Iv

And then it was as if I talked Of gods and beauty, like a god; 'Mid Montezuma's priests who walked Obedient to my nod.

From Mexic levels breezes blew O'er green magueys; cacaö fields; I stood among caciques, a crew With plumes and golden shields.

In raiment made of humming-birds Brown slave-girls danced. All Anahuac Stood, grim with strange obsidian swords, Around the idol's rock.

And up the temple's winding stair Of pyramid we wound and went: The bloomed vanilla drenched the air With all its tropic scent.

Volcanoes walled us in: and I Walked, crowned with flaming cactus-flowers, Beneath the golden, Aztec sky, Lord of the living hours.

When, lo! five priests, who led me to A jasper stone of sacrifice!-- Then deep within my soul I knew That prideful moment's price.

A sixth priest, robed in cochineal, Received me at the altar's stone: I saw the flint-blade, sharp as steel, That in his high hand shone.

O God! to dream that they would bind-- With pomp and pageant of their love-- Me to the rock, and never blind Mine eyes to that above!

I felt the flint hack through my breast, And in my agony did raise Wild eyes, a little while to rest Upon their idol's face.

Just God! the priest tore out my heart, And held it, beating, to the sun-- Chanting--and from one burning part Great drops dripped, one by one.

Torn out, I felt my heart still beat, I felt it beat with pain divine; For, bleeding at the idol's feet, My heart was pressed to thine.