<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=472321" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>Vida's Game Of Chess</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">TRANSLATED</div><div style="margin:10px 0">ARMIES of box that sportively engage<br>And mimic real battles in their rage,<br>Pleased I recount; how, smit with glory's charms,<br>Two mighty Monarchs met in adverse arms,<br>Sable and white; assist me to explore, <br>Ye Serian Nymphs, what ne'er was sung before.<br>No path appears: yet resolute I stray<br>Where youth undaunted bids me force my way.<br>O'er rocks and cliffs while I the task pursue,<br>Guide me, ye Nymphs, with your unerring clue. <br>For you the rise of this diversion know,<br>You first were pleased in Italy to show<br>This studious sport; from Scacchis was its name,<br>The pleasing record of your Sister's fame.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">When Jove through Ethiopia's parch'd extent <br>To grace the nuptials of old Ocean went,<br>Each god was there; and mirth and joy around<br>To shores remote diffused their happy sound.<br>Then when their hunger and their thirst no more<br>Claim'd their attention, and the feast was o'er; <br>Ocean with pastime to divert the thought,<br>Commands a painted table to be brought.<br>Sixty-four spaces fill the chequer'd square;<br>Eight in each rank eight equal limits share.<br>Alike their form, but different are their dyes, <br>They fade alternate, and alternate rise,<br>White after black; such various stains as those<br>The shelving backs of tortoises disclose.<br>Then to the gods that mute and wondering sate,<br>You see (says he) the field prepared for fate. <br>Here will the little armies please your sight,<br>With adverse colours hurrying to the fight:<br>On which so oft, with silent sweet surprise,<br>The Nymphs and Nereids used to feast their eyes,<br>And all the neighbours of the hoary deep, <br>When calm the sea, and winds were lull'd asleep<br>But see, the mimic heroes tread the board;<br>He said, and straightway from an urn he pour'd<br>The sculptured box, that neatly seem'd to ape<br>The graceful figure of a human shape:-- <br>Equal the strength and number of each foe,<br>Sixteen appear'd like jet, sixteen like snow.<br>As their shape varies various is the name,<br>Different their posts, nor is their strength the same.<br>There might you see two Kings with equal pride <br>Gird on their arms, their Consorts by their side;<br>Here the Foot-warriors glowing after fame,<br>There prancing Knights and dexterous Archers came<br>And Elephants, that on their backs sustain<br>Vast towers of war, and fill and shake the plain. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">And now both hosts, preparing for the storm<br>Of adverse battle, their encampments form.<br>In the fourth space, and on the farthest line,<br>Directly opposite the Monarchs shine;<br>The swarthy on white ground, on sable stands <br>The silver King; and then they send commands.<br>Nearest to these the Queens exert their might;<br>One the left side, and t'other guards the right:<br>Where each, by her respective armour known.<br>Chooses the colour that is like her own. <br>Then the young Archers, two that snowy-white<br>Bend the tough yew, and two as black as night;<br>(Greece call'd them Mars's favourites heretofore,<br>From their delight in war, and thirst of gore).<br>These on each side the Monarch and his Queen <br>Surround obedient; next to these are seen<br>The crested Knights in golden armour gay;<br>Their steeds by turns curvet, or snort or neigh.<br>In either army on each distant wing<br>Two mighty Elephants their castles bring, <br>Bulwarks immense! and then at last combine<br>Eight of the Foot to form the second line,<br>The vanguard to the King and Queen; from far<br>Prepared to open all the fate of war.<br>So moved the boxen hosts, each double-lined, <br>Their different colours floating in the wind:<br>As if an army of the Gauls should go,<br>With their white standards, o'er the Alpine snow<br>To meet in rigid fight on scorching sands<br>The sun-burnt Moors and Memnon's swarthy bands. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Then Father Ocean thus; you see them here,<br>Celestial powers, what troops, what camps appear.<br>Learn now the sev'ral orders of the fray,<br>For e'en these arms their stated laws obey.