|
|
 Ancient Nahuatl Poetry
A SPRING SONG OF THE MEXICANS, A PLAIN SONG
Translated by Daniel G. Brinton; language: english and nahuatl
|
X. MEXICA XOPANCUICATL TLAMELAUHCAYOTL. |
X. A SPRING SONG OF THE MEXICANS, A PLAIN SONG. |
|
1. Tlaocoya in noyollo nicuicanitl nicnotlamatia, yehua za yey
xochitl y zan ye in cuicatlin, ica nitlacocoa in tlalticpac ye nican,
ma nequitocan intech cocolia intech miquitlani moch ompa onyazque
cano y ichan, ohuaya.
|
1. My heart grieved, I, the singer, was afflicted, that these are the
only flowers, the only songs which I can procure here on earth; see
how they speak of sickness and of death, how all go there to their
homes, alas.
|
|
2. I inquemanian in otonciahuic, in otontlatzihuic tocon ynayaz in
momahuizco in motenyo in tlalticpac, ma nenquitocane, ohuaya, etc.
|
2. Sometimes thou hast toiled and acquired skill, thou takest refuge
in thy fame and renown on earth; but see how vain they speak, alas.
|
|
3. Inin azan oc huelnemohuan in tlalticpac mazano ihuian yehuan Dios
quiniquac onnetemoloa in tiaque in canin ye ichan, ohuaya.
|
3. As many as live on earth, truly they go to God when they descend
to the place where are their homes, alas.
|
|
4. Hu inin titotolinia ma yuhquitimiquican ma omochiuh in mantech
onittocan in tocnihuan in matech onahuacan in quauhtin y a ocelotl.
|
4. Alas, we miserable ones, may it happen when we die that we may see
our friends, that we may be with them in grandeur and strength.
|
|
5. Mazo quiyocoli macaoc xictemachican, can antlahuicaya y caya
amechmotlatili in ipalnemohuani, ohuaya.
|
5. Although He is the Creator, do not hope that the Giver of Life has
sent you and has established you.
|
|
6. Ay ya yo xicnotlamatican Tezcacoacatl, Atecpanecatl mach nel
amihuihuinti in cozcatl in chalchihuitli, ma ye anmonecti, ma ye
antlaneltocati.
|
6. Be ye grieved, ye of Tezcuco and Atecpan, that ye are intoxicated
with gems and precious stones; come forth to the light, come and
believe.
|
NOTES FOR SONG X.
The poet expresses his grief that his songs all dwell on painful
topics; he exhorts his hearers of the vanity of fame and skill in
handicrafts, and of the uncertainty of life; closing, he appeals
especially to those of Tezcuco and Atecpan to listen and believe his
warnings.
In spite of the introduction of the Spanish word Dios, and the
exhortation to "believe," in the last line, it is possible that the
substance of this song was due to purely native inspiration; yet it
may have been, like Song XIX, one of those written at an early period
for the converts by the missionaries.
|
UnCopyrighted©Sam, 2003-2009
|
 | |
RUS ver.