Queen Moo's Talisman: The Fall of the Maya Empire

								

A brother-prince by law must consort be;
In choice of one the future Queen was free.
And ’twas for Coh alone her own heart yearned;
Aac seeing this with jealous anger burned.
Those brothers fought as strangers cruel might;
Both wounded fell, a rueful, horrid sight!


Coh far and wide for valiant deeds was known;
The Princess Móo her courage oft had shown;
That they should mated be was right and just;
Thus by the Can, who in them put full trust,
Their nuptials sanctioned were, and many a day,
On pleasure bent, the people had their way;
For Can regaled them all with lavish grant.
At break of day was heard the deep-toned chant:



         Lord of day we are Thine!

         On our path deign to shine—

                      Holy Light!

         Mortals glory in Thy might.

         When night flees before Thy ray

         We our voices lift, and pray—

                      Great Light!


Scarce rose the sun when crowds on sport intent,
From every door in quest of pleasure went;
All left their homes the time to pass away,
And on the air rang many a joyous lay
Of boy and girl who simple frolic sought,
And gaily sang with little care or thought.



        Hear life’s jingle, come along!

        All should mingle with the throng;

        Clasp my hand, dear, haste with me—

        Say not nay, for I love thee!

                    Quit thy nonsense or begone!

                    I am not thus lightly won.

        Let’s go onward to the dance,

        Give me but one tender glance!

                    Cease thy teasing, I’ll not go!

                    ’Tis decided, thou must know.

        Hear life’s jingle! join the throng;

        Youth and pleasure stay not long.


With shades of eve came other dancers gay,
Their smiles enticing young and old away;
As in and out about the streets they roamed,
They joked and sang while many a goblet foamed:



      On our dress of spotless white

      We are wreathing garlands bright;

          And will sing, kiss, sip,

          With laughing, ruddy, lip,

      Far away into the night.



      Days of gladness soon take flight,

      Love’s sweet nectar do not slight

          Let us sing, kiss, sip,

          And light-hearted gaily trip,

      While our vows we once more plight.


And well they did to quaff the honeyed cup—
Why keep the mind with bitter thoughts filled up,—
The watchful gods no pity ever take
On those who sullen gloom will not forsake;
But on bright smiles, reflecting cheerful heart,
Frown not, e’en if gay Folly play a part.


O beauteous night! when lingering footfall strayed,
And stars reflected seemed where firefly played,
Each leaflet murmured lover’s tenderness;
Soul’s ecstasy was pure and fathomless.
O mystic Love! to every trivial thing
A new and holy charm dost ever bring,
With light and joy, to all touched by thy ray
Creation glows for him who feels thy sway.