Chapter IV: Introduction: § 1. The Nahuas and Mangues of Nicaragua (3)
_Gov._ Well, Don Forcico, you are to tell me the truth about the stories which Güegüence tells, saying that he is a rich man, and has property, and handsome and beautiful things; in the first place, chests of gold, chests of silver, doubloons of gold, coins of silver; so tell me clearly, Don Forcico.
_Don For._ O! God bless me, Governor Tastuanes, the day and the night are too short to tell you all the riches of my father. In the first place, chests of gold, chests of silver, cloth of Spain, cloth from smugglers, stirrup straps of lace of gold and silver, as may satisfy the clever Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ No, not satisfied yet, Don Forcico; for next, your little brother, Don Ambrosio, will give a truthful account to the Royal Court about these riches and abundant treasures.
_Don For._ Governor Tastuanes, if friend Captain Chief Alguacil will suspend in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances, songs and ballets, my little brother, Don Ambrosio, will give a truthful account.
36
_Gobernador._
No pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, simocagüe campamento Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana, y palparesia su hermanito D. Ambrosio timaguas y verdad tin riquezas, tin hermosuras.
_Alguacil._
Mascamayagua Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes. Matateco Dio mispiales Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana, y palparesia Don Ambrosio timaguas y verdad.
Aqui el Alg^l saca à D. Ambrosio p^a hablar con el
Gob^{or}.
_D. Ambrosio._
Matateco Dio mispiales, Sor. Gobernador Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
Matateco Dio miscuales, quilis Don Ambrosio, ya tiguala neme?
_D. Ambrosio._
Ya nemo niqui nistipampa quinimente motales, quinimente moseguan Alcaldes ordinarios de la Sta. hermandad, regidores y notarios, y depositarios. Eguan noche mo Cabildo Real del Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
Pues Don Ambrosio asamatimaguas semo verdad á sones (se) paguala motalce Güegüence quichua contar güil hombre rico. En primer lugar cajoneria de oro, cajoneria de plata, ropa de Castilla, ropa de contrabando, güipil de pecho, güipil de pluma, medias de seda, zapatos de oro, sombrero de castor, estriberas de lazo de oro y de plata, muchintes hermosuras quichua contar sesule Güegüence hoy melagüe Don Ambrosio.
37
_Gov._ My son, Captain Chief Alguacil, suspend in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances, songs and ballets, and his little brother, Don Ambrosio, will give a truthful account of the riches and treasures.
_Alg._ At your service, Governor Tastuanes. I pray God to protect the leading men, [and they suspend] the music, dances, songs and ballets, and Don Ambrosio will give a truthful account.
(The Alguacil takes Don Ambrosio aside to talk to the
Governor.)
_Don Am._ I pray God to protect you, Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ I pray God to prosper you, Don Ambrosio; are you well?
_Don Am._ I am here, as is proper, [and I pray God to protect] those who carry the messages, those who transact the business, the regular alcaldes of the Holy Brotherhood, the registrars, notaries and archivists, [by day] and by night, in the Royal Court of Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ Well, Don Ambrosio, you are to tell me the truth about the stories which Güegüence relates, saying that he is a rich man. In the first place, [that he has] chests of gold, chests of silver, cloth of Spain, cloth from smugglers, vests, skirts of feathers, silk stockings, golden shoes, a beaver hat, stirrup straps of lace of gold and silver, quantities of pretty things, as that good-for-nothing Güegüence relates; so tell me clearly, Don Ambrosio.
38
_D. Ambrosio._
Valgame Dios, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, vergüenza me da contar las cosas de ese Güegüence embustero, pues solo está esperando que cierre la noche para salir de casa en casa á hurtar lo que hay en las cocinas para pasar el, y su hijo Don Forcico. Dice que tiene cajoneria de oro, y es una petaca vieja totolatera, que tiene catre de seda y es un petate viejo revolcado, dice que tiene medias de seda y son unas botias viejas sin forro, que tiene zapatos de oro, y son unas chancletas viejas sin suelas, que tiene un fusil de oro, y es solo el palo, porque el cañon se lo quitaron.
_Güegüence._
Ve, que afrenta de muchacho, hablador, boca floja! revientale, hijo, la cabeza, que como no es hijo mio me desacredita.
_D. Forcico._
Quitate de aquí, mala casta! No se espante Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes en oir á este hablador, que cuando yo anduve con mi padre por la carrera de Mexico y cuando venimos ya estaba mi madre en cinta de otro, y por eso salió tan mala casta, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Güegüence._
Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes ya pachigüe muyules teguane motel poyuce Don Forcico contar tin hermosuras, tin bellezas, tumiles mo Cabildo Real.
_Gobernador._
Pachigüete no pachigüete, Güegüence, asamaquimate mollule mo Cabildo real.
39
_Don Am._ God bless me, Governor Tastuanes, I am ashamed to talk about the affairs of this old humbug, Güegüence, for he is only waiting until it is dark, to go from house to house, stealing whatever is in the kitchens, to keep him and his son, Don Forcico, alive. He says he has a chest of gold, and it is an old bird-basket; that he has a silken cot, and it is a dirty old mat; he says he has silk stockings, and they are old leggings, without lining; that he has golden shoes, and they are worn out slippers, without soles; that he has a golden gun, and it is only a wooden stock, because they took the barrel away from him.
_Güe._ Heavens! what an impudent boy, a babbler, a lying tongue! Break his head, my boy, for no son of mine would slander me in that way.
_Don For._ Get out of here, you bad breed. Don't be shocked, Governor, to hear this babbler; for when I went with my father on the road to Mexico, when we came back my mother was big by another, and that is why this one is such a bad breed, Governor Tastuanes.
_Güe._ Governor Tastuanes, now are you not satisfied completely about us, by what Don Forcico told the Royal Court, that I have quantities of pretty and beautiful things?
_Gov._ No, not satisfied; the Royal Court would like to know it.
40
_Güegüence._
No chiquimate mollule Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes: pues mayagüe amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, campamento Srs. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana y palparesia mo tinderia turna güiso mo Cabildo Real.
_Gobernador._
No pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, simocagüe campamento Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana, y paltechua consolar sesule Güegüence(.) Eguan mo tinderia y paltechua consolar mo cabildo real.
_Alguacil._
Mascamayagua, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes. Matateco Dio mispiales Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana y palparesia tinderia mo Cabildo Real.
