter bound;
But none appeared upon that hallowed ground.
The aged man this creature gently placed
Above a brasier which the Princess faced;
As in its depth clear-burning charcoal lay,
With pity moved she cried aloud—"Nay! nay!"
But he—"Think not that I would torture this
Or aught that is; could I then hope for bliss?
Each being in Creation works its way
To perfect rest, all must this law obey.
From Ku all emanate, are thence divine;
Eternal law ordaineth all combine
To aid; each one of us must give and take.
This creature, serving us, will progress make,
And we are lifted up in reaching down;
Thus by endeavor we ourselves may crown.
Learn then, this little friend shall nothing feel,
Experience shall to thee a truth reveal.
Thy slender fingers I but touch, and lo!
All feeling goes, no heat therein doth glow.
Now move thy hand, 'tis free again dost find;
This holy law to suffering flesh is kind;
Who knoweth this, sensation can enchain,
And armadillo shall not suffer pain."