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

								

Why tarry here? My soul entreats release!
I too will sleep on Death’s soft couch of peace.”
From thought so weak, by Nicté she was freed
And tottering reason saved from foolish deed.


Then came the date of Mu, the thirteenth day,
When hearts of noble men were laid away.
Where sacred fire had liberated Coh,
The people once again were lost in woe.


Beneath the earth, shut close in virgin urn,
Wherein it safe would bide the soul’s return,
The heart of hero slain was put to rest
By those who in its love were more than blest.
Before the marble lid closed o’er the urn,
Upon that heart for which she’d ever yearn
The widowed Queen with loving homage laid
Her Talisman, at Cay’s order made;
By his strong will invested for her sake
With qualities she ever might partake.


Thus from the day this gift became her own,
When she’d been warned its loss might her dethrone,
The gem had nestled close about her heart.
But now, most eager she with this to part;
For Cay had affirmed its force could bind
Two souls thro’ time, if she the way would find.
Coh gone, could Móo rejoice on sovereign throne?
Ah no! far rather than a Queen alone,
A fugitive she’d be in boundless space,
Assured she would at last behold his face.


When talisman touched heart, a great calm fell
O’er Móo; to think they would together dwell
Once more, they two, within her mind distilled
A solace sweet that all her being filled.
Should earth recall them, as in time it must,
Each would the other seek in perfect trust;
From spheres of bliss, if parted, they would strive
To meet again and keep love’s pain alive.


Close by the urn a counterpart of Coh
Was set; as long as that endured below,
Desiring thus, he could to earth return
If e’er his soul for mortal life should yearn.
Walled close around, cut from a solid block,
That statue could the fleeting ages mock.
Secure from tempest and from mortal eyes,
This form Coh’s will alone might bid arise.
The pose it had been given showed regal state,
The boundary lines of Maya Empire great;
Where Cans, for justice famed, long ruled; rich land
Of men renowned for actions brave and grand.
Now on the spot a monument was reared,
On four sides marble steps; and there appeared
The emblems royal carved in fine white stone;
A leopard crowning all, Coh’s name made known.


The tomb complete, Móo likewise built a shrine
In honor of the Prince now hailed divine.
Of grand proportions stood that edifice;
No charm that art could lend would one there miss.
Here faithful hearts might manes sometimes greet,
And on the altar lay an offering meet.
On walls within the artist toiled amain,
Portraying there the life of chieftain slain.
On outer wall was graved a loving thought—
Her Consort’s mem’ry thus the Queen besought:
“Cay witness beareth—earnestly doth Móo