“And when Quetzalcoatl was living, he began and commenced the temple of his which is the Coatlaquetzali (Serpent Plumes), and he did not finish it, he did not fully erect it.”

Nacxitl Topiltzin, “Our Lord the four-footed.” Nacxitl appears to have been the name of Quetzalcoatl, in his position as lord of the merchants.  Compare Sahagun, ubi supra, Lib.  I, cap. 19.

2. Poyauhtecatl, a volcano near Orizaba, mentioned by Sahagun. Acallan, a province bordering on the Laguna de los Terminos.  The myth reported that Quetzalcoatl journeyed to the shores of the Gulf about the isthmus of Tehuantepec and there disappeared.

3. Nonohualco; the reference is to the cerro de Nonoalco, which plays a part in the Quetzalcoatl myth.  The words of the song are almost those of Tezcatlipoca when he is introduced to Quetzalcoatl.  Asked whence he came, he replied, “Nihuitz in Nonohualcatepetl itzintla, etc.” (Anales de Cuauhtitlan).

4.  The occurrences alluded to are the marvels performed by Quetzalcoatl on his journey from Tulan.  See my American Hero Myths, p. 115.

5.  The departure of Quetzalcoatl was because he was ordered to repair to Tlapallan, supposed to be beyond Xicalanco.

8. quinti, for iquintia; the reference is to the magic draught given Quetzalcoatl by Tezcatlipoca.

9. In tetl, in quahuitl; literally, “stone and stick;” a very common phrase in Nahautl, to signify misfortunes.

NOTES FOR SONG XIX.

In this song we have avowedly a specimen of an early chant prepared probably by Bishop Zummarraga for the native converts.  The accompaniment on the teponaztli is marked at the beginning.  The language is noticeably different from the hymn to Quetzalcoatl just given (XVIII).

NOTES FOR SONG XX.

Another song of the antique Quetzalcoatl cyclus.  It bewails the loss of Tulan, and the bard seeks in vain for any joyous theme to inspire his melody, reflecting on all that has bloomed in glory and now is gone forever.

3. Tetl-quahitl; see note to XVIII, 9.

NOTES FOR SONG XXI.

The occurrence to which this poem alludes took place about the year 1507.  The chroniclers state that it was in the early period of the reign of Montezuma II, that the natives of Huexotzinco, at that time allies of the Mexicans, were severely harassed by the Tlascallans, and applied, not in vain, to their powerful suzerain to aid them.  (See Tezozomoc, Cronica Mexicana, cap. 97.)

The poet does not appear to make a direct petition, but indirectly praises the grandeur of Montezuma and expresses his own ardent love for his native Huexotzinco.  The song would appear to be used as a delicate prelude to the more serious negotiations.  It is one of the few historical songs in the collection.  From the references in verses 1 and 3 we infer that this singer held in his hand the painted book from which he recited the couplets.  This may explain the presentation of the piece.