Alas, we have none better to offer you, and it is our hope that when it pleases you to pass hence you will think kindly of the women of this land, and from on high bless them with your blessing, because your memory of these who were called your wives on earth is pleasant.' The voice paused, then spoke again: 'Women, in your own divine names of Xochi, Xilo, Atla, and Clixto, and in the name of all the gods, I wed you to Tezcat, the creator, to sojourn with him during his stay on earth.

The god incarnate takes you in marriage whom he himself created, that the symbol may be perfect and the mystery fulfilled.

Yet lest your joy should be too full--look now on that which shall be.' As the voice spoke these words, many torches sprang into flame at the far end of the great chamber, revealing a dreadful sight.

For there, stretched upon a stone of sacrifice, was the body of a man, but whether the man lived or was modelled in wax I do not know to this hour, though unless he was painted, I think that he must have been fashioned in wax, since his skin shone white like mine.

At the least his limbs and head were held by five priests, and a sixth stood over him clasping a knife of obsidian in his two hands.