"teuhtlilli" poems - Hello Poetry

TEUHTLILLI [aside] The unknown guests which call me to the east Are such a hoax-like sighting as may lend To superstition credence; rumors, weight. I fear some rash infection has arrived. Reports pour in of towers on the waves, Maneuvered by a spectral race of men, The truth of which I must submit to test. And so it goes: The fleet of hueless troops Approaches from the seashore as I speak. Now, after weeks of waiting in the sticks, At last, my first glimpse of these lily-skins. Gods grant that they behave. Enter CORTÉS, ALVARADO, SANDOVAL, AGUILAR. AGUILAR Behold, Cortés, Your foremost model of a Mexican. TEUHTLILLI Hail, friends of Mexico! Which is your chief? Enter MALINALLI. CORTÉS Well, Aguilar? AGUILAR He speaks a nonsense tongue. We’re too far north. I can no longer help. TEUHTLILLI I ask again: Where is your leader, friends? MALINALLI [aside] (Now, silly girl, or never.) [indicating Cortés] This is he. TEUHTLILLI What’s this? A mediating concubine? AGUILAR You speak his language, girl, as well as mine? CORTÉS What, will this slave girl double-cross us all? MALINALLI Our humble chieftain greets your emperor And many times does kiss those regal hands. TEUHTLILLI That’s well. AGUILAR That’s well! CORTÉS This all seems to be well. AGUILAR Rejoice, Cortés! This maid is double-tongued. She’ll translate his words into my Chontal- From him to her, from her to me, to you. CORTÉS Then let us test these true but tedious links. MALINALLI You were saying, sir? TEUHTLILLI How many braves trail in your train? MALINALLI How many warriors tread in your wake? AGUILAR How many soldiers shadow you? CORTÉS Five thousand. AGUILAR Uh, five thousand. MALINALLI They’ve a thousand, sir. TEUHTLILLI I’ll see your thousand and I’ll raise you two. [to a servant] Deploy two thousand men to build them huts, [aside] But crammed with warlocks, witch doctors, and spies. Exit a servant. AGUILAR This works well. CORTÉS Thus the fragile chain is forged. Friend, you must look upon our advent here Not with unease, but as a world of good.

0

Mar 28, 2017

Mar 28, 2017 at 9:27 PM UTC

david-betten

The Floral War 2:7:1-41

TEUHTLILLI [aside] The unknown guests which call me to the east Are such a hoax-like sighting as may lend To superstition credence; rumors, weight. I fear some rash infection has arrived. Reports pour in of towers on the waves, Maneuvered by a spectral race of men, The truth of which I must submit to test. And so it goes: The fleet of hueless troops Approaches from the seashore as I speak. Now, after weeks of waiting in the sticks, At last, my first glimpse of these lily-skins. Gods grant that they behave. Enter CORTÉS, ALVARADO, SANDOVAL, AGUILAR. AGUILAR Behold, Cortés, Your foremost model of a Mexican. TEUHTLILLI Hail, friends of Mexico! Which is your chief? Enter MALINALLI. CORTÉS Well, Aguilar? AGUILAR He speaks a nonsense tongue. We’re too far north. I can no longer help. TEUHTLILLI I ask again: Where is your leader, friends? MALINALLI [aside] (Now, silly girl, or never.) [indicating Cortés] This is he. TEUHTLILLI What’s this? A mediating concubine? AGUILAR You speak his language, girl, as well as mine? CORTÉS What, will this slave girl double-cross us all? MALINALLI Our humble chieftain greets your emperor And many times does kiss those regal hands. TEUHTLILLI That’s well. AGUILAR That’s well! CORTÉS This all seems to be well. AGUILAR Rejoice, Cortés! This maid is double-tongued. She’ll translate his words into my Chontal- From him to her, from her to me, to you. CORTÉS Then let us test these true but tedious links. MALINALLI You were saying, sir? TEUHTLILLI How many braves trail in your train? MALINALLI How many warriors tread in your wake? AGUILAR How many soldiers shadow you? CORTÉS Five thousand. AGUILAR Uh, five thousand. MALINALLI They’ve a thousand, sir. TEUHTLILLI I’ll see your thousand and I’ll raise you two. [to a servant] Deploy two thousand men to build them huts, [aside] But crammed with warlocks, witch doctors, and spies. Exit a servant. AGUILAR This works well. CORTÉS Thus the fragile chain is forged. Friend, you must look upon our advent here Not with unease, but as a world of good.

