Picture
Nahua man from the Florentine Codex

Ancient Nahuatl Poetry 
Translated by D. Brinton, 1887
XXII

Tico, tico, ticoti, tico, tico, ticoti, and then the song ends with totoco, totoco.

1. In the place of tears I the singer watch my flowers; they are in my hand; they intoxicate my soul and my song, as I walk alone with them, with my sad soul among them.

2. In this spot, where the herbage is like sweet ointment and green as the turquoise and emerald, I think upon my song, holding the beauteous flowers in my hand, etc. (as in v. 1).

3. In this spot of turquoise and emerald, I think upon the beauteous songs, beauteous flowers; let us rejoice now, dear friends and children, for life is not long upon earth.

4. I shall hasten forth, I shall go to the sweet songs, the sweet flowers, dear friends and children.

5. O he! I cried aloud; O he! I rained down flowers as I left.

6. Let us go forth anywhere; I the singer shall find and bring forth the flowers; let us be glad while we live; listen to my song.

7. I the poet cry out a song for a place of joy, a glorious song which descends to Mictlan, and there turns about and comes forth again.

8. I seek neither vestment nor riches, O children, but a song for a place of joy. 
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XXII

Tico, tico, ticoti, tico, tico, ticoti, and then the song ends with totoco, totoco.

1. In the place of tears I the singer watch my flowers; they are in my hand; they intoxicate my soul and my song, as I walk alone with them, with my sad soul among them.

2. In this spot, where the herbage is like sweet ointment and green as the turquoise and emerald, I think upon my song, holding the beauteous flowers in my hand, etc. (as in v. 1).

3. In this spot of turquoise and emerald, I think upon the beauteous songs, beauteous flowers; let us rejoice now, dear friends and children, for life is not long upon earth.

4. I shall hasten forth, I shall go to the sweet songs, the sweet flowers, dear friends and children.
5. O he! I cried aloud; O he! I rained down flowers as I left.

6. Let us go forth anywhere; I the singer shall find and bring forth the flowers; let us be glad while we live; listen to my song.
7. I the poet cry out a song for a place of joy, a glorious song which descends to Mictlan, and there turns about and comes forth again.
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8. I seek neither vestment nor riches, O children, but a song for a place of joy. 
​
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