Page:Queen Moo's talisman; the fall of the Maya empire (IA queenmoostalisma00leplrich).djvu/57

 Then fiercely battled in Móo's breast

Wild rage and grief, while he obeyed her hest.

Scarce gone the man, when doubt brought some relief—

He must be mad! Allured by this belief

She fixed her gaze on Hope's illusive beam—

"Untrue the tale! a frightful, ghastly dream!

He dead! Impossible! Sore wounded, yes,

As oft; his voice would ease her keen distress.

The valiant Coh could never vanquished be,

Victorious from every fight came he."

Thus to herself, forbidding other thought,

And from her palace rushed, not caring aught

For those who would detain her steps, she fled

To meet the Prince; her servitors she led.

He came surrounded by a mighty crowd.

"Make way for us!" the Queen's men cried aloud—

"The Queen is here!" Her breath was all but spent.

The bearers stopped; with cries the air was rent.

Then bending low, her arms about him flung,

She gasped! To his, cold set, her hot lips clung.

Beneath an arch of warriors' shields upraised,

She saw, she felt; in death Coh's eyes were glazed.

Ah! woful sight! 'twas more than Móo could bear—

She fell, unconscious of the tender care

On her bestowed, as homeward borne apace;

Far happier had she been in Death's embrace.