Da vuelta el Güegüence y los muchachos bailando con la
tienda, y habla el
_Güegüence._
Matateco Dio mispiales, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, asanega neme mo tinderia matamagüeso mo Cabildo Real. Alzen muchachos, miren cuanta hermosura. En primer lugar cajoneria de oro, cajoneria de plata, güipil de pecho, güipil de pluma, medias de seda, zapatos de oro, sombrero de castor, estriberas de lazo de oro y de plata, muchintes hermosuras, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, asaneganeme ese lucero de la mañana que relumbra del otro lado del mar, asanecaneme esa jeringuita de oro para ya remediar el Cabildo Real del Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
Para tu cuerpo, Güegüence.
41
_Güe._ The clever Governor Tastuanes does not know it. Well, then, let friend Captain Chief Alguacil suspend in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances, songs, ballets and talk, and I will open my tent to the Royal Court.
_Gov._ My son, Captain Chief Alguacil, suspend in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances, songs, ballets and such like, to please this good-for-nothing Güegüence, and he will show his tent, to please the Royal Court.
_Alg._ At your service, Governor Tastuanes. I pray God to protect the leading men, [and they suspend] the music, dances, songs, ballets and talk, [to show] the tent to the Royal Court.
(Güegüence and the boys dance around the stage with the
tent.)
_Güe._ I pray God to protect you, Governor Tastuanes. Let me offer you my tent, to show to the Royal Court. Heft it, boys. See what pretty things! In the first place, a chest of gold, a chest of silver, vests, feather skirts, silk stockings, golden shoes, a beaver hat, stirrup straps of lace of gold and silver, quantities of pretty things, Governor Tastuanes. Let me offer you this star of the morning, which shines from the other side of the sea; let me offer you this syringe of gold, with which to medicate the Royal Court of the Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ May it be for your own body, Güegüence.
42
_Güegüence._
Como este mi muchacho tiene tantos oficios, que hasta en las uñas tiene encajados los oficios.
_Gobernador._
Seran de arena, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Pues mas ha sido escultor, fundidor, repicador, piloto de alturas de aquellos que se elevan hasta las nubes, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
Esos no son oficios de continuo, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Pues mas ha sido carpintero, hacedor de yugos aunque sean de papayo, hacedor de arados, aunque sean de tecomajoche ya pachigüe muyule Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
Ya pachigüete no pachigüete, pues Güegüence asanese palparesia mo Don Forcico timaguas y verdad tin oficios.
_Güegüence._
Pues si cana amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}. Mayague nistipampa Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana y palparesia Don Forcico timaguas y verdad tin oficios.
_Alguacil._
Mascamayagua, Güegüence. Matateco Dio mispiales Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana y palparesia D. Forcico mo Cabildo Real.
Vuelve el Alguacil à sacar à D. Forcico.
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_Güe._ It is wonderful how many trades this boy of mine has. He is deep in trades to his fingers' ends.
_Gov._ They are of no account, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Why, he has been a sculptor, a metal founder, a bell-ringer, and a pilot to the heights which rise above the clouds, Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ These are not permanent employments, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Then he has been a carpenter, a maker of yokes, though of papaya wood, a maker of plows, though of temple tree wood. This should satisfy the clever Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ No, I am not yet satisfied. Let Güegüence tell his son, Don Forcico, to give a truthful account of his trades.
_Güe._ Then, if friend Captain Chief Alguacil will, in my presence, cause the leading men to suspend the music, dances, songs and ballets, Don Forcico will give a truthful account of his trades.
_Alg._ At your service, Güegüence. I pray God will protect the leading men, [and they suspend] the music, dances, songs and ballets, for the talk of Don Forcico to the Royal Court.
(The Alguacil brings Don Forcico forward.)
44
_D. Forcico._
Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, hasta en las uñas tengo encajados los oficios.
_Gobernador._
Seran de arena, Don Forcico.
_D. Forcico._
Pues mas he sido escultor, fundidor, repicador, piloto de alturas de aquellas que se elevan hasta las nubes, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
Pachigüete no pachigüete, pues Don Forcico asamaguimate mollule tin mudanzas, tin sapatetas mo Cabildo Real.
_D. Forcico._
O valgame Dios, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, sicana amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, campamento Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana tin corridos y palechua consolar mo Cabildo Real.
_Gobernador._
No pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or} simocagüe campamento Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana y palparesia lichua consolar sesule Güegüence.
_Alguacil._
Mascamayagua Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes. Matateco Dio mispiales Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, velancicos, necana y palparesia consolar mo Cabildo Real sesule Güegüence.
Primera bailada del Corrido, y habla el
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_Don For._ Governor Tastuanes, I am deep in trades to my finger ends.
_Gov._ They are of no account, Don Forcico.
_Don For._ Why, I have been a sculptor, a metal founder, a bell-ringer, and a pilot to the heights which rise above the clouds, Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ No, I am not satisfied, since Don Forcico should also know some clever dances and caperings, [to amuse] the Royal Court.
_Don For._ O! God bless me, Governor Tastuanes, if friend Captain Chief Alguacil [will suspend] in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances, songs and ballets, they shall have some running dances and such things, to amuse the Royal Court.
_Gov._ My son, Captain Chief Alguacil, suspend in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances, songs, ballets and talk, in order that this good-for-nothing Güegüence may amuse [the Royal Court].
_Alg._ At your service, Governor Tastuanes. I pray God to protect the leading men, [and they suspend] the music, dances, songs, ballets and talk, in order that the good-for-nothing Güegüence may amuse the Royal Court.
(First ballet with the running dance.)
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_Güegüence._
Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, ya pachigüe mollule tigüita tin mudanzas, tin sapatetas, lichua consolar mo Cabildo Real.
_Gobernador._
Pachigüete no pachiguete, Güegüence, asamaquimate muyule, asanese palparesia motel poyuse Don Forcico y Don Ambrosio à consolar el Cabildo Real.
_Güegüence._
No chopa quimate muyule, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
No chopa quimate Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Mayague amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, campamento Sres. principales, sones, corridos, necana y paltechua consolar Don Forcico eguan D. Ambrosio mo Cabildo Real.
_Gobernador._
No pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, simocagüe campamento Sres. principales, sones, corridos, necana y paltechua consolar Don Forcico eguan Don Ambrosio mo Cabildo Real.
Segunda bailada del Güegüence, y los dos muchachos.
_Güegüence._
Sor Gob^{or} Tastuanes, ya pachigüe mollule tigüita tin mudanzas, tin sapatetas lichua consolar mo Cabildo Real.
