The mutæ personæ of the drama are the women and the machos, or mules. Of the former, only one is named, the lady Suchi-Malinche, daughter of the Governor. She enters clothed in a sort of tunic, fastened to her person with gay silken sashes; chains of gold and costly jewels adorn her garments, and a wreath of flowers crowns her hair. The latter may be a reference to her name. Suchi is a corruption of the Nahuatl xochitl, flower; Malinche, it may be remembered, was the name of the famous Indian girl who served Cortes as interpreter in his first campaign in Mexico, and became his mistress. Some have supposed that it was a corruption of the Spanish Christian name Marina, but, as Señor Icazbalceta has conclusively shown, it is the name of one of the days of the Aztec month, malinalli, with the termination tzin, signifying affection. It was the custom in Mexico and Central America, and still is in many parts, for the natives to name their children after the day on which they were born, led thereto by certain ancient astrological notions.[49] In Nicaragua, malinche is also the name of a tree, a species of Poinciana, which bears a handsome red flower.
The Machos, or mules, are twelve or more in number. They give the second title to the piece, El Macho raton, an appropriate translation of which I am at a loss to give. Literally it means "The Male Mouse." As used at present, it signifies a masker, or masquerading dress. An acquaintance, who has lived in Nicaragua, tells me that he has heard the children call out: "See, there goes the Macho-raton," which would prove to be an Indian in a fantastic costume. In the play, they wear heads of skins, imitating those of mules, surmounted with horns of goats, and a petaca, or wicker basket frame draped with sashes, etc. In their hands they carry bells.
Among the ancient Nahuas, and probably to this day, there were various curious superstitions relating to mice. If they gnawed a hole in the dress of a wife, her husband took it as a sign that she had been unfaithful to him; and she entertained the same suspicion were his garments attacked. When food was attacked by mice, it indicated that the people of the house would be falsely accused of something.[50]
§ 6. Epitome of the Story of The Güegüence.
p. 6.
p. 8.
p. 10.
The Governor and the Alguacil meet and enter into conversation. The Governor directs that the songs and dances which are for the diversion of the Royal Council should cease, and bewails its poverty. He also directs that no one shall be allowed to enter his province (or presence?) without a permit from the patrol. The Alguacil complains that their poverty is so great that they have no fit clothing, and lays the blame on Güegüence. The Governor refers to Güegüence in severe terms, and orders that he be brought before him, by any means.
Güegüence, who with his two sons is within earshot, hears the Governor's orders, and pretends to think that it refers to a calf or a colt.
p. 12