MOCTEZUMA’S MESSENGER REPORTS

“The tall ship dropped from the sky

To sail across our southern seas

And stood at anchor just offshore.

Soon a smaller boat left the tall ship.

Slowly, as oars rose and fell, it touched land.

The white god stepped out so all-aglow.

His beautiful breastplate shone, like the sun.

The helmet was like the moon above.

Then as the white god stood still,

He drew forth a spear, like lightning,

Touched it to the earth as he murmured

In a strange language a blessing on us—

The emissary of Quetzalcoatl has landed!”