But this doom was on the Snake, that because of his wickedness he must put off the flesh of men and descend into the holy place of waters, where, as we and our fathers have known, his symbol dwells eternally, taking tribute of the lives of men.
"Yet ere that crime was wrought the Mother gave a word of promise to her people.

'Now that I am about to die at the hands of him I bore, for so it is fated,' she said.

'But not for ever do I leave you, and not for ever shall the Snake be punished by putting off the flesh of men.

Many generations shall go by and we will return again and rule over you, and the veil of mist shall be lifted from your land, and ye shall be great in the earth.

Till then, choose you kings and let them govern you; moreover, forget not my worship, and see to it that throughout the ages the altar of the Snake is wet with blood, and that he lacks not the food he loves.