_Gobernador._
Pachigüete no pachigüete, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes asamaquimate mollule tin mudanzas, tin sapatetas sones San Martin, à lichua consolar Don Forcico eguan Don Ambrosio mo Cabildo Real.
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_Güe._ Governor Tastuanes, now you are satisfied that they have dances and caperings to amuse the Royal Court.
_Gov._ No, I am not satisfied. I would know thoroughly what Don Forcico and Don Ambrosio can do to amuse the Royal Court.
_Güe._ Do you not know it, Governor Tastuanes?
_Gov._ I do not know it, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Let friend Captain Alguacil Major [suspend] in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances, songs and such like, that Don Forcico and Don Ambrosio may amuse the Royal Court.
_Gov._ My son, Captain Chief Alguacil, suspend in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances, songs and such like, that Don Forcico and Don Ambrosio may amuse the Royal Court.
(Second ballet of Güegüence and the two boys.)
_Güe._ Governor Tastuanes, now you are certainly satisfied that they have dances, have caperings, to amuse the Royal Court.
_Gov._ No, I am not satisfied, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Governor Tastuanes may certainly know that Don Forcico and Don Ambrosio have dances and caperings, to the tune of St. Martin, to amuse the Royal Court.
48
_Gobernador._
No chopa quimate mollule Güegüence. No pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or} simocagüe campamento Sres. principales, sones San Martin a lichua consolar mo Cabildo Real sesule Güegüence.
Aqui se toca S. Martin y dan vuelta todos bailando.
_Gobernador._
A Güegüence ya pachigüe muyule tigüita tin sapatetas lichuas consolar mo Cabildo Real.
_Güegüence._
Pachigüete no pachigüe, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes asamaquimate muyule sones Portorico no amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or} à lichua consolar Don Forcico, y Don Ambrosio mo Cabildo Real.
_Gobernador._
No pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, simocagüe campamento Sres. principales, sones Portorico lichua consolar sesule Güegüence.
Aqui se toca un ton antiguo y dan vuelta todos bailando.
_Gobernador._
A Güegüence ya pachigüe muyule tigüita tin sapatetas lichua consolar mo Cabildo Real.
_Güegüence._
Pachigüete no pachigüe, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, que unos van para atras, y otros para delante.
_Gobernador._
Eso no lo sé, Güegüence. Pues, Güegüence, asamaquimate muyule, tin mudanzas, tin sapatetas semula macho-raton à lichua consolar mo Cabildo Real.
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_Gov._ I do not certainly know it. My son, Captain Chief Alguacil, suspend in the quarters of the leading men [the music, etc.], that this good-for-nothing Güegüence may amuse the Royal Court with the tune of St. Martin.
(The tune of St. Martin is played, and they all dance
around.)
_Gov._ Now, Güegüence, I am satisfied that they have caperings to amuse the Royal Court.
_Güe._ But I am not satisfied; and, Governor Tastuanes, my friend, Captain Chief Alguacil, might like to know how Don Forcico and Don Ambrosio can amuse the Royal Court, to the tune of Porto Rico.
_Gov._ My son, Captain Chief Alguacil, suspend in the quarters of the leading men [the music, etc.], that this good-for-nothing Güegüence may console [us] with the tune of Porto Rico.
(An ancient tune is played, and they all dance around.)
_Gov._ Now, Güegüence, I am satisfied that they have caperings to amuse the Royal Court.
_Güe._ But I am not satisfied, Governor Tastuanes, as some go from behind and others from in front.
_Gov._ I know nothing about that, Güegüence. Now, Güegüence, whether they have dances, caperings, like the _macho-raton_, to amuse the Royal Court?
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_Güegüence._
Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, ya bueno amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, campamento Sres. principales, sones, mudanzas, necana, à lichua consolar semula macho-raton mo Cabildo Real. A, muchachos! que es de los machos?
_D. Forcico._
Ahí estan, tatita.
Aqui se toca la Valona para los machos, y habla el
_Güegüence._
Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes ya pachigüe mollule, tin mudanzas, tin sapatetas, tin remates, tin corcobios semula macho-raton.
_Gobernador._
Pachigüete no pachigüe, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Pues Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, no haremos un trato y contrato, que el sin tuno, sin tunal de eguan mo Doña Suche-Malinche?
_Gobernador._
No chopa quimate muyule, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
No chiquimate, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
No pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or} simocagüe campamento el Señor Escribano Real, chigüigua no provincia real lichua obedecer eguan mo Doña Suche-Malinche.
Va el Alguacil à hablar con el Escribano Real.
_Alguacil._
Matateco Dio mispiales, Sr. Escribano Real.
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_Güe._ Governor Tastuanes, and good friend Captain Chief Alguacil, [suspend] in the quarters of the leading men the music, dances and songs, in order that we may amuse the Royal Court with the _macho-raton_. Ho, boys! how about the mules?
_Don For._ Here they are, little papa.
(The Valona is played for the mules.)
_Güe._ Governor Tastuanes, you are certainly satisfied that they have dances, caperings, finishing touches and curvetings, like the _macho-raton_.
_Gov._ No, I am not satisfied, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Well, then, Governor Tastuanes, shall we not make a trade and a treaty between him, without a folly or a fig-tree, and the lady Suche-Malinche?
_Gov._ Do you not know of it already, Güegüence?
_Güe._ I do not know it, Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ My son, Captain Chief Alguacil, suspend [the labor] in the quarters of the Royal Secretary, and let him obey our order to enter my royal presence, with the lady Suche-Malinche.
(The Alguacil goes to speak with the Royal Secretary.)
_Alg._ I pray God to protect you Mr. Secretary.
52
_Escribano._
Matateco Dio miscuales, quilis Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, ya tiguala neme?
_Alguacil._
Ya nemo niqui nistipampa Sor. Escribano Real, negua ligua y Provincia Real, del Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, lichua obedecer eguan mo Doña Suche-Malinche.
_Escribano._
Pues, no pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or} simocagüe campamento Sres. principales, sones, rujeros, y paltechua obedecer eguan mo Doña Suche-Malinche.
_Alguacil._
Mascamayagua, Sor. Escribano Real.
Aqui se toca el Rujero, dan vuelta bailando los dos y habla
el
_Escribano._
Matateco Dio mispiales, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Gobernador._
Matateco Dio miscuales quilis Sor. Escribano Real, ya tiguala neme?
