An Inca's Death Prayer (Peruvian)

AN INCA'S DEATH PRAYER

(Peruvian)

O CREATOR of men
Thy servant speaks.
Then look on him
The king of Cusco.

Do not forget me
O thou noble creator.
O thou of my dreams.
Dost thou forget
And I on the point of death?
Wilt thou ignore my prayer
Or wilt thou make known
Who thou art?
Thou mayest be what I thought,
Yet perchance thou art a phantom,
A thing that causes fear.
Oh, if I might know!
Oh, if it could be revealed!
Thou who made me out of earth,
And of clay formed me.
Oh look upon me!
Who art thou, O Creator?
Now I am very old.