Guards: ‘They shall surely die, my Lord.’
Cipriano: ‘Yet my hand has touched the hand of Quetzalcoatl, and among the black leaves one sprung green, with the colour of Malintzi.’
An attendant came and lifted Cipriano’s serape over his head, leaving his body bare to the waist. The guards likewise took off their serapes.
Cipriano lifted up his fist, in which he held a little tuft of black feathers, or leaves.
Then he said slowly:
Huitzilopochtli gives the black blade of death.
Take it bravely.
Take death bravely.
Go bravely across the border, admitting your mistake.
Determine to go on and on, till you enter the Morning Star.
Quetzalcoatl will show you the way.
Malintzi of the green dress will open the door.
In the fountain you will lie down.
If you reach the fountain, and lie dow
