That eloquent passion in a blind mar's face. If that to that acknowledged argument Reply could be devised. But they themselves, And when he gather'd up his strength to speak, Bury the sword. Tezozomoc replied, This thing is new, and in the land till now Unheard:.. what marvel, therefore, if we find • No ready answer? Let our Lord the King Do that which seemeth best. Yuhidthiton, Chief of the Chiefs of Aztlan, next arose. To more attentive silence nush'd the hall Of council. When the Wise Man spake, quoth he, I ask'd of mine own heart if it were so, With that an uproar of assent arose But when Coanocotzin raised his hand, Then said the Sovereign, Hear, O Aztecas, No blood shall flow in sacrifice; the rites Shall all be pure, such as the blind Old Man, Whom God hath taught, will teach. This ye have will'd; And therefore it shall be! The King hath said! Like thunder the collected voice replied: Let it be so ! Lord of the Ocean, then Nor oath, nor ceremony, I replied, O King, is needful. To his own good word Oaths will not curb the wicked. Here we stand The grave was dug; Coanocotzin laid His weapon in the earth; Erillyab's son, Young Amalahta, for the Hoamen, laid His hatchet there; and there I laid the sword. Here let me end. What follow'd was the work Of peace, no theme for story; how we fix'd Our sojourn in the hills, and sow'd our fields, And, day by day, saw all things prospering. Thence have I come, Goervyl, to announce The tidings of my happy enterprise ; There I return, to take thee to our home. I love my native land; with as true love As ever yet did warm a British heart, Love I the green fields of the beautiful Isle, My father's heritage! But far away, Where nature's booner hand has blest the earth, My lot hath been assign'd; beyond the seas Madoc hath found his home; beyond the seas A country for his children hath he chosen, A land wherein their portion may be peace. IX. EMMA. BUT while Aberfraw echoed to the sounds Of merriment and music, Madoc's heart Longer I must not linger here, to pass I go to tell the tidings of success, And seek new comrades. What if it should chance Hereafter will be time enow for this, The King replied; thy easy nature sees not, How, if the traitors for thy banner send Their bidding round, in open war against me Their own would soon be spread. I charge thee, Madoe, Neither to see nor aid these fugitives, The shame of Owen's blood. Sullen he spake, And turn'd away; nor farther commune now The gentle maid. Goervyl saw what thoughts I did but ask him little,.. did but say, His fear and jealousy might well have ceased, And did the King refuse? Quoth Emma; I will plead for them, quoth she, With dutiful warmth and zeal will plead for them; And surely David will not say me nay. O sister! cried Goervyl, tempt him not! Sister, you know him not! Alas, to touch That perilous theme is, even in Madoc here, A perilous folly... Sister, tempt him not! You do not know the King! But then a fear Fled to the cheek of Emma, and her eye, Quickening with wonder, turn'd toward the Prince, As if expecting that his manly mind Would mould Goervyl's meaning to a shape Less fearful, would interpret and amend |