But there came a day when the people grew vain and waxed insolent, saying, "Look now, we are perfect of parts and surely have attained to the Middle place or unto one equal thereunto. Go to, let us build greatly and lay up store, nor wearily wander again even though the earth tremble and the Twain bid us forth. Think ye we shall not be strong and defy even the Fearful?" cried the Men of the Knife, the stout warriors of the Twain. But what of all that? This! Even whilst they were wont to speak in this brave fashion the mountains trembled often, and although afar sounding, much did it abate these boastings! THE ORIGIN OF THE TWIN GODS OF WAR AND OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE BOW. Well aware of this temper of the people, changed also in spirit became the Twain Beloved. "Verily a time hath come," said they, "and this is the time." Forthwith they called the fathers to council again, as many of them as there were of the Midmost and of all the folk kins, they and the Men of the Knife--brave of mouth yet weak of danger--called they together, and thus spake unto them: Lo! long have ye dwelt here At rest from far journeys. Sooth! ye stronger have waxed, And like cubs of the puma Grown lusty, seek living Apart from your fathers! Ye have changed, O, ye children! Ye have changed been, to men! Whilst far from the Middle, The world's stable Middle, Still ye boast to have found it, And ye think upon warfare! Nay, proven ye shall be And it shall be tested! Thus far have we led ye In peace, and with counsel Of wisdom controlled ye. But we too have changed been, By wounding our children With weapons of magic. Thus, of blood we have tasted the hunger, Henceforth by the power of war, And the hazard of omens and chance, Shall we open the ways for our people And guide them in search of the Middle! And our names shall be known as the Twain Who hold the high places of earth-- Áhaiyuta, the elder and main; Mátsailema, the younger of birth. Come forth, ye War-men, of the Knife, Carve plume-wands of death and the spaces, Bring out the great drum of the regions! Come forth, master-priest of the north, Thou first in the kin of the Bear, Bring out the seed stuff of the hail-tempests! Come forth, master-priest of the west, Thou first in the kin of Coyotes, Bring out the seed stuff of beast-slaying! Come forth, master-priest of the south, Thou first in the kin of the Badger, Bring out the shell trumpets of fire! Come forth, master-priest of the east, Thou first in the kin of the Turkey, Bring out the great crystal of light. Come forth, master-priest of the high, Thou first in the kin of the Eagle, Lay before us the streaked stone of lightning! Come forth, master-priest of below, Thou first in the kin of the Serpent,