The word mo in the expression mo Cabildo Real may be the Spanish mio, my; or the Nah. mo, thy, thine. The Cabildo was originally the chapter of a religious house, and later a council, but at present it is applied in Central America to the municipal courts, and the house in which they sit.
[Page 8.] In the second reply of the Alguacil on this page there are evidently several words omitted which I have supplied in brackets in the translation. The same has occurred elsewhere, and it was to be expected, as nearly all the Nahuatl expressions have become unintelligible to the native population of the present generation. As most of these formulas are repeated several times, we can approximate to what the full expression should be.
Ya nemo niqui nistipampa, is a frequent reply in the play to a formal salutation of a superior. I have translated it as some corruption of the Nahuatl words, yê nemonequi nixtlipampa, literally, "my presence is proper," i. e., "I am present before you, as is my duty." The Alguacil, as having charge of the patrol, hastens to speak of its wretched uniform. The adjective sesule, constantly applied to Güegüence, evidently in a depreciatory manner, is probably from the Nah. tçulli, worthless.
[Page 10.] While the Governor and Alguacil are conversing, Güegüence and his sons enter, and overhear the last directions of the Governor. All three understand whom he means, but it is the cue of Güegüence to assume a different signification. To the brusque rejoinder of Don Ambrosio he pretends to be deaf, and this feigned difficulty of hearing is depended on as one of the main elements of the comic throughout.
The epithet mala casta, of bad blood, as applied by Güegüence to his own (putative) son, becomes intelligible later in the play, where it is stated that he was begotten during his legal father's absence in Mexico.
Embustero, which I have rendered "humbug," is more exactly a boasting, bragging charlatan. Dr. Valentine suggests "blower," in the slang sense of that word.
[Page 12.] Asuyungua. The numerous words which begin in asu, asa, and ase, seem to be compounds with the Nah aço, "perhaps," used in introducing a positive statement mildly, or in presenting a question in the form of an assertion, as aço amo timoçahua, "perhaps you have not fasted," meaning "you surely have not." (Carochi.) It is usually combined with other particles, and the analysis of such compounds in the altered form presented in the text becomes exceedingly uncertain.
After the announcement of his person and official position by the Alguacil, Güegüence repeats his titles in a tone of affected admiration, and inquires after his staff of office, which was not visible. This staff was all-important to the dignity of an alcalde or alguacil. In Nahuatl this official is called topilê, he who carries the staff, from topilli, staff.
[Page 14.] Güegüence, who has no desire to appear before the Governor, makes an excuse that he will learn how to fly, and is about leaving, when he is called back by the Alguacil. The words te calas, qui provincia real, should probably read, ticalaquia presencia real, the first from calaquia, to enter, as on page [8].
[Page 16.] Having agreed to take a lesson in etiquette, Güegüence pretends quite to misunderstand the Alguacil, when he claims pay for his instructions.