With tears and with prayers to thee he took up
his load, with happiness he laid it down. Where his forefathers went,
thither he has followed, nor can he return to us. Our fire is an ash and
our lamp is darkness. Those who wore his purple before him bequeathed to
him the intolerable weight of rule, and he in his turn bequeaths it to
another. Truly, he should give thee praise, thou king of kings, master
of the stars, that standest alone, who hast lifted from his shoulders so
great a burden, and from his brow this crown of woes, paying him peace
for war and rest for labour.
'O god our hope, choose now a servant to succeed him, a man after thine
own heart, who shall not fear nor falter, who shall toil and not be
weary, who shall lead thy people as a mother leads her children. Lord of
lords, give grace to Guatemoc thy creature, who is our choice. Seal him
to thy service, and as thy priest let him sit upon thy earthly throne
for his life days. Let thy foes become his footstool, let him exalt thy
glory, proclaim thy worship, and protect thy kingdom. Thus have I prayed
to thee in the name of the nation. O god, thy will be done!'
When the high priest had made an end of his prayer, the first of the
four great electors rose, saying:
'Guatemoc, in the name of god and with the voice of the people of
Anahuac, we summon you to the throne of Anahuac.
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