63

TEUHTLILLI Then down to brass tacks: These wan wanderers Indeed match those who skimmed our shores last year. See- Here’s my schoolyard scribbling of their looks: MOTECUHZOMA What are these? Iron pipes on lumbering wheels? TEUHTLILLI A roaring, dragon-mouthed machine of war, Whose entrails discharge hails of shooting stars. When leveled at a mountain’s rocky crags, The cliff face cracked, disgorging its rich veins, Then, splintered into chips a knotted pine. Their porters picked their teeth with the remains, Like sullied spirits in a sulfurous haze. MOTECUHZOMA What is this shambling menagerie? TEUHTLILLI Some over-magnifying strain of hound, Whose urine-yellow eyes flash sparks of flame, And lolling tongues lob down to glut for blood. MOTECUHZOMA And these? Some hybrid hash of man and stag? TEUHTLILLI No, sire, but merely stilted, toothy does That suffer men to play at pick-a-back. Their plate-wide hooves dig wells at each impress, And lofty eyes peep over the city walls. MOTECUHZOMA What is their destination? TEUHTLILLI Here, my lord. They’re full of inquiries, but send you gifts: These chokers of green glass- Quite lovely things. MOTECUHZOMA What is the subject of their questions? TEUHTLILLI You, my lord.

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Jun 11, 2017

Jun 11, 2017 at 4:06 PM UTC

david-betten

The Floral War 2:8:15-38

TEUHTLILLI Then down to brass tacks: These wan wanderers Indeed match those who skimmed our shores last year. See- Here’s my schoolyard scribbling of their looks: MOTECUHZOMA What are these? Iron pipes on lumbering wheels? TEUHTLILLI A roaring, dragon-mouthed machine of war, Whose entrails discharge hails of shooting stars. When leveled at a mountain’s rocky crags, The cliff face cracked, disgorging its rich veins, Then, splintered into chips a knotted pine. Their porters picked their teeth with the remains, Like sullied spirits in a sulfurous haze. MOTECUHZOMA What is this shambling menagerie? TEUHTLILLI Some over-magnifying strain of hound, Whose urine-yellow eyes flash sparks of flame, And lolling tongues lob down to glut for blood. MOTECUHZOMA And these? Some hybrid hash of man and stag? TEUHTLILLI No, sire, but merely stilted, toothy does That suffer men to play at pick-a-back. Their plate-wide hooves dig wells at each impress, And lofty eyes peep over the city walls. MOTECUHZOMA What is their destination? TEUHTLILLI Here, my lord. They’re full of inquiries, but send you gifts: These chokers of green glass- Quite lovely things. MOTECUHZOMA What is the subject of their questions? TEUHTLILLI You, my lord.

35

MOTECUHZOMA It is their chief that most perplexes me. Send him my greeting, and convey to him The gifts I have equipped for your encounter: A turquoise serpent mask, a pearl-decked shield With feathered fringe as gossamer as foam, I’ll send the rain god’s legendary headdress Of quetzal feathers, green as sprouting grass, Fine, snail-shell collars, dainty golden bells, A saffron helmet chased with dazzling stars, Sandals obsidian-black- What riches more, I have not breath in this old chest to list. TEUHTLILLI By your good will, I might unfold for him The vestments which are worn by several gods: Tezcatlipoca’s mirror, and Tlaloc’s jades, Huitzilopochtli’s gilded helm, and such. If he reach straight for the regalia Of Quetzalcoatl- Well, who need say more? MOTECUHZOMA A thoughtful move. And, if not gods themselves, They yet may be our wandering ancestors. See if their speaker is the picture of A homeward-bound, long-absent patriarch. Especially take note if he admits, Or claims, he is your rightful king. What more? TEUHTLILLI Should I purvey a spread of birds and game, And mark how fluently he dines or not? If he is from our far-flung lineage, He ought to be familiar with our fare. MOTECUHZOMA Do so. But if, by chance, he shuns your board, And does not hanker for such bill of fare, But rumbles with a yen for human flesh, Why, then allow yourself to be consumed. I will ensure the welfare of your wife, And guide your children. TEUHTLILLI As you wish, my lord. Exit.

