Native American Legends
Death of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui
An Inca Legend
Being in the highest prosperity and sovereignty of his life, he
fell ill of a grave infirmity, and, feeling that he was at the point
of death, he sent for all his sons who were then in the city. In
their presence he first divided all his jewels and contents of his
wardrobe.
Next he made them plough furrows in token that they were vassals
of their brother, and that they had to eat by the sweat of their
hands. He also gave them arms in token that they were to fight for
their brother. He then dismissed them.
He next sent for the Incas orejones of Cuzco, his relations, and
for Tupac Inca his son to whom he spoke, with a few words, in this
manner: "Son! you now see how many great nations I leave to
you, and you know what labor they have cost me. Mind that you are
the man to keep and augment them. No one must raise his two eyes
against you and live, even if he be your own brother. I leave you
these our relations that they may be your councilors. Care for them
and they shall serve you. When I am dead, take care of my body,
and put it in my houses at Patallacta. Have my golden image in the
House of the Sun, and make my subjects, in all the provinces, offer
up solemn sacrifice, after which keep the feast of purucaya, that
I may go to rest with my father the Sun."
Having finished his speech they say that he began to sing in a
low and sad voice with words of his own language.
They are as follows:
I was born as a flower of the field,
As a flower I was cherished in my youth,
I came to my full age, I grew old,
Now I am withered and die.
Having uttered these words, he laid his head upon a pillow and
expired, giving his soul to the devil, having lived a hundred and
twenty-five years.
For he succeeded, or rather he took the Inca-ship into his hands
when he was twenty-two, and he was sovereign one hundred and three
years.
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