And all the while the crimson light gleamed and sparkled in the east
like some monstrous and unnatural dawn, while the temple of Quetzal
burned fiercely in the city beneath.
Now, I turned to the princess Otomie, who had stood by my side
throughout, overcome with wonder and trembling.
'Did I not say that this country was accursed, princess of the Otomie?'
'You said it, Teule,' she answered, 'and it is accursed.'
Then we went into the palace, and even in this hour of fear, after me
came the minstrels as before.
CHAPTER XVII
THE ARISING OF PAPANTZIN
On the morrow Papantzin died, and was buried with great pomp that
same evening in the burial-ground at Chapoltepec, by the side of the
emperor's royal ancestors. But, as will be seen, she was not content
with their company. On that day also, I learned that to be a god is not
all pleasure, since it was expected of me that I must master various
arts, and chiefly the horrid art of music, to which I never had any
desire. Still my own wishes were not allowed to weigh in the matter,
for there came to me tutors, aged men who might have found better
employment, to instruct me in the use of the lute, and on this
instrument I must learn to strum. Others there were also, who taught me
letters, poetry, and art, as they were understood among the Aztecs, and
all this knowledge I was glad of.
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