ow you have the
person, the image, the conversation and the communion of our lord god. He
speaks inside of you and instructs you and lets himself be heard through
your mouth--his tongue is your tongue, and your face is his face ... he has
adorned you with his authority and has given you fangs and claws so that
you should be feared and reverenced ..." (Sahagun, book VI, chap. 10).

The foregoing figure of speech in which fangs and claws are alluded to as
symbols of fear-inspiring power affords as valuable an insight into the
native modes of thought and expression as do the similes employed in the
following address to the newly-elected ruler by the spokesman of his
vassals.

"Oh lord! may you live many years to fill your office prosperously; submit
your shoulders to the very heavy and troublesome load; extend your wings
and breast as a shelter to your subjects whom you have to carry as a load.
Oh, lord! let your town and vassals enter under your shadow, for you are
[unto them] like the tree named puchotl or aueuetl, which casts a great
circle or wheel of shade, under which many are gathered in shelter" (_op.
cit._ book VI, chap. II).

The admonition also addressed to the ruler, "Never to laugh and joke again
as he had done previously to his election, and to assume the heart of an
old, grave and severe man," explains the true significance of the name of
Montezuma or Mo-tecuh-zoma; which was an honorific title literally
meaning, "our angry or wrathy [looking] lord."

Whilst the above data establish beyond a doubt that the Mexican
Quetzalcoatl was regarded as the visible representative of the celestial
ruler of the universe and that divine honors were voluntarily accorded to
him, it is interesting to read Montezuma's explanation to Cortes
concerning this question. The latter writes: "seated on a raised seat
Montezuma discoursed as follows: ... 'I know that you have been told by my
enemies that I am, or have made myself a god.'... Raising his robes he
showed me his body saying: 'Here you see that I am made of flesh and bone,
like yourself or like any one, and that I am mortal and tangible.'
Grasping his arms and his body with his hands he continued: 'see how they
have like to you.' "... (Historia, Hernan Cortes, ed. Lorenzana, p. 82).
Better than all dissertations, the above words convey an idea of the naif
simplicity of the man who uttered them.

Referring the reader to Mr. Ad. Bandelier's study, "On the social
organiza