_Escribano._
Ya nemo niqui nistipampa lichua obedecer, eguan mo Doña Suche-Malinche.
_Gobernador._
Pues, Sor. Escribano Real, asanegaguala sesule Güegüence güil hombre rico, eguan mo Doña Suche-Malinche.
_Escribano._
Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, asanegualigua vestir saya de la China, güipil de pecho, güipil de pluma, medias de seda,
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_Sec._ I pray God to prosper you, Captain Chief Alguacil; are you well?
_Alg._ I am, as is proper, Mr. Secretary. You will enter the royal presence of Governor Tastuanes, to obey his orders, and also the lady Suche-Malinche.
_Sec._ Well, then, my son, Captain Chief Alguacil, suspend in the quarters of the leading men the music, the shoutings, and such like, that I may obey, with the lady Suche-Malinche.
_Alg._ At your service, Mr. Secretary.
(The Rujero is played, and the two dance around.)
_Sec._ I pray God to protect you, Governor Tastuanes.
_Gov._ I pray God to prosper you, Mr. Secretary; are you well?
_Sec._ I am, as is proper, [and come] to obey your orders, with the lady Suche-Malinche.
_Gov._ Well, Mr. Secretary, there is a bargain between this good-for-nothing Güegüence, who is a rich man, and the lady Suche-Malinche.
_Sec._ Governor Tastuanes, let the bargain be for clothing, a petticoat from China, vest, feather skirt, silk stockings,
54
zapatos de oro, sombrero de castor, para monistilco al Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
Se vuelve el Escribano à su lugar, bailando con el
Alguacil.
_Gobernador._
Ha, Güegüence, asiguala lichua escojer mosamonte.
_Güegüence._
¿Desmonte?
_Gobernador._
Mosamonte, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Yo no he hecho trato ni contrato con el Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, solo que sea mi muchacho.
_Gobernador._
Eso no lo sé, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Ha, muchachos, que trato y contrato tienes con el Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_D. Forcico._
De casarme, tatita.
_Güegüence._
De casarte! ¿y tan chiquito te atreves à casarte, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
Si, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Y con quien me dejas, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
Con mi hermanito, Don Ambrosio.
_Güegüence._
Que caso me hará ese jipato!
55
shoes of gold, a beaver hat, for a son-in-law of Governor Tastuanes.
(The Secretary returns to his place, dancing with the
Alguacil.)
_Gov._ Ha, Güegüence! it angers me that you choose so presumptuously.
_Güe._ Trumpery?
_Gov._ Presumptuously, Güegüence.
_Güe._ I have not made any trade or treaty with the Governor Tastuanes; it must be my boy.
_Gov._ I don't know about that, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Ho, boys! what trade or treaty have you with the Governor Tastuanes?
_Don For._ For me to get married, little papa.
_Güe._ For you to get married! What, boy! a little chap like you dares to get married?
_Don For._ Yes, little papa.
_Güe._ And with whom are you going to leave me boy?
_Don For._ With my little brother, Don Ambrosio.
_Güe._ What care will that imp take of me?
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_D. Ambrosio._
Y yo tambien me quiero casar.
_Güegüence._
Para eso seres bueno. Don Forcico asiguale lichúa escojer mosamonte. Ve, que bizarra dama aqui, muchacho.
_D. Forcico._
No está de mi gusto, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Porque, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
Porque está muy pachaca, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Pues, que es iguana ó garrobo para que esté pachaca? Quien la echó á perder, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
Mi hermanito, Don Ambrosio.
_Güegüence._
Para eso será bueno este soplado, ojos de sapo muerto, por eso está tan apupujado. Ve, que bizarra maneca, muchacho.
_D. Forcico._
Si está aventada, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Quien la aventó, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
Mi hermanito, Don Ambrosio.
_Güegüence._
Como aventastes esta dama, Don Ambrosio?
57
_Don Am._ And I too want to get married.
_Güe._ You're good enough for that. Don Forcico makes a bargain to choose presumptuously. See what a gay lady is here, my boy?
_Don For._ She is not to my taste, little papa.
_Güe._ Why not, my boy?
_Don For._ Because she is too much stuffed, little papa.
_Güe._ Is she, then, an iguana or a garrobo, that she is stuffed? Who has spoiled her, my boy?
_Don For._ My little brother, Don Ambrosio.
_Güe._ For that the bloated fellow is good enough, the evil-eyed brat; that is the reason he is so played out. See, here's a gay cake-baker my boy.
_Don For._ She _is_ puffed up, little papa.
_Güe._ Who puffed her up, boy?
_Don For._ My little brother, Don Ambrosio.
_Güe._ How did you puff up this lady, Don Ambrosio?
58
_D. Ambrosio._
De dormir con vos, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Callate, mala casta. Ve que bizarra dama, esta otra, muchacho.
_D. Forcico._
Esta, sí, está de mi gusto, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Sabes escojer, no muchacho, pero no sabes escojer un buen machete para hacer un buen desmonte.
_D. Forcico._
Tambien, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, mosegua trato y contrato.
_Gobernador._
No mocegua, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
No mocegua, Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes; lo que siento es mi muchacho que se me pierde.
_Gobernador._
Eso no lo sé, Güegüence.
Aqui se casan, y habla el.
_Gobernador._
No pilse Cap^n Alg^l M^{or} chigüigua mo Provincia Real, campamento sesule Güegüence lichua obedecer con una yunta de botijas de vino de Castilla para en chocolá y paltechua brindar mo Cabildo Real.
_Regidor._
Simocagüe, Sor. Alg^l M^{or}.--Mayagüe, amigo sesule Güegüence. En nombre mo Cabildo Real te damos los
59
_Don Am._ It came from sleeping with you, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Shut up, you bad breed. See, my boy, what a gay lady this other one is.
_Don For._ This one? Yes, she suits me, little papa.
_Güe._ You know how to choose, my boy; but you don't know how to choose a good axe to make a good clearing.
_Don For._ That also, little papa.
_Güe._ Governor Tastuanes, let us make a trade and a treaty.
_Gov._ I will make it, Güegüence.
_Güe._ I will make it, Governor Tastuanes. What I feel is the loss of my boy.
_Gov._ I don't know about that, Güegüence.
(The marriage takes place.)
_Gov._ My son, Captain Chief Alguacil, let it be known in the quarters of my Royal Province that this good-for-nothing Güegüence is going to treat the Royal Court to a yoke of jars of Spanish wine.
