The song before us appears to be a recitation calling on a number of the
Nahua divinities.

1. "The flower in my heart" is a metaphorical expression for song.

2. _Tonan_, "Our Mother"; _Tlazolteotl_, the goddess of lascivious
love, _Venus impudica_. The verb _yecoa_ appears to have its early
signification, expressing carnal connection.

3. _Centeotl_, god of maize and fertility.

8. The flowers referred to are the youths and maidens who die young.

9. The house of the ball player is the tomb.

11. This verse is very obscure and is obviously corrupt. It contains
the only Spanish word in the text of these hymns--_obispo_--a word
including two letters, _b_ and _s_, not in the Nahuatl alphabet.

12. The woman referred to is Xochiquetzal. See Hymn IX.




[Illustration: PRIEST OF XIPPE TOTEC, DRINKING AND PLAYING ON A DRUM.
HYMN XV.]