Page:Queen Moo's talisman; the fall of the Maya empire (IA queenmoostalisma00leplrich).djvu/61

With crime as infamous ourselves to brand—
Let not two fratricides accurse the land!
Our impulse to avenge must be suppressed;
Nor may our soul by anger be possessed.
Let Aac himself convict. Do thou, I pray,
Request his presence here—he'll quick obey."

Aac's handsome face wore mask of grief until
The High Priest sternly thus expressed his will:
"Our dauntless Coh is slain by one unknown;
The coward's blood for this crime should atone.
The Maya nation mourns—be thine the task
To see the culprit found—'tis all we ask."

Aac's features changed, with ardor he exclaimed—
"Not so! no blameless man shall be defamed
For what my passion wrought—all mine the guilt!
No clemency beg I—do as thou wilt."

There spake Aac's better self; just thought inbred
Outbreathed. With pity touched, Móo's loathing fled.
Nor could a child of Can know aught of fear;
Aac boldly stood, the Pontiffs word to hear.

"Thou shalt live on; hast made thyself accurst!
Not thus will we—let fools for vengeance thirst.
From Chicħen, go! thy face we would not see.
An edict from our hand shall safeguard thee;
For, mark this well, the people soon must know
Prince Aac alone hath dared to deal the blow.