_Reg._ Suspend [business], Mr. Chief Alguacil, and attend, friend good-for-nothing Güegüence. In the name of the Royal Court, we give the congratulations, and also
60
parabienes de eguan mo Doña Suche-Malinche, de inmenso que goce con Don Forcico, tu hijo, Güegüence.
_Alguacil._
Ha, Güegüence, asanegualigua y Provincia Real del Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes y paltechua obedecer con una yunta de botijas de vino de Castilla en chocolá y paltechua brindar mo Cabildo Real del Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Güegüence._
Ha, muchachos, ya lo ven, aviados estamos. Bueno es, ser casado, pero ahora se nos ofrece un gran trabajo. Ya viene el provincial y no tenemos provision. Amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, á onde dejó al provincial, en Managua ó en Nindiri?
_Alguacil._
Acaso no me cele de provincial, Güegüence; una yunta de botijas de vino.
_Güegüence._
Ya lo ven, muchachos, una yunta de bueyes, y ha de ser con carreta.
_Alguacil._
Acaso no me cele de bueyes ò de carreta, Güegüence. Una yunta de botijas de vino de Castilla para en chocolá brindar su Cabildo Real Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes.
_Güegüence._
Ya lo ves, muchacho, en que empeño me metes, con ser casado. Ya ves la providencia que pide el Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes, una yunta de botijas de vino de Castilla para en chocolá del Sor. Gob^{or} Tastuanes; te atreves á buscarla ó á sacarla, muchacho?
61
to the lady Suche Malinche, that she may enjoy herself hugely with Don Forcico, your son, Güegüence.
_Alg._ Ha, Güegüence! it is known in the Royal Province of the Governor Tastuanes that you are to obey him, and treat the Royal Court of the Governor Tastuanes to a yoke of jars of Spanish wine.
_Güe._ Ho, boys! you see we are already provided for. It is a fine thing to be married, but now we have a big job on hand. The Provincial is coming, and we have not prepared for him. Friend Captain Chief Alguacil, where did you leave the Provincial, in Managua or in Nindiri?
_Alg._ Perhaps I don't care about the Provincial; a yoke of wine-jars.
_Güe._ Now you see, boys, a yoke of oxen, and, no doubt, the cart as well.
_Alg._ Perhaps I don't care about carts or oxen, Güegüence; a yoke of jars of Spanish wine for a lunch, to treat the Royal Court of Governor Tastuanes.
_Güe._ Now, boy, you see in what a bother you put me by getting married. Now you see the contribution which the Governor asks, a yoke of jars of Spanish wine for the Governor's lunch. Are you equal to hunting for it, or to getting it, boy?
62
_D. Forcico._
No tengo de onde, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Para escojer mosamonte si eres bueno. Te atreves a buscar una yunta de botijas de vino de Castilla, Don Ambrosio?
_D. Ambrosio._
No tengo de onde, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Que cosa buena has de hacer, mala casta! Con que, ¿no te atreves, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
No, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Pues á ganar ò á perder voy à buscar la yunta de botijas de vino.
_D. Forcico._
No vaya, tatita, ya me avié de la yunta de botijas de vino.
_Güegüence._
A onde te aviastes, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
En casa de un amigo.
_Güegüence._
Quien te enseño hacer amigo?
_D. Forcico._
Usted, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Calla, muchacho, que dirá la gente que yo te enseño á hacer amigo?
63
_Don For._ I don't know whence, little papa.
_Güe._ You are bold enough to choose [a wife] presumptuously. Are you bold enough to hunt up a yoke of jars of Spanish wine, Don Ambrosio?
_Don Am._ I don't know where, Güegüence.
_Güe._ What are you good for, you bad breed? Well, don't _you_ dare to, boy?
_Don For._ No, little papa.
_Güe._ Well, then, be it to win or lose, I shall go in search of the wine myself.
_Don For._ Don't go, little papa, I have already provided the wine.
_Güe._ Where did you get it, boy?
_Don For._ In the house of a friend.
_Güe._ Who taught you to make a friend?
_Don For._ You, little papa.
_Güe._ Shut up, boy. What will the folks say [if they hear] that I taught you to make a friend?
64
_D. Ambrosio._
Y pues no es verdad que enseñas á malas mañas á tu hijo?
_Güegüence._
Arra ya, mala casta! malas mañas como las tienes vos. Amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}, ya estamos aviados de la yunta de botijas de vino, no habrá un macho de la cofradia ò de la comunidad?
_Alguacil._
Vean, que fama de hombre de bien!
_Güegüence._
Soy hombre de bien. Traigo mis machos, pero estan algo raspados desde su cruz hasta su rabo a lichuas diligencia, amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}. Ha, muchachos, que es de los machos?
_D. Forcico._
Ahi, estan, tatita.
Aqui dan una vuelta bailando y cojen los machos.
_D. Forcico._
Ya estan cojidos los machos, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Encojidos? Será de frio.
_D. Forcico._
Los machos ya estan cojidos.
_Güegüence._
Cojudos? Pues no eran capones.
_D. Forcico._
Cojidos los machos, tatita.
65
_Don Am._ And is it not true that you teach your son evil ways?
_Güe._ Get out, you bad breed; you are the one with evil ways. Friend Captain Chief Alguacil, we have now provided the wine. Have you not a mule of the brotherhood, or of the village?
_Alg._ See, what a reputation for an honest man!
_Güe._ I am an honest man. I have my own mules, but they are a little raw, from withers to crupper, in consequence of my energy, Captain Chief Alguacil. Ha, boys! what about the mules?
_Don For._ Here they are, little papa.
(They dance around the stage and lead in a number of masks,
dressed as mules.)
_Don For._ The mules are now driven up, little papa.
_Güe._ Shriveled up? That must be from cold.
_Don For._ I say the mules are driven up.
_Güe._ Livin' studs? Then they were not altered.
_Don For._ The mules are driven up.
66
_Güegüence._
Cojidos los machos? Pues hableme recio! A onde estan los machos?
_D. Forcico._
Aquí estan, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Que macho es este puntero, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
El macho viejo, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Y este otro macho?
_D. Forcico._
El macho guajaqueño.
_Güegüence._
Y este otro macho?
_D. Forcico._
El macho mohino.
_Güegüence._
Y este otro macho?
_D. Forcico._
El macho moto.
_Güegüence._
¿Ya aparejaron, muchachos?
_D. Forcico._
No, tatita, aparejeselos Vd.
_Güegüence._
Todo lo ha de hacer el viejo.
