Page:Queen Moo's talisman; the fall of the Maya empire (IA queenmoostalisma00leplrich).djvu/77

 But jailers were by faithful friends embroiled;

At heavy cost Prince Aac's designs they foiled.

Success was theirs, and guarding her with care,

They gained the coast, great oceans storms to dare.

"Dear native land, where tender mem'ries cling,

No other spot such happy years can bring!"

Thus to himself each, silent, said. The past

Knew no appeal; the lot of all was cast;

The future might, perchance, hold something yet.

And when the sun arose, the sails were set,

That all might find on distant, foreign shore,

New homes, where peace would bless their days once more.

Devoted subjects they, renouncing all

To rescue captive Queen, whose complete fall

From sovereign power forbade a hope of gain;

Their only wish to save her further pain.

Thus they with her now fled from Aac's mad hate,

Untouched by fear of what might them await.

Afar the voyagers went from place to place,

And stayed at length where men of Maya race—

Bold navigators they for centuries back—

Had made a home, and nothing there could lack.