<br>To lead the fight, the Kings from all their bands<br>Choose whom they please to bear their great commands. <br>Should a black hero first to battle go,<br>Instant a white one guards against the blow;<br>But only one at once can charge or shun the foe.<br>Their gen'ral purpose on one scheme is bent, <br>So to besiege the King within the tent,<br>That there remains no place by subtle flight<br>From danger free; and that decides the fight.<br>Meanwhile, howe'er, the sooner to destroy<br>Th' imperial Prince, remorseless they employ <br>Their swords in blood; and whosoever dare<br>Oppose their vengeance, in the ruin share.<br>Fate thins their camp; the parti-coloured field<br>Widens apace, as they o'ercome or yield,<br>But the proud victor takes the captive's post; <br>There fronts the fury of th' avenging host<br>One single shock: and (should he ward the blow),<br>May then retire at pleasure from the foe.<br>The Foot alone (so their harsh laws ordain)<br>When they proceed can ne'er return again. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">But neither all rush on alike to prove<br>The terror of their arms: The Foot must move<br>Directly on, and but a single square;<br>Yet may these heroes, when they first prepare<br>To mix in combat on the bloody mead, <br>Double their sally, and two steps proceed;<br>But when they wound, their swords they subtly guide<br>With aim oblique, and slanting pierce his side.<br>But the great Indian beasts, whose backs sustain<br>Vast turrets arm'd, when on the redd'ning plain <br>They join in all the terror of the fight,<br>Forward or backward, to the left or right,<br>Run furious, and impatient of confine<br>Scour through the field, and threat the farthest line.<br>Yet must they ne'er obliquely aim their blows;<br>That only manner is allow'd to those <br>Whom Mars has favour'd most, who bend the stubborn bows.<br>These glancing sidewards in a straight career,<br>Yet each confin'd to their respective sphere,<br>Or white or black, can send th' unerring dart <br>Wing'd with swift death to pierce through ev'ry part.<br>The fiery steed, regardless of the reins,<br>Comes prancing on; but sullenly disdains<br>The path direct, and boldly wheeling round,<br>Leaps o'er a double space at ev'ry bound: <br>And shifts from white or black to diff'rent colour'd ground.<br>But the fierce Queen, whom dangers ne'er dismay,<br>The strength and terror of the bloody day,<br>In a straight line spreads her destruction wide,<br>To left or right, before, behind, aside. <br>Yet may she never with a circling course<br>Sweep to the battle like the fretful Horse;<br>But unconfin'd may at her pleasure stray,<br>If neither friend nor foe block up the way;<br>For to o'erleap a warrior, 'tis decreed <br>Those only dare who curb the snorting steed.<br>With greater caution and majestic state<br>The warlike Monarchs in the scene of fate<br>Direct their motions, since for these appear<br>Zealous each hope, and anxious ev'ry fear. <br>While the King's safe, with resolution stern<br>They clasp their arms; but should a sudden turn<br>Make him a captive, instantly they yield,<br>Resolved to share his fortune in the field.<br>He moves on slow; with reverence profound <br>His faithful troops encompass him around,<br>And oft, to break some instant fatal scheme,<br>Rush to their fates, their sov'reign to redeem;<br>While he, unanxious where to wound the foe,<br>Need only shift and guard against a blow. <br>But none, however, can presume t' appear<br>Within his reach, but must his vengeance fear;<br>For he on ev'ry side his terror throws;<br>But when he changes from his first repose,<br>Moves but one step, most awfully sedate, <br>Or idly roving, or intent on fate.<br>These are the sev'ral and establish'd laws:<br>Now see how each maintains his bloody cause.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Here paused the god, but (since whene'er they wage<br>War here on earth the gods themselves engage <br>In mutual battle as they hate or love,<br>And the most stubborn war is oft above),<br>Almighty Jove commands the circling train<br>Of gods from fav'ring either to abstain,<br>And let the fight be silently survey'd; <br>And added solemn threats if disobey'd.<br>Then call'd he Phoebus from among the Powers<br>And subtle Hermes, whom in softer hours<br>Fair Maia bore: youth wanton'd in their face;<br>Both in life's bloom, both shone with equal grace.<br>Hermes as yet had never wing'd his feet; <br>As yet Apollo in his radiant seat<br>Had never driv'n his chariot through the air,<br>Known by his bow alone and golden hair.