_D. Forcico._
Sí, es mejor, tatita.
67
_Güe._ Driven up, are they? Speak out loud to me. Where are the mules?
_Don For._ Here they are, little papa.
_Güe._ Which mule is this thin one, boy?
_Don For._ The old mule, little papa.
_Güe._ And this other mule?
_Don For._ That is the dried-up one.
_Güe._ And this other?
_Don For._ That is the quarrelsome mule.
_Güe._ And this other one?
_Don For._ The rowdy mule.
_Güe._ Are they harnessed, boys?
_Don For._ No, little papa; harness them yourself.
_Güe._ The old man has to do everything.
_Don For._ Yes, it's better, little papa.
68
_Güegüence._
Ya está sana la cinchera de este macho, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
Ya está, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Y este otro macho ¿ya esta sana la riñonada?
_D. Forcico._
Ya está, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Que sana ha de estar, muchacho, si asi tanta estaca tiene por delante? A onde se estacó este macho, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
En el potrero, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Eso merece por ralirse del potrero á otro potrero. Y la vaticola de este macho, ya está sana, muchacho?
_D. Forcico._
Ya está, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Que sana ha de estar, muchacho, si le ha bajado la flucion por de bajo de las piernas y la tiene muy hinchada? Reviéntalo, muchacho.
_D. Forcico._
Reviéntelo Vd, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Ahi se reventará solo, muchacho, que falta?
_D. Forcico._
Alzar el fardo, tatita.
69
_Güe._ Is the girth-gall of this mule well yet, boy?
_Don For._ It is, little papa.
_Güe._ And this other mule, is its backband-gall well yet?
_Don For._ It is, little papa.
_Güe._ How can it be well if it has such a stick in front of it? Where did this mule run such a stick in itself, boy?
_Don For._ In the colt yard, little papa.
_Güe._ That is what it deserved for running from one pasture to another. And the crupper-gall of this other mule, is it now well, boy?
_Don For._ It is, little papa.
_Güe._ How can it be well, boy, if the inflammation has passed down beneath the legs, and there's a great swelling there? Burst it open, boy.
_Don For._ Burst it open yourself, little papa.
_Güe._ It will burst of itself, boy. What's wanting now?
_Don For._ Heave up the pack, little papa.
70
_Güegüence._
¿Calentar el jarro?
_D. Forcico._
Alzar el fardo.
_Güegüence._
Ha! el fardo! A onde está el fardo?
_D. Forcico._
Aqui está tatita.
_Güegüence._
A mi tiempo, cuando fui muchacho, el tiempo del hilo azul, cuando me vei en aquellos campos de los Diriomos alzando aquellos fardos de guayabas,--no muchachos?
_Alguacil._
Date priesa, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Me llevas preso? Porque, amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or}?
_Alguacil._
Que te des priesa!
_Güegüence._
Dejeme acordar de mi tiempo, que con eso me consuelo. Ha! muchachos, para onde vamos, para atras ò para delante?
_D. Forcico._
Para delante, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Pues, á la guia, muchachos.
Aqui se montan los muchachos en los machos.
_Güegüence._
Muchachos, ¿no habrá un peinador para brindar el Cabildo Real del Sor Gob^{or} Tastuane?
71
_Güe._ Heat up the flask?
_Don For._ Heave up the pack.
_Güe._ O! the pack. Where is the pack?
_Don For._ Here it is, little papa.
_Güe._ In my time, when I was a boy, in the time of the blue thread, when I was in those plains of the Diriomos, lifting those packs of guayabas--isn't it so, boys?
_Alg._ Hurry up, Güegüence.
_Güe._ You take me up? What for, friend Captain Chief Alguacil?
_Alg._ I mean hurry up.
_Güe._ Let me recall old times, that I may console myself with that. Say, boys, do we go in front or behind?
_Don For._ In front, little papa.
_Güe._ Then go ahead, boys.
(The boys mount the mules.)
_Güe._ Boys, isn't there a cheeky fellow to toast the Royal Court of the Governor Tastuanes?
72
_D. Forcico._
Si, hay, tatita.
_Güegüence._
Señor Gob^{or} Tastuanes, asaneganeme Castilla en chocola de vino.
_Gobernador._
Siguale, Güegüence.
_Gobernador._
Sor. Escribano Real, asaneganeme Castilla en chocola de vino.
_Escribano._
Siguale, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Sor. Regidor Real, asaneganeme Castilla en chocola de vino.
_Regidor._
Siguale, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Amigo Cap^n Alg^l M^{or} asaneganeme Castilla en chocola de vino.
_Alguacil._
Siguale, Güegüence.
_Güegüence._
Pues nosotros, á la gorra, muchachos!
FIN.
73
_Don For._ Yes, there is, little papa.
_Güe._ Governor Tastuanes, let me offer you some Spanish wine, as a treat.
_Gov._ Follow him, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Mr. Secretary, let me offer you some Spanish wine, as a treat.
_Sec._ Follow him, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Mr. Registrar, let me offer you some Spanish wine, as a treat.
_Reg._ Follow him, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Friend Captain Chief Alguacil, let me offer you some Spanish wine, as a treat.
_Alg._ Follow him, Güegüence.
_Güe._ Then, for us, boys; we'll get it for nothing, and drink it ourselves.
END.
NOTES.
_Page 4._ The Dramatis Personæ. These have been discussed in the Introduction, page xlv. I may add that the "Regidor de Cana" may be for "Regidor Decano." Otherwise I do not see a meaning to it. The term "Alguacil" might be translated "constable," or "bailiff."
_Page 6._ The salutations exchanged between the Alguacil and Governor are repeated frequently between the characters. In the first, the words would seem to be the Nahuatl _matataca_, to beg, to pray, and _miecpialia_, to watch over, to protect; in the reply, for the latter is substituted _miequilia_, to prosper, followed by _qualli_, good, or well. The terminal _s_, in _mispiales_, _miscuales_, is probably a remnant of the Spanish _os_, you. _No pilse_ is the vocative _nopiltze_, my dear son, compounded of the inseparable possessive pronoun of the first person, _no_, and _tepiltzin_, an affectionate or reverential form, from the root _pilli_. The expression need not be taken as literally meaning relationship, as the Nahuas used the formula _nopiltzintzinê_ in addressing all persons of position. "_Ma moyolicaizin_, _Nopiltzintzine_, seas bien venido, ó ilustre Señor." Carochi, _Gram. Mex._, p. 20.
