From award-winning author, editor, and translator Ilan Stavans, comes a one-of-kind translation of the timeless, poignant poetry of the legendary Aztec ruler, Nezahualcoyotl.

A king, a warrior, and a poet, Nezahualcoyotl was a revolutionary leader far ahead of his time. Born in 1402, Nezahualcoyotl-meaning 'hungry coyote' in the Uto-Aztecan language of Nahuatl-led the city-state of Texcoco through its "age of enlightenment." He is remembered for having challenged long held beliefs, encouraged the development of modern ideas of education and morality, and cultivated critical alliances. His four decade reign is regarded as one of the most transformative and prosperous periods of the Aztec empire. Today, he is a legend in Mexico, seen as a mysterious, powerful, anticolonial figure.

This epic collection of songs and poems, full of grief and anguish, was originally written collectively by Nezahualcoyotl and members of his court in Nahuatl. Stunningly retold by renowned writer, editor, and critic Ilan Stavans, these seventeen powerful poems are now made available to English readers for the very first time. Lamentations of Nezahualcoyotl: Nahuatl Poems crafts a remarkable portrait of the life of the man who went from a young warrior in exile to one of the most important figures in Aztec history. Sorrowful and unforgettable, it is destined to become a classic.