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Jul 16, 2017

Jul 16, 2017 at 1:24 PM UTC

david-betten

The Floral War 2:8:59-91

MOTECUHZOMA It is their chief that most perplexes me. Send him my greeting, and convey to him The gifts I have equipped for your encounter: A turquoise serpent mask, a pearl-decked shield With feathered fringe as gossamer as foam, I’ll send the rain god’s legendary headdress Of quetzal feathers, green as sprouting grass, Fine, snail-shell collars, dainty golden bells, A saffron helmet chased with dazzling stars, Sandals obsidian-black- What riches more, I have not breath in this old chest to list. TEUHTLILLI By your good will, I might unfold for him The vestments which are worn by several gods: Tezcatlipoca’s mirror, and Tlaloc’s jades, Huitzilopochtli’s gilded helm, and such. If he reach straight for the regalia Of Quetzalcoatl- Well, who need say more? MOTECUHZOMA A thoughtful move. And, if not gods themselves, They yet may be our wandering ancestors. See if their speaker is the picture of A homeward-bound, long-absent patriarch. Especially take note if he admits, Or claims, he is your rightful king. What more? TEUHTLILLI Should I purvey a spread of birds and game, And mark how fluently he dines or not? If he is from our far-flung lineage, He ought to be familiar with our fare. MOTECUHZOMA Do so. But if, by chance, he shuns your board, And does not hanker for such bill of fare, But rumbles with a yen for human flesh, Why, then allow yourself to be consumed. I will ensure the welfare of your wife, And guide your children. TEUHTLILLI As you wish, my lord. Exit.

39

CORTÉS Friend, you must look upon our advent here Not with unease, but as a world of good. AGUILAR [simultaneously] . . . but as a world of good. My potent monarch rules beyond the seas, And rumors tease his ears of Mexico. I come to you as his ambassador, MALINALLI [simultaneously] . . . to you as his ambassador, With gifts I must in person grant your lord, And bring him tidings that will save his life. TEUHTLILLI [aside] (Fresh off the boat, and asks for audience!) My ruler also is a busy king, Like yours, and he will send for his desires. MALINALLI [simultaneously] . . . he will send for his desires. He’s locked in caucus from his island throne: The teeming, lacustrine metropolis Of Mexico, called also, “Cactus Rock,” AGUILAR [simultaneously] . . . called also, “Cactus Rock,” Whose minions by the millions stir with drive, And fructify the land on floating farms. CORTÉS A land with gold in hand? TEUHTLILLI By heaps and mounds. CORTÉS “Why ask?” you’ll ask. I ask because I know That precious metal heals an arrant heart. My men are languishing from that complaint. TEUHTLILLI We have the cure to purge bad-hearted men. [aside] (By god, his helmet flashes on my mind: Dead ringer to the one our war god wears.) [to him] May I, sir, as a token of goodwill, Present my lord your brilliant helm? CORTÉS You may, If you return it filled with grains of gold. We’ll test by trial if this New World’s veins Are worth the circulation of the Old. Come sir, we’ll further parley by the fire. Escort this minister to my retreat. Exit Alvarado, Sandoval, Teuhtlilli, and servant. Well now, young lady. What whelp have we here? AGUILAR Your name, child. MALINALLI Malinalli. AGUILAR Ah, Malina. CORTÉS Well! Marina, then. I’ll sponsor you, in my kind custody. Mellifluous and honey-throated dame, Your golden tongue must buy us a good name. All exit.

