“Call all the people together in the Temple of Saturn, on the proper day, and let the four intervening suns rise on a fasting and contrite nation. Let every house and roadway be swept for purification. Let the anointing and ablution be thorough, and let them come to the temple laden with flowers; because where flowers grow, love has been. This is the end of a divine cycle; and it is befitting that we come together in chastened spirit to mourn its myriad dead.” Seeing that they stood uncertain as to how to proceed, he added: “I will make proclamation. See to it, Setos, and thou, Alcamayn, that the edict is posted on all the temple doors and all the obelisks, and make it known to the fleet and to the warriors. None shall be exempt from this Festival of Humiliation, and it shall be an anniversary for ages to come.” “Before thou art engrossed with quill and parchment, accept another service of wine of maguey,” said Orondo, while the tamane was arranging writing materials. “Thy physical strength is indeed at low ebb.” “But my agonized spirit hears the shrieks of despair of our dying brothers. May they find comfort in the bosom of the Ineffable One!” “Amenti! hear and grant, we beseech thee!” they all said in heartfelt sympathy. “Wilt thou give us leave to smoke?” asked Setos, as Yermah prepared to write. “With both assent and blessing. Thou art kind to remember what my poor confused brain is unable to recall at this moment.” He wrote: _Brethren of Tlamco—Greeting_: He whose face is always inscrutable and hidden begins another eon of time. Countless thousands of our fellows heard the dread voice and are silent. Alcyone, the great central sun, has once more suffered eclipse, and a fiery sign hangs in the heavens. The north is ingulfed, the south is on fire, the sacred east frowns and threatens in gray obscurity, and blood drowns the fading light in the west. Desolation mocks the eye on all sides. Thou art each and all commanded to prepare for a solemn commemoration of humiliation and despair. Go ye all to the Temple of Saturn, and there do honor to our beloved dead. Bear thy burdens helpfully and with courage; for in the innumerable wanderings, upheavals, and cataclysms of our earth’s stupendous career each creature has some time been summoned under penalty of death to make good use of its wits. How many courtiers go into the presence of a king a hundred times, not to have speech with him, not to hear him, but merely to be seen, that he may know they are willing to serve. When thou art in the house of death, speak if thou canst. If not, show thyself, and let thy heart be content. Done by the hand of thy humble servitor, YERMAH. In dismissing Alcamayn and Setos, he said: