Ancient Nahuatl Poetry, Containing the Nahuatl Text of XXVII Ancient Mexican Poems / Brinton's Library of Aboriginal American Literature Number VII.

by Daniel G. Brinton

NOTES FOR SONG XIX.

In this song we have avowedly a specimen of an early chant prepared probably by Bishop Zummarraga for the native converts. The accompaniment on the teponaztli is marked at the beginning. The language is noticeably different from the hymn to Quetzalcoatl just given (XVIII).

NOTES FOR SONG XX.

Another song of the antique Quetzalcoatl cyclus. It bewails the loss of Tulan, and the bard seeks in vain for any joyous theme to inspire his melody, reflecting on all that has bloomed in glory and now is gone forever.

3. Tetl-quahitl; see note to XVIII, 9.

NOTES FOR SONG XXI.

The occurrence to which this poem alludes took place about the year 1507. The chroniclers state that it was in the early period of the reign of Montezuma II, that the natives of Huexotzinco, at that time allies of the Mexicans, were severely harassed by the Tlascallans, and applied, not in vain, to their powerful suzerain to aid them. (See Tezozomoc, Cronica Mexicana, cap. 97.)