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Apr 6, 2017

Apr 6, 2017 at 1:15 PM UTC

david-betten

The Floral War 2:7:40-76

CORTÉS Friend, you must look upon our advent here Not with unease, but as a world of good. AGUILAR [simultaneously] . . . but as a world of good. My potent monarch rules beyond the seas, And rumors tease his ears of Mexico. I come to you as his ambassador, MALINALLI [simultaneously] . . . to you as his ambassador, With gifts I must in person grant your lord, And bring him tidings that will save his life. TEUHTLILLI [aside] (Fresh off the boat, and asks for audience!) My ruler also is a busy king, Like yours, and he will send for his desires. MALINALLI [simultaneously] . . . he will send for his desires. He’s locked in caucus from his island throne: The teeming, lacustrine metropolis Of Mexico, called also, “Cactus Rock,” AGUILAR [simultaneously] . . . called also, “Cactus Rock,” Whose minions by the millions stir with drive, And fructify the land on floating farms. CORTÉS A land with gold in hand? TEUHTLILLI By heaps and mounds. CORTÉS “Why ask?” you’ll ask. I ask because I know That precious metal heals an arrant heart. My men are languishing from that complaint. TEUHTLILLI We have the cure to purge bad-hearted men. [aside] (By god, his helmet flashes on my mind: Dead ringer to the one our war god wears.) [to him] May I, sir, as a token of goodwill, Present my lord your brilliant helm? CORTÉS You may, If you return it filled with grains of gold. We’ll test by trial if this New World’s veins Are worth the circulation of the Old. Come sir, we’ll further parley by the fire. Escort this minister to my retreat. Exit Alvarado, Sandoval, Teuhtlilli, and servant. Well now, young lady. What whelp have we here? AGUILAR Your name, child. MALINALLI Malinalli. AGUILAR Ah, Malina. CORTÉS Well! Marina, then. I’ll sponsor you, in my kind custody. Mellifluous and honey-throated dame, Your golden tongue must buy us a good name. All exit.

49

MOTECUHZOMA Unpack your thoughts. Be free and frank with me. Pretend yourself my junior cabinetman, For my own court is often at a loss. What vague agenda does this fleet announce? TEUHTLILLI They masquerade as peaceful legates sent To haggle wares and flaunt their god, no more. MOTECUHZOMA Ridiculous! TEUHTLILLI My sentiments as well. MOTECUHZOMA Then what’s your own misgivings of their aim? Don’t gild the pill for me. Who are these men? TEUHTLILLI I’d bank they’re vigorous, new, cruel foes, Now swiftly winging from the Eastern Sea To spoil, maraud, shed sheathes and buccaneer. We’ve Mayan authority to warrant this, Hence their determination for the fray. MOTECUHZOMA But I have poor rapport with Mayaland. What do my coastal subjects make of this? TEUHTLILLI They call them minor, maverick deities, As yet unknown, yet fancied devilish. MOTECUHZOMA And what if they will prove, as prophesied, Our long-lost rulers coming home? TEUHTLILLI Perhaps.

0

Jul 15, 2017

Jul 15, 2017 at 2:13 PM UTC

david-betten

The Floral War 2:8:39-58

MOTECUHZOMA Unpack your thoughts. Be free and frank with me. Pretend yourself my junior cabinetman, For my own court is often at a loss. What vague agenda does this fleet announce? TEUHTLILLI They masquerade as peaceful legates sent To haggle wares and flaunt their god, no more. MOTECUHZOMA Ridiculous! TEUHTLILLI My sentiments as well. MOTECUHZOMA Then what’s your own misgivings of their aim? Don’t gild the pill for me. Who are these men? TEUHTLILLI I’d bank they’re vigorous, new, cruel foes, Now swiftly winging from the Eastern Sea To spoil, maraud, shed sheathes and buccaneer. We’ve Mayan authority to warrant this, Hence their determination for the fray. MOTECUHZOMA But I have poor rapport with Mayaland. What do my coastal subjects make of this? TEUHTLILLI They call them minor, maverick deities, As yet unknown, yet fancied devilish. MOTECUHZOMA And what if they will prove, as prophesied, Our long-lost rulers coming home? TEUHTLILLI Perhaps.

