Another interesting proto-architect/builder is the Aztec king Nezahualcoyotl who
died in 1472.  During his reign the city of Texcoco entered a golden age of
building.  Among his works was a temple to the "Unknown God".  He was interested
in poetry, philosophy, science, and mechanics.  (He also had 100 wives).  I
think I've read somewhere that this poem is attributed to him, but it doesn't
much matter.  The following translation by Denise Levertov comes from the Codice
Matritense de la Real Academia de la Historia.  In any event, the message is a
good one:

**************

The artist: disciple, abundant, multiple, restless.
The true artist: capable, practicing, skillful;
maintains dialogue with his heart, meets things with his mind.
The true artist: draws out all from his heart,
works with delight, makes things with calm, with sagacity,
works like a true Toltec, composes his objects, works dexterously,
invents;
arranges materials, adorns them, makes them adjust.

The carrion artist: works at random, sneers at the people,
makes things opaque, brushes across the surface of the face of things,
works without care, defrauds people, is a thief.

****************

Lisa