He thought a while, and I heard him say: 'The blemishes do not come from within the body, nor were they upon it at birth, but have been inflicted by the violence of man and beast.' Then the priests consulted together again, and presently their leader spoke some words into the ear of Montezuma.

He nodded, and rising from his throne, came towards me who stood naked and shivering before him, for the air of Mexico is keen.

As he advanced he loosed a chain of emeralds and gold that hung about his neck, and unclasped the royal cloak from his shoulders.

Then with his own hand, he put the chain about my throat, and the cloak upon my shoulders, and having humbly bent the knee before me as though in adoration, he cast his arms about me and embraced me.
'Hail! most blessed,' he said, 'divine son of Quetzal, holder of the spirit of Tezcat, Soul of the World, Creator of the World.

What have we done that you should honour us thus with your presence for a season?
What can we do to pay the honour back?
You created us and all this country; behold! while you tarry with us, it is yours and we are nothing but your servants.