But if the sacrifice is celebrated one moment before or after that propitious hour, then the doom of Tenoctitlan is sealed.

Also they have declared that you must die, not, according to custom, at the Temple of Arms across the lake, but on the great pyramid before the chief statue of the god.

All this is known throughout the land; thousands of priests are now offering up prayers that the sacrifice may be fortunate, and a golden ring has been hung over the stone of slaughter in such a fashion that the light of the sun must strike upon the centre of your breast at the very moment of mid-day.

For weeks you have been watched as a jaguar watches its prey, for it was feared that you would escape to the Teules, and we, your wives, have been watched also.

At this moment there is a triple ring of guards about the palace, and priests are set without your doors and beneath the window places.