31

MOTECUHZOMA If, past this moment, you persist in lies, Know I shall bury you beneath my halls, Pull down your house till sludge seeps through the planks, And wipe your family name from off the earth, Yea, to the unborn fragments in the womb. Now, wouldn’t you recant this little fib? FISHERMAN Forgive me lord, but what I tell is truth. TLACAELEL Most like it is. MOTECUHZOMA Then know, you brave, bold slave, These spectral archipelagos you saw, Were giantlike canoes, with alien crew. He gestures to a servant, who produces a trunk. One year ago, the waves cast up this trunk Of jewels, foreign frocks, and silver swords: Most like, the precious jetsam of this launch. FISHERMAN May my aviso aid your eminence. MOTECUHZOMA One see him nobly boarded in our suites. Exit Servant with the Fisherman. Enter a Majordomo. TLACAELEL Well, watch, where are your hocus-pocus wards? MAJORDOMO My lord, command that I be cut to pieces or whatever you wish, for you should know that when I reached the cell, there was no one there. I had my best sentries there, trustworthy men I’ve known for years, but none of them heard the sorcerers escape. TLACAELEL Then how, pray tell me, have they flown the coop? MAJORDOMO Perhaps they flapped away. TLACAELEL What, gallows-meat? MAJORDOMO They can sprinkle themselves with fern-spores, and shimmer into invisibility. TLACAELEL Buzz, buzz! These twice-told tales upend my trust. Rope’s end- MOTECUHZOMA No. Suffer him. TLACAELEL As you see fit. MOTECUHZOMA Some say such wizards take wing every night, And soar unto the fringes of the earth. TLACAELEL His majesty’s broad magnanimity Has spared you this time, turnkey, but repair. Not all wards will be such skilled hide-and-seeks. MOTECUHZOMA Now: Torch the hovels of their families, And witness if those new lighthouses’ beacons Will call their wandering rooks home to re-roost. Exit Majordomo. TLACAELEL And what of these vast dugouts? MOTECUHZOMA Time will tell. Our steward Teuhtlilli eastward creeps, To see what tricks are offered from the deeps. They exit.

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Nov 30, 2016

Nov 30, 2016 at 1:21 PM UTC

david-betten

The Floral War 2:5:25-61

MOTECUHZOMA If, past this moment, you persist in lies, Know I shall bury you beneath my halls, Pull down your house till sludge seeps through the planks, And wipe your family name from off the earth, Yea, to the unborn fragments in the womb. Now, wouldn’t you recant this little fib? FISHERMAN Forgive me lord, but what I tell is truth. TLACAELEL Most like it is. MOTECUHZOMA Then know, you brave, bold slave, These spectral archipelagos you saw, Were giantlike canoes, with alien crew. He gestures to a servant, who produces a trunk. One year ago, the waves cast up this trunk Of jewels, foreign frocks, and silver swords: Most like, the precious jetsam of this launch. FISHERMAN May my aviso aid your eminence. MOTECUHZOMA One see him nobly boarded in our suites. Exit Servant with the Fisherman. Enter a Majordomo. TLACAELEL Well, watch, where are your hocus-pocus wards? MAJORDOMO My lord, command that I be cut to pieces or whatever you wish, for you should know that when I reached the cell, there was no one there. I had my best sentries there, trustworthy men I’ve known for years, but none of them heard the sorcerers escape. TLACAELEL Then how, pray tell me, have they flown the coop? MAJORDOMO Perhaps they flapped away. TLACAELEL What, gallows-meat? MAJORDOMO They can sprinkle themselves with fern-spores, and shimmer into invisibility. TLACAELEL Buzz, buzz! These twice-told tales upend my trust. Rope’s end- MOTECUHZOMA No. Suffer him. TLACAELEL As you see fit. MOTECUHZOMA Some say such wizards take wing every night, And soar unto the fringes of the earth. TLACAELEL His majesty’s broad magnanimity Has spared you this time, turnkey, but repair. Not all wards will be such skilled hide-and-seeks. MOTECUHZOMA Now: Torch the hovels of their families, And witness if those new lighthouses’ beacons Will call their wandering rooks home to re-roost. Exit Majordomo. TLACAELEL And what of these vast dugouts? MOTECUHZOMA Time will tell. Our steward Teuhtlilli eastward creeps, To see what tricks are offered from the deeps. They exit.

