Page:Queen Moo's talisman; the fall of the Maya empire (IA queenmoostalisma00leplrich).djvu/64

 With Priestess Nicté, Móo was near the pyre,

To light the cedar logs with sacred fire.

Piled high were these, with odorous plants between;

And many lovely garlands too were seen.

The priests in flowing robes were stationed round:

By solemn rite the rank of each was bound.

First those in yellow clad, the sun-god's sheen;

Then soothing wisdom-ray, fair nature's green;

The next in line of blue robes made display,

Grief sanctified—the mourners sad array,

Beyond stood many others all in white;

And last, full armed as ready for the fight,

The orators of war, in gowns of red,—

Their ardent words to victory oft had led.

Long lance they bore, as on the battle field

Where glowed their eloquence—nor would one yield,

Except to Yum Cimil, but onward pressed

And dauntless to the last urged on the rest.

These now restrained the crowd that thronged the ground:

In that vast square no tearless eye was found.

Móo's sister Nicté, priestess of the Light,

Sustained the hapless Queen thro' funeral rite.

Coh's heart, concealed within a close shut urn,

Was near the corpse, to char while that should burn.

That flames might higher leap and quick consume,

Fine scented oils, the hot air to perfume,