In the appended Vocabulary I have inserted only those words and expressions for which I can suggest correct—or, at least, probable—renderings. Others will have to be left to future investigators.

Contents.

  1. [Preface]
  2. [Introduction]
    1. [Hymn of Huitzilopochtli]
    2. [War Song of the Huitznahuac]
    3. [Hymn of Tlaloc]
    4. [Hymn to the All-Mother]
    5. [Hymn to the Virgin Mother]
    6. [Hymn to the God of Fire]
    7. [Hymn of Mixcoatl]
    8. [Hymn to the God of Flowers]
    9. [Hymn to the Goddess of Artists]
    10. [Hymn to the God of Fishing]
    11. [Hymn of the Otomi Leader]
    12. [Hymn to the Goddess of Childbirth]
    13. [Hymn to the Mother of Mortals]
    14. [Hymn Sung at a Fast every Eight Years]
    15. [Hymn to a Night God]
    16. [Hymn to the Goddess of Food]
    17. [Hymn to the Gods of Wine]
    18. [Hymn to the Master of Waters]
    19. [Hymn to the God of Flowers]
    20. [Hymn to the God of Merchants]
  4. [Glossary]
  5. [Index]

List of Illustrations.

[Xippe Totec, God of Silversmiths, in Full Costume],Frontispiece
[Priest of Xippe Totec, Drinking and Playing on a Drum],Hymn XV
[Chicomecoatl, Goddess of Food and Drink],Hymn XVI
[Totochtin, the Rabbits, Gods of the Drunkards],Hymn XVII
[Atlaua, Singing and Dancing],Hymn XVIII

[Introduction.]

As in a previous number of the Library of Aboriginal American Literature I have discussed in detail the character of the [ancient Mexican poetry], I shall confine myself at present to the history of the present collection. We owe its preservation to the untiring industry of Father Bernardino de Sahagun, one of the earliest missionaries to Mexico, and the author of by far the most important work on the religion, manners and customs of the ancient Mexicans.