58

TEUHTLILLI My family looks for me. Why, then, do I, Here in this hideous House of Serpents, wait? A hellish bestiary of constrictors. But now, behold where, from the grisly gate, Our golden eagle lights like daybreak’s rays. Enter MOTECUHZOMA. MOTECUHZOMA Well met, bright steward. Rise, and meet me, sir. TEUHTLILLI When might a mortal’s eye behold the sun? MOTECUHZOMA When, sir? Why, when he dwindles in the west, When, blushing red and swollen full with care, A man might ogle with unwinking eyes Before his flickering orb of day winks out. Look up, my scout. I wish your sights were high, And eyed a brighter orbit for your liege. TEUHTLILLI I do, your majesty. MOTECUHZOMA Come, your report.

0

Jun 3, 2017

Jun 3, 2017 at 1:49 PM UTC

david-betten

The Floral War 2:8:1-14

TEUHTLILLI My family looks for me. Why, then, do I, Here in this hideous House of Serpents, wait? A hellish bestiary of constrictors. But now, behold where, from the grisly gate, Our golden eagle lights like daybreak’s rays. Enter MOTECUHZOMA. MOTECUHZOMA Well met, bright steward. Rise, and meet me, sir. TEUHTLILLI When might a mortal’s eye behold the sun? MOTECUHZOMA When, sir? Why, when he dwindles in the west, When, blushing red and swollen full with care, A man might ogle with unwinking eyes Before his flickering orb of day winks out. Look up, my scout. I wish your sights were high, And eyed a brighter orbit for your liege. TEUHTLILLI I do, your majesty. MOTECUHZOMA Come, your report.

21

[May 1; In a Mexican-controlled territory on the Gulf Coast.] Enter AGUILAR and MALINALLI. AGUILAR Blood. MALINALLI Sangre. AGUILAR Gold. MALINALLI Oro. AGUILAR War. MALINALLI Guerra. AGUILAR God. MALINALLI Dios. Yo soy Marina. Yo soy traducidora. Enough lessons, Aguilar! AGUILAR Cortés insists you must perfect his tongue. I’ll have succeeded once I’m obsolete. MALINALLI Aguilar, Sometimes, I think of that Guerrero. AGUILAR Why? MALINALLI He entered my world; now I enter his. At first, a forced exchange, but in the end, We both embrace our foster families, And shall go as enigmas to our graves. AGUILAR Hush now, here comes that meddling Mexican. (Enter TEUHTLILLI, with two attendants.) MALINALLI Where do you come from? TEUHTLILLI From where do I come? From Mexico. MALINALLI You may, or you may not. Perhaps you tease. I know we all would like To claim that we’re from Mexico these days. TEUHTLILLI I come to greet my sovereign, who is here. MALINALLI [to Aguilar] He says he’s here to meet his sovereign lord. AGUILAR You err, my dear. He must’ve said, “your lord.” MALINALLI In fact, he claims his king is here with us. AGUILAR Captain, come forth! Our emissary’s here. And, sir- I’d look as kingly as you can.

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Aug 18, 2023

Aug 18, 2023 at 10:27 PM UTC

david-betten

The Floral War 3.1.1-27

[May 1; In a Mexican-controlled territory on the Gulf Coast.] Enter AGUILAR and MALINALLI. AGUILAR Blood. MALINALLI Sangre. AGUILAR Gold. MALINALLI Oro. AGUILAR War. MALINALLI Guerra. AGUILAR God. MALINALLI Dios. Yo soy Marina. Yo soy traducidora. Enough lessons, Aguilar! AGUILAR Cortés insists you must perfect his tongue. I’ll have succeeded once I’m obsolete. MALINALLI Aguilar, Sometimes, I think of that Guerrero. AGUILAR Why? MALINALLI He entered my world; now I enter his. At first, a forced exchange, but in the end, We both embrace our foster families, And shall go as enigmas to our graves. AGUILAR Hush now, here comes that meddling Mexican. (Enter TEUHTLILLI, with two attendants.) MALINALLI Where do you come from? TEUHTLILLI From where do I come? From Mexico. MALINALLI You may, or you may not. Perhaps you tease. I know we all would like To claim that we’re from Mexico these days. TEUHTLILLI I come to greet my sovereign, who is here. MALINALLI [to Aguilar] He says he’s here to meet his sovereign lord. AGUILAR You err, my dear. He must’ve said, “your lord.” MALINALLI In fact, he claims his king is here with us. AGUILAR Captain, come forth! Our emissary’s here. And, sir- I’d look as kingly as you can.

44