218 



new city, and expires on the fatal stone placed 

 at the foot of the idol. 



The circumstances of the third sacrifice were 

 still more tragic. Peace is reestablished ap- 

 parently between the Aztecks, and the inha- 

 bitants of Colhuacan : nevertheless the priests 

 of Mexitli cannot conquer their hatred against 

 a neighbouring nation, that had enslaved them : 

 they meditate atrocious vengeance ; they per- 

 suade the King of Colhuacan to entrust them 

 with his only daughter, to be brought up in the 

 temple of Mexitli, where, after her death, she 

 should be worshiped as the mother of this pro- 

 tecting divinity of the Aztecks ; adding, that 

 it was the idol himself, who declared his will 

 by their mouths. The credulous king accom- 

 panies his daughter ; he leads her into the dark 

 recess of the temple : there the priests separate 

 the father from the child ; a tumult is heard in 

 the sanctuary ; the unfortunate king does not 

 distinguish the groans of his expiring daugh- 

 ter ; a censer is placed in his hand ; and a few 

 moments after, he is ordered to light the copal. 

 By the pale glare of the rising flame he be- 

 holds his child bound to a pillar, her bosom 

 mangled, motionless, and robbed of life. De- 

 spair deprived him of the use of reason for 

 the remainder of his days ; he was unable to 

 avenge himself, and the Colhuans dared not 



