light;
_These_ but the groping nomads of old Shem,
Lost in the meshes, of a rayless night.
_Those_, neath the palm of Earth's philosophy;
_These_ on the torchless desert, not a star
To guide them through life's potent mystery;
_Those_ bringing all the wisdom from afar,
Though Montezuma's sins had cried to Heaven
In a far greater stress; yet what were they,
Paling his cruelties, and still forgiven,
To pour out greater vials the next day?
O Spain! you lent the sanction of your name,
To cover up the foulest deed of time;
Upon your skirt is fastened this great shame,
And nation never wore the brand of a more causeless crime.

DEATH OF MONTEZUMA.

One sad, sad task, awaits my faltering pen,
And I have done. One flower upon _his_ grave,
Who in his dying could, alas! not save
His country from the vulturous maw of men.
They played upon the monarch with their arts,
Till he became a captive in their hands;
It was consistent with their _Christian_ hearts
That their good host should follow their commands.
They said their _Christian_ lord across the sea
Must have his treasure for their _Christian_ use.
All this was bitter, yet, he did agree,
And bent a patient knee to their abuse.

They struck their temples, and the red, right hand
Of Aztlan rose upon them. They could bear
To see their monarch littled, and their land
Made tribute to a stranger; but, beware
Stern warriors of Castile! touch not their gods.
The hearts of Aztlan are but human hearts,
And at some shrine the whole creation nods;
Invade the sanctum, and the whole man starts.
Las Casas[S] would have won them with his love--
The potent key that opens every gate.
Let not deceit claim sanction from above;
It may assist upon the wheels of fate,
But what Spain offered through such legatees
Was worse than powder on the bated flame.
To gather fruit from such ill-freighted trees,
Was worse than stealing nightmare from a dream.

In Christ's good name they stole the monarch's gold;
They changed the na