So at last I spoke and said it was my bidding that I should be suffered
to rest a while, till a feast was prepared for me in the apartments of
Guatemoc the prince, for there I hoped to meet Otomie.
My tutors and the nobles who attended me answered that Montezuma my
servant had trusted that I would feast with him that night. Still my
command should be done. Then they left me, saying that they would come
again in an hour to lead me to the banquet. Now I threw off the emblems
of my godhead and cast myself down on cushions to rest and think, and a
certain exultation took possession of me, for was I not a god, and had I
not power almost absolute? Still being of a cautious mind I wondered why
I was a god, and how long my power would last.
Before the hour had gone by, pages and nobles entered, bearing new robes
which were put upon my body and fresh flowers to crown my head, and I
was led away to the apartments of Guatemoc, fair women going before me
who played upon instruments of music.
Here Guatemoc the prince waited to receive me, which he did as though
I, his captive and companion, was the first of kings. And yet I thought
that I saw merriment in his eye, mingled with sorrow. Bending forward I
spoke to him in a whisper:
'What does all this mean, prince?' I said. 'Am I befooled, or am I
indeed a god?'
'Hush!' he answered, bowing low and speaking beneath his breath.
Pages:
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226