218 
new citjr, 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 
/ 