_Ya tiguala neme_, I take to be _yê tiqualli tinemi_, in which _yê_ is a particle of contraposition, and both the adjective-adverb _qualli_, and the verb _nemi_, to live, to be, are preceded by the second personal pronoun _ti_. The compound _mascamayagua_ appears to be from _maxca_, yours, literally, your thing (_mo_, your, _axca_, thing), and the optative particle _mayecuele_, equivalent to the Spanish _ojalá_; hence the meaning is "yours to command," or "at your service."
In his next words the Governor uses a phrase which is repeated by various speakers with a "damnable iteration" throughout the comedy. _Simocague_ would, in pure Nahuatl, be _ximocauoltia_, the imperative second person singular, of the compulsive form of _mocaua_, to cease, to stop, or to suspend something. The noun _mocacaua_ is the word for the pauses or intervals in music. The reason for the frequent repetition of the request, I suppose to be that in the ancient exhibitions of the drama numerous assistants joined in dancing, singing and playing on musical instruments; and when a specified ballet was to be performed, or an important conversation to be repeated, they were courteously addressed, and requested to be silent for a time. Dr. Valentine tells me that in Guatemala the term _gente principal_ is commonly used to designate the most prominent inhabitants of a pueblo.
_Necana y paltechua_, Nahuatl words, united by the Spanish conjunction. The former is Nah. _nequaniliztli_, dancing motions; the latter, elsewhere written _palechua_ and _paleguisa_, is a corruption of _paleuqui_, suitable, or appropriate things. _Hemo_, a form of Sp. _hemos_, is an antiquated expression for _tenemos_.
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.
_Redes_, "nets" of salted fish. The reference is to the method adopted by the Indians of Central America in carrying burdens. This is in a net which is suspended between the shoulders by means of a strap which passes across the forehead. Such a net is called in Nicaragua _matate_, and in pure Nahuatl, _matlauacalli_; the strap or band by which it is supported is the _mecapal_, Nah. _mecapalli_. When the material to be transported is a fluid, a jar of earthenware is suspended in the same manner. A small earthenware cup, found in Nicaragua exhibits this, and also some ingenuity of arrangement. It represents a woman, with one of these jars on her back, seated. (See p. 78.)
_Page 18._ _Ojos de sapo muerto_, lit. "eyes of a dead toad." Such eyes were considered to exercise an evil influence, and to bring bad luck.
_Page 20._ _Doblar._ This Spanish word means to toll a bell, as at a death. Güegüence chooses to understand the Alguacil's demand for _doubloons_ to be a request to _doblar_, and hastens to announce to his sons that the Alguacil has suddenly died.
_Page 24._ The coins which Güegüence names are those of the old Spanish currency. A cuarto was a brass piece, equal to a half-penny English, or one American cent (Delpino, _Spanish and English Dictionary_, 1763.) It was worth four maravedis, and eight cuartos equaled a _real de vellon_.
The phrase _maneta congon_ is of uncertain signification. I have translated the first word as the imperative form of _nextia_, to show, to disclose; _congon_ may perhaps be a corruption of _conetontli_, boy.
The Alguacil now begins his instruction, and repeats, for the benefit of Güegüence, the proper salutation which should be used in addressing the Governor. The old man pretends to misunderstand them, and makes use of other words, similar in sound, but of an insulting signification. I have not succeeded in showing, in the English text, this play upon words.
_Page 28._ _Asonesepa negualigua_, etc. This passage has proved unintelligible to me, and the rendering is little more than a guess. The phrase is the same as at the foot of p. 30.
In the midst of the conversation the Governor suddenly appears, and Güegüence turns to him with the customary and proper salutation, thus showing that his desire for instruction from the Alguacil was a sham.
On the phrase _te calas qui provincia real_, see the Notes to page 14.
_Page 30._ _Mesonero_, a person who owns or has charge of a _meson_, a house in which the poorer classes of travelers sleep, providing their own food, and that of their beasts (Dr. Valentine). For _tupile_ see Vocabulary.
_Antepeque_ or Tecoantepeque, the seaport of Guaxaca. Thomas Gage, who visited it in 1625, wrote of it: "This Port of Tecoantepeque is the chief for fishing in all that country; we met here in the ways, sometimes with fifty, sometimes with a hundred mules together, laden with nothing but salt fish for Guaxaca, the City of Angels, and Mexico."--_A new Survey of the West Indies_, p. 195. (London, 1699.)
_Dulces_ are sweetmeats of various kinds, eaten usually between meals. Squier remarks: "The Spanish taste for 'dulces' long ago passed into a proverb, but it rather surpasses itself in Nicaragua. The venders of 'dulces', generally bright Indian girls, gaily dressed, and bearing a tray, covered with the purest white napkins, and temptingly spread upon their heads, pass daily from house to house; and it is sometimes difficult, and always ungallant, to refuse purchasing something from their stock."--_Nicaragua_, Vol. I, p. 275.
The punctuation toward the foot of the page should probably be, "_no seremos guancos; no; seremos amigos_," etc. The _guipil de pecho_ is the short upper jacket worn by the women. A _guipil de pluma_ is a skirt woven of feathers. In ancient times, these garments, skillfully constructed of the beautiful plumes of tropical birds, were esteemed as the most valued articles in the treasures of kings, and the most magnificent of royal costumes. The art of feather-weaving continued for some generations after the Conquest. Indeed, as late as 1840 one family in Mechoacan preserved it. The reference to it in the text, however, is a sign of antiquity, as it has long since disappeared in Central America. See an interesting monograph on the subject by the eminent French antiquary, Ferdinand Denis.--_Arte Plumaria; Les Plumes, leur Valeur et leur Emploi dans les Arts au Mexique, au Perou, etc._ Paris, 1875.
_Page 32._ Much of this page is rendered with doubtful accuracy, as the text is very obscure.
_Page 34._ _Hay me sagua_, the same as _hoy melague_, p. 36; hoy, Spanish, now, to-day, _melaua_, Nah., to speak out, or openly.
_Page 40._ The reference to the star would seem to be that when the tent is opened a star is visible through it, which Güegüence offers to the Governor.
_Para tu cuerpo_, "an extremely filthy expression." (Dr. Valentine.)
_Page 42._ _Seran de arena._ "They may be of sand," _i. e._, they are of no value or importance.
