CHAPTER VIII.
GUATAMOZIN AND MUALOX.
Up the steps of the old Cu of Quetzal', early in the evening of thebanquet, went Guatamozin unattended. As the royal interdiction restedupon his coming to the capital, he was muffled in a priestly garb, whichhid his face and person, but could not all disguise the stately bearingthat so distinguished him. Climbing the steps slowly, and withouthalting at the top to note the signs of the city, all astir with life,he crossed the _azoteas_, entered the chamber most sanctified by thepresence of the god, and before the image bowed awhile in prayer. SoonMualox came in.
"Ask anything that is not evil, O best beloved of Quetzal', and it shallbe granted," said the paba, solemnly, laying a hand upon the visitor'sshoulder. "I knew you were coming; I saw you on the lake. Arise, myson."
Guatamozin stood up, and flung back his hood.
"The house is holy, Mualox, and I have come to speak of the things oflife that have little to do with religion."
"That is not possible. Everything has to do with life, which has all todo with heaven. Speak out. This presence will keep you wise; if yourthoughts be of wrong, it is not likely you will give them speech in thevery ear of Quetzal'."
Slowly the 'tzin then said,--
"Thanks, father. In what I have to say, I will be brief, and endeavornot to forget the presence. You love me, and I am come for counsel. Youknow how often those most discreet in the affairs of others are foolishin what concerns themselves. Long time ago you taught me the importanceof knowledge; how it was the divine secret of happiness, and strongerthan a spear to win victories, and better in danger than a shield seventimes quilted. Now I have come to say that my habits of study havebrought evil upon me; out of the solitude in which I was toiling to layup a great knowledge, a misfortune has arisen, father to my ruin. Mystay at home has been misconstrued. Enemies have said I loved books lessthan power; they charge that in the quiet of my gardens I have beentaking council of my ambition, which nothing satisfies but the throne;and so they have estranged from me the love of the king. Here againsthis order, forbidden the city,"--and as he spoke he raised his headproudly,--"forbidden the city, behold me, paba, a banished man!"
Mualox smiled, and grim satisfaction was in the smile.
"If you seek sympathy," he said, "the errand is fruitless. I have nosorrow for what you call your misfortune."
"Let me understand you, father."
"I repeat, I have no sorrow for you. Why should I? I see you as youshould see yourself. You confirm the lessons of which you complain. Notvainly that you wrought in solitude for knowledge, which, while I knewit would make you a mark for even kingly envy, I also intended shouldmake you superior to misfortunes and kings. Understand you now? Whatmatters that you are maligned? What is banishment? They only liken youthe more to Quetzal', whose coming triumph,--heed me well, O'tzin,--whose coming triumph shall be your triumph."
The look and voice of the holy man were those of one with authority.
"For this time," he continued, "and others like it, yet to come, Ithought to arm your soul with a strong intelligence. Your life is to bea battle against evil; fail not yourself in the beginning. Success willbe equal to your wisdom and courage. But your story was not all told."
The 'tzin's face flushed, and he replied, with some faltering,--
"You have known and encouraged the love I bear the princess Tula, andcounted on it as the means of some great fortune in store for me. Yet,in part at least, I am banished on that account. O Mualox, the banquetwhich the king holds to-night is to make public the betrothal of Tula toIztlil', the Tezcucan!"
"Well, what do you intend?"
"Nothing. Had the trouble been a friend's, I might have advised him; butbeing my own, I have no confidence in myself. I repose on yourdiscretion and friendship."
Mualox softened his manner, and said, pleasantly at first, "O 'tzin, ishumanity all frailty? Must chief and philosopher bow to the passion,like a slave or a dealer in wares?" Suddenly he became serious; his eyesshone full of the magnetism he used so often and so well. "CanGuatamozin find nothing higher to occupy his mind than a trouble born ofa silly love? Unmanned by such a trifle? Arouse! Ponder the mightierinterests in peril! What is a woman, with all a lover's gild about her,to the nation?"
"The nation?" repeated the 'tzin, slowly.
The paba looked reverently up to the idol. "I have withdrawn from theworld, I live but for Quetzal' and Anahuac. O, generously has the godrepaid me! He has given me to look out upon the future; all that is tocome affecting my country he has shown me." Turning to the 'tzin again,he said with emphasis, "I could tell marvels,--let this content you:words cannot paint the danger impending over our country, over Anahuac,the beautiful and beloved; her existence, and the glory and power thatmake her so worthy love like ours, are linked to your action. Your fate,O 'tzin, and hers, and that of the many nations, are one and the same.Accept the words as a prophecy; wear them in memory; and when, as now,you are moved by a trifling fear or anger, they should and will keep youfrom shame and folly."
Both then became silent. The paba might have been observing the eventsof the future, as, one by one, they rose and passed before hisabstracted vision. Certain it was, with the thoughts of the warriorthere mixed an ambition no longer selfish, but all his country's.
Mualox finally concluded. "The future belongs to the gods; only thepresent is ours. Of that let us think. Admit your troubles worthyvengeance: dare you tell me what you thought of doing? My son, why areyou here?"
"Does my father seek to mortify me?"
"Would the 'tzin have me encourage folly, if not worse? And that in thepresence of my god and his?"
"Speak plainly, Mualox."
"So I will. Obey the king. Go not to the palace to-night. If the thoughtof giving the woman to another is so hard, could you endure the sight?Think: if present, what could you do to prevent the betrothal?"
A savage anger flashed from the 'tzin's face, and he answered, "Whatcould I? Slay the Tezcucan on the step of the throne, though I died!"
"It would come to that. And Anahuac! What then of her?" said Mualox, ina voice of exceeding sorrow.
The love the warrior bore his country at that moment surpassed allothers, and his rage passed away.
"True, most true! If it should be as you say, that my destiny--"
"If! O 'tzin, if you live! If Anahuac lives! If there are gods!--"
"Enough, Mualox! I know what you would say. Content you; I give you allfaith. The wrong that tortures me is not altogether that the woman is tobe given to another; her memory I could pluck from my heart as a featherfrom my helm. If that were all, I could curse the fate, and submit; butthere is more: for the sake of a cowardly policy I have been put toshame; treachery and treason have been crowned, loyalty and blooddisgraced. Hear me, father! After the decree of interdiction was servedupon me, I ventured to send a messenger to the king, and he was spurnedfrom the palace. Next went the lord Cuitlahua, uncle of mine, and truelover of Anahuac; he was forbidden the mention of my name. I am notwithdrawn from the world; my pride will not down at a word; so wronged,I cannot reason; therefore I am here."
"And the coming is a breach of duty; the risk is great. Return toIztapalapan before the midnight is out. And I,--but you do not know, myson, what a fortune has befallen me." The paba smiled faintly. "I havebeen promoted to the palace; I am a councillor at the royal table."
"A councillor! You, father?"
The good man's face grew serious again. "I accepted the appointment,thinking good might result. But, alas! the hope was vain. Montezuma,once so wise, is past counsel. He will take no guidance. And what avanity! O 'tzin, the asking me to the palace was itself a crime, sinceit was to make me a weapon in his hand with which to resist the holyQuetzal'. As though I could not see the design!"
He laughed scornfully, and then said, "But be not detained, my son. WhatI can, I will do for you; at the council-table, and elsewhere, asopportunity may off
er, I will exert my influence for your restoration tothe city and palace. Go now. Farewell; peace be with you. To-morrow Iwill send you tidings."
Thereupon he went out of the tower, and down into the temple.