rich champaign;
And sends her forth through history, so tame.
It is, her evil genius; but it is not Spain.

* * * * *

As Kohen prophesied, their race was run--
Their error cleaved upon them as a curse;
The fading phalanx of the Summer sun
Has crossed the borders of the universe.
We only catch the shadow of their flight;
They pass out with the sunset into night.

FOOTNOTES:

[D] Anahuac, the country dominated by the Aztecs at the time of the
conquest.

[E] "Mars or Mexitli." I have taken the easier of the names given to the
war-god. Huitzilopotchli or Mexitli both were used, the former more in
general use than the latter, at the time of the conquest.

[F] Huit-zilo-potch-li, the Aztec war-god.

[G] Quetzalcoatl, the god of the harvest, probably some ancient leader
deified. See Prescott.

[H] Tlappalan, the Elysian to which Quetzalcoatl passed, probably
referred to the chambers of the sun.

[I] Nez-a-hual-co-yotl, one of the famous kings of Tezcuco (a nation
allied to that of the Aztecs). Prescott enlarges on his character, truly
a wonderful one for the time and age.

[J] Montezuma, a corruption from the original Aztec, which was
Moctheuzoma.

[K] Nez-a-hual-pil-li, successor to Neza-hual-co-yotl, and a worthy one,
though not so gifted.

[L] Tecollas, Temples of worship.

[M] Caligula, a Roman Emperor whose name has become a synonym of crime.

[N] Courier, a courier came daily from the coast, and Couriers from
different parts of the Empire; their only script was the picture prints;
rude, it is true, and yet wonderful in conveying the different shades of
meaning.

[O] Montezuma's protest against human sacrifice though not literally
fact, so far as the historic record is concerned, is hazarded as not
inconsistent with his historic character.

[P] Tlalocan, Prescott has not left on record the name of the High
Priest, and the name given, I have thought in keeping with the Aztec
language.

[Q] Teuhtlile, the Embassador sent to meet Cortez. He was high in the
councils of the King.

[R] Malinche, Interpreter and Mistress of Cortez.

[S] Las Casas, a worthy Spanish Padre, who was constantly protesting
against the villanous conduct of the cavaliers. Prescott pays him a
glowing tribute.

[T] Te-noch-ti-tlan, the Aztec for the city of Mexico.

[U] Olmedo, a priest of that easy piety that