The Güegüence; A Comedy Ballet in the Nahuatl-Spanish Dialect of Nicaragua
Part 7
_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?
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_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?
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_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
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_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?
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_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?
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_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?
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_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.
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_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.
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_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.
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_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.
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_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.
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_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?
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_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?
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_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.
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_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.