Page:Queen Moo's talisman; the fall of the Maya empire (IA queenmoostalisma00leplrich).djvu/38

 'Twas true indeed, for tranquilly it stayed

Above the burning coal, quite undismayed;

While such the heat endured that soon its shell

O'erspread became with misty lines. To spell

What weighty meaning auspice might conceal

The seer watched, its purport to reveal.

What promised he—of what did he then warn—

Could she evade the fate foretold that morn?

For house of Can he prophesied defeat,

Through dark revenge its overthrow complete;

By jealousy brought on, and Móo its source,

Tho' blameless she, herself bereft of force.

Then back to Cay's sanctum both returned,

Móo's heart oppressed by much that she had learned.

This mood the Sage rebuked and bade her hear

His words: "Dear child, thy path lies straight and clear;

Whate'er may hap, no thought of wrath outsend;

This breedeth ill and nothing doth amend.

In spite of many wrongs thou may'st endure,

Of fame this oracle doth thee assure.

'Twould seem a jest to bid thee do aright,

For man, alas! is in a woful plight!

He gropes along in quest of Wisdom's ray

And, ever seeking, often goes astray.

In noble deeds exert thy human might;

Let acts of kindness be thy best delight.