not vainly do I sing (his praises) coming forth in the garb of our
ancestors; I shine; I glitter.

2. He is a terror to the Mixteca; he alone destroyed the
Picha-Huasteca, he conquered them.

3. The Dart-Hurler is an example to the city, as he sets to work. He
who commands in battle is called the representative of my God.

4. When he shouts aloud he inspires great terror, the divine hurler,
the god turning himself in the combat, the divine hurler, the god
turning himself in the combat.

5. Amanteca, gather yourselves together with me in the house of war
against your enemies, gather yourselves together with me.

6. Pipiteca, gather yourselves together with me in the house of war
against your enemies, gather yourselves together with me.


_Notes._

Huitzilopochtli was the well-known war-god of the Azteca, whose
functions are described by Sahagun (_Historia_, Lib. I., cap. 1) and
many other writers. The hymn here given is probably the _tlaxotecuyotl_,
which was chanted at the celebration of his feast in the fifteenth month
of the Mexican calendar (see Sahagun, _Historia_, Lib. II., cap. 34).
The word means "his glory be established." It was commenced at sunset
and repeated till sunrise.