CHRISTIAN SONG
XV. THE REIGN OF TEZOZOMOCTLI
XVI. A SONG URGING TO WAR
XVII. A FLOWER SONG
XVIII. A SONG OF TOLLAN
XIX. A CHRISTIAN SONG
XX. A SONG LAMENTING THE TOLTECS
XXI. A SONG OF THE HUEXOTZINCOS,
COMING TO ASK AID OF MONTEZUMA AGAINST TLAXCALLA
XXII. A FLOWER SONG
XXIII. A SONG OF THE PRINCE NEZAHUALCOYOTL
XXIV. ANOTHER
XXV. A SONG OF LAMENTATION
XXVI. A SONG RELATING TO THE LORD NEZAHUALPILLI
XXVII. A CHRISTIAN SONG

NOTES

VOCABULARY

INDEX OF NAHUATL PROPER NAMES, WITH EXPLANATIONS

FOOTNOTES

ANCIENT NAHUATL POETRY.

INTRODUCTION.

Sec. 1. _THE NATIONAL LOVE OF POETRY._

The passionate love with which the Nahuas cultivated song, music and
the dance is a subject of frequent comment by the historians of
Mexico. These arts are invariably mentioned as prominent features of
the aboriginal civilization; no public ceremony was complete without
them; they were indispensable in the religious services held in the
temples; through their assistance the sacred and historical
traditions were preserved; and the entertainments of individuals
received their chief lustre and charm from their association with
these arts.

The profession of the poet stood in highest honor. It was the custom
before the Conquest for every town, every ruler and every person of
importance to maintain a company of singers and dancers, paying them
fixed salaries, and the early writer, Duran, tells us that this
custom continued in his own time, long after the Conquest. He
sensibly adds, that he can see nothing improper in it, although it
was condemned by some of the Spaniards.[1] In the training of these
artists their patrons took a deep personal interest, and were not at
all tolerant of neglected duties. We are told that the chief selected
the song which was to be sung, and the tune by which it was to be
accompanied; and did any one of the choir sing falsely, a drummer
beat out of time, or a dancer strike an incorrect attitude, the
unfortunate artist was instantly called forth, placed in bonds and
summarily executed the next morning![2]

With critics of such severity to please, no wonder that it was
necessary to begin the training early, and to set apart for it
definite places and regular teachers. Therefore it was one of the
established duties of the teachers in the calmecac or public school,
"to teach the pupils all the verses of the sacred songs which wer