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GREAT CIVILIZATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: THE AZTECS

While north of the Maya, by swamp and by stream,

There rose a great culture whose power did beam

Throughout the vast lands of Mexico territory:

The Aztec warriors in their pride and glory.

Who laid their stakes in the mud, in Lake Texcoco,

Where their farms took root and their cities did grow, grow.

They settled the marshes and spread out from there

Through bountiful trade and successful warfare.

Yes, they swept through the land to build an empire

With a spirit that blazed as fierce as sun fire,

Whose boys trained from the start in the harsh art of war

And fought dressed as eagles or in skins of jaguar.

And the jungles they stalked, putting fear in their foes,

With a faith in the promise that was made to heroes:

A brave warrior, ‘twas said, did not truly die,

But lived on in new form: a hummingbird or butterfly.

And after defeating their neighbors, tribes one and all,

The Aztec Emperors stood most mighty and tall.

Ah, but not all wore smiles when things were done,

-- Just ask those put to death to please the Sun!

Indeed, to honor this god who gave golden light,

Much blood was spilled in sacrificial rite.

Yes, to the great giver of life, to the granter of power,

Were lives given back in a most gruesome hour.

But not all Aztec life was so ghastly and gory,

Fine pleasures as well play a part in this story.

In fact, they found a fine bean, cacao they called it,

And fell fast in love with this first taste of chocolate.