Читать книгу Ahuitzotl - Herb Allenger - Страница 9

PART 1

THE DEATH OF A KING

“Most mighty lord and brave youth; you have inherited the royal seat, of very rich and fine feathers, and the hall of precious stones that the God Quetzalcoatl, great Topiltzin, and the wonderful and glorious Huitzilopochtli have left behind them. This royal throne is only lent to you, and not for ever but for a short while only. The brave rulers who preceded you have exalted and extended this realm, more especially your grandfather, great Motecuhzoma, of high and revered memory, who, in his long life, raised it to a high pitch of glory such as it had never before attained.

“Therefore, my lord, take care not to be of faint heart. Look carefully to what you do. Take heed for the orphan and for the widow, for the aged who can work no longer, because these are the plumes, the eyelashes, and the eye-brows of Huitzilopochtli. Most especially you must care for the eagles and the tigers, those brave and valiant men, who act as a rampart of defense for you and your realm, and who extend its boundaries by the shedding of their blood. With these words, my lord, I end my speech.”

-Nezahualpilli of Texcoco at the appointment of Tizoc as Revered Speaker*