Conquest of Mexico
his valuable Muséo. It was subsequently incorporated in the extensive collection of documents made by father Manuel de la Vega, in Mexico, 1792. This magnificent collection was made in obedience to an enlightened order of the Spanish Government, "that all such MSS. as could be found in New Spain, fitted to illustrate the antiquities, geography, civil, ecclesiastical, and natural history of America, should be copied and transmitted to Madrid." This order was obeyed, and the result was a collection of thirty-two volumes in folio, which, amidst much that is trivial and of little worth, contains also a mass of original materials, of inestimable value to the historian of Mexico and of the various races who occupied the country of New Spain.]
Now would I sing, since time and place
Are mine,—and oh! with thee
May this my song obtain the grace
My purpose claims for me.
I wake these notes on song intent.
But call it rather a lament.
Do thou, beloved, now delight
In these my flowers pure and bright,
Rejoicing with thy friend;
Now let us banish pain and fear,
For, if our joys are measured here.
Life's sadness hath its end.
And I will strike, to aid my voice.
The deep, sonorous chord;
Thou, dancing, in these flowers rejoice
And feast Earth's mighty Lord;
Seize we the glories of to-day.
For mortal life fleets fast away.—
In Ocblehacan, all thine own,
Thy hand hath placed the noble throne,
Which thou hast richly dress'd;
From whence I argue that thy sway
Shall be augmented day by day.
In rising greatness bless'd.
Wise Oyoyotzin! prudent king!
Unrivalled Prince, and great!
Enjoy the fragrant flowers that spring
Around thy kingly state;
A day will come which shall destroy
Thy present bliss,—thy present joy,—
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