_Yugos de papayo_, yokes of papaw wood, a soft wood, worthless for the purpose, as is also the wood of the tecomajoche, the _Plumeria_, for plows. The intimation is that Don Forcico was smart enough to cheat his customers.
The Nicaraguan plow is a wooden instrument of the most primitive construction. The following cut from Mr. Squier's work represents one.
_Page 48._ The tunes mentioned, the St. Martin, the Valona, the Porto rico and others, are still preserved in Nicaragua.
_Page 50._ _Sin tuno, sin tunal._ An obscure phrase which none of my advisers can explain. _Tuna_ is the prickly pear, _tunal_, the plant that bears it, various species of _Opuntia_. _Tuna_, in the university slang, means beggarly, reckless; "estudiantes de la tuna," mendicant or vagabond students. (See Don J. Arias Giron, _Costumbres Salamanquinas_.)
_Page 54._ When the Governor uses the Nahuatl word _mocemati_, presumptuously, Güegüence feigns to understand him to say _desmonte_, which means, in Nicaraguan Spanish, a clearing, and also the worthless waste products thrown out of a mine.
_Page 56._ Güegüence leads in several girls, and presents them to Don Forcico, which gives the pair an opportunity for some coarse jokes. _Pachaca_, stuffed up, here meant in the sense of being with child. _Iguana ô garroba_, the latter the male of the iguana, a thick tree lizard of the tropics. _Aventada_, puffed up, taken in the same sense as _pachaca_.
_Page 58._ The _machete_, which I have translated "axe," is a long, heavy knife or cutlass, in extensive use in Spanish America, for domestic and agricultural purposes. It is shown in the following cut.
_Una yunta de botijas de vino_, a yoke or brace of wine jars, probably so called from having been carried by a neck yoke, one suspended on each side.
_Page 60._ The Alguacil speaks to Güegüence of toasting, _brindar_, the Court, and Güegüence feigns to hear him speak of the _provincial_ or ecclesiastical officer in charge of the province. It is an example of assonance which is lost in the translation. Managua and Nindiri are towns in the Mangue district of Nicaragua. See the map on page xii.
The next affected misunderstanding of the old man is to take _una yunta de botijas_, a yoke of bottles, for _una yunta de bueyes_, a yoke of oxen.
_Page 62._ _Hacer amigo_, to make a friend. This is the phrase which is used by courtezans with reference to securing a male patron to pay their expenses, and for that reason Güegüence affects to be shocked by the employment of it by Don Forcico.
_Page 64._ The words of the Alguacil, "What a reputation, etc.," are with reference to the charge of Don Ambrosio, that Güegüence had taught his son evil ways.
The introduction of the mules, _i. e._, the actors dressed as mules, as described on page xlviii, is the occasion of several extremely obscene puns and allusions.
_Page 68._ _Potrero_, colt-yard, or pasture-lot, a play on the similarity of the word to _puteria_, a brothel. The estaca referred to is, of course, an obscene allusion, as is also the _fluccion por debajo de las piernas_, _i. e._, the scrotum.
_Page 70._ _El tiempo del hilo azul._ This idiom has foiled all whom I have consulted. Dr. Valentine thinks it refers to the season of the year when the verdure reappears after the drouth. F. Diego Duran states that the village conjurors were accustomed to suspend charms to the necks of boys by blue and green threads. (_Historia de las Indias de la Nueva España._ Tom. II, p. 275.) Thus understood, the time of the blue thread would be equivalent to boyhood.
_Campos de los Diriomos._ The Mangue word _Diriomo_ means the hill of abundance, or of great fertility. The locality so named is shown on the map, page xii.
_Guayaba._ This is the fruit of the guayabo tree, the _Psidium pyriferum_. It is red in color, and about the size of a small apple.
_Page 72._ _A la gorra_, literally "for the cap," an idiom meaning that one receives something merely for taking off the cap; a gratuity. Dr. Valentine, however, writes me: "I understand _nosotros á la gorra_ to mean 'then we shall have to do without.'"
VOCABULARY
OF
_Nahuatl and Provincial, Unusual or Antiquated Spanish Words_.
A
Apupujado, Sp. Worn out, played out.
Arra! "Get up! Get along!" A cry of the muleteers to their
animals.
Asa--. The various words beginning thus are compounds
commencing with the Nah. _aço_, which expresses a doubt,
or implies a question, == perhaps, maybe. Olmos says:
"Quiere decir _por ventura_, respondiendo ô
dudando."--_Gram. Nahuatl_, p. 179.
Asama--. This prefix to various words is the Nah. _açoma_,
which is a strengthened form of _aço_.--Carochi, _Gram.
Mex._, p. 181. The syllable _ma_ is also the sign of the
imperative.
Asamaquimate, Nah. A compound of _açamo_, as above, and
_mati_, to know. The _qui_ is the objective pronoun of
the third singular, him, her, it, that; but its
employment in this connection is incorrect.
Asamatimaguas, _or_ --timagas, Nah. Probably from _açoma_
(see above), and either _temachtico_, to come to teach,
or tell; or _temaca_, to give something to a person.
Asanecaneme, _see_ Asaneganeme.
Asanegaguala, _see_ Asanegualigua.
Asaneganeme, Nah. Probably _aço ni ca nemactia_, the last
word meaning to give or offer something to another,
"perhaps I may offer something," == "May I offer you
some?"
Asanegualigua, Nah. Probably _aço_ and _necuilhuia_, to
deal, bargain, treat for.
Asanese, Nah. p. 42. A compound of _aço_ and some unknown
word. Probably == _asones_, q.v.
Asetato, Sp. ant. and prov. for _sientate_, sit down.
Asiguala, Nah. From _aço_ and perhaps _qualani_, to grow
angry (?).
Asones, Nah. From _aço_, and probably _nechca_ or _nepa_,
adverbs of place and time, "these," "then," "once,"
"formerly." Sometimes it is written _à sones_, and
_asonesepa_.
Asuyungua, Nah. Compound of _aço_ and _noyuhqui_, thus, in
this manner (? Cf. Carochi, _Gram. Mex._ p. 190).
Ayugama, Nah. == _ayoccampa_, nowhere, not at all, never.
Azetagago, Nah. Apparently a corrupt form from _acicacaqui_,
to understand.
B
Batuchito, Sp. prov. A small box, in which money, etc., is
kept.
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The Güegüence; A Comedy Ballet in the Nahuatl-Spanish Dialect of NicaraguaChapter IV: Introduction: § 1. The Nahuas and Mangues of Nicaragua (3)
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