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VI
For, when in Mexico's barbaric day
Fierce king and host met king in bloody fray;
When captives, to the war-gods' temples led,
Were butchered by the priests, who on them fed,
Their grim idolatry's abhorrent blight
Blinded all eyes to reason's cheerful light;
And when the conquering Spanish bigots came.
Little recked they of mercy or of shame.
Ground by such cruel centuries of wrong,
What race was ever frankly true or strong?
This race, outlasting king and priest and foe.
Abides and waits, possessing Mexico.