<br>These Jove commission'd to attempt the fray, <br>And rule the sportive military day;<br>Bid them agree which party each maintains,<br>And promised a reward that's worth their pains.<br>The greater took their seats; on either hand<br>Respectful the less gods in order stand, <br>But careful not to interrupt their play,<br>By hinting when t' advance or run away.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Then they examine, who shall first proceed<br>To try their courage, and their army lead.<br>Chance gave it for the White, that he should go <br>First with a brave defiance to the foe.<br>Awhile he ponder'd which of all his train<br>Should bear his first commission o'er the plain;<br>And then determined to begin the scene<br>With him that stood before to guard the Queen. <br>He took a double step: with instant care<br>Does the black Monarch in his turn prepare<br>The adverse champion, and with stern command<br>Bid him repel the charge with equal hand.<br>There front to front, the midst of all the field, <br>With furious threats their shining arms they wield;<br>Yet vain the conflict, neither can prevail<br>While in one path each other they assail.<br>On ev'ry side to their assistance fly<br>Their fellow soldiers, and with strong supply <br>Crowd to the battle, but no bloody stain<br>Tinctures their armour; sportive in the plain<br>Mars plays awhile, and in excursion slight<br>Harmless they sally forth, or wait the fight.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">But now the swarthy Foot, that first appear'd <br>To front the foe, his pond'rous jav'lin rear'd<br>Leftward aslant, and a pale warrior slays,<br>Spurns him aside, and boldly takes his place.<br>Unhappy youth, his danger not to spy!<br>Instant he fell, and triumph'd but to die. <br>At this the sable King with prudent care<br>Removed his station from the middle square,<br>And slow retiring to the farthest ground,<br>There safely lurk'd, with troops entrench'd around.<br>Then from each quarter to the war advance <br>The furious Knights, and poise the trembling lance:<br>By turns they rush, by turns the victors yield,<br>Heaps of dead Foot choke up the crimson'd field:<br>They fall unable to retreat; around<br>The clang of arms and iron hoofs resound. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">But while young Phoebus pleased himself to view<br>His furious Knight destroy the vulgar crew,<br>Sly Hermes long'd t' attempt with secret aim<br>Some noble act of more exalted fame.<br>For this, he inoffensive pass'd along <br>Through ranks of Foot, and midst the trembling throng<br>Sent his left Horse, that free without confine<br>Rov'd o'er the plain, upon some great design<br>Against the King himself. At length he stood,<br>And having fix'd his station as he would, <br>Threaten'd at once with instant fate the King<br>And th' Indian beast that guarded the right wing.<br>Apollo sigh'd, and hast'ning to relieve<br>The straiten'd Monarch, griev'd that he must leave<br>His martial Elephant expos'd to fate, <br>And view'd with pitying eyes his dang'rous state.<br>First in his thoughts however was his care<br>To save his King, whom to the neighbouring square<br>On the right hand, he snatch'd with trembling flight;<br>At this with fury springs the sable Knight, <br>Drew his keen sword, and rising to the blow,<br>Sent the great Indian brute to shades below.<br>O fatal loss! for none except the Queen<br>Spreads such a terror through the bloody scene.<br>Yet shall you ne'er unpunish'd boast your prize,<br>The Delian god with stern resentment cries; <br>And wedg'd him round with Foot, and pour'd in fresh supplies.<br>Thus close besieg'd trembling he cast his eye<br>Around the plain, but saw no shelter nigh,<br>No way for flight; for here the Queen oppos'd, <br>The Foot in phalanx there the passage clos'd:<br>At length he fell; yet not unpleas'd with fate,<br>Since victim to a Queen's vindictive hate.<br>With grief and fury burns the whiten'd host,<br>One of their Tow'rs thus immaturely lost. <br>As when a bull has in contention stern<br>Lost his right horn, with double vengeance burn<br>His thoughts for war, with blood he's cover'd o'er,<br>And the woods echo to his dismal roar,<br>So look'd the flaxen host, when angry fate <br>O'erturn'd the Indian bulwark of their state.<br>Fired at this great success, with double rage<br>Apollo hurries on his troops t' engage,<br>For blood and havoc wild; and, while he leads<br>His troops thus careless, loses both his steeds: <br>For if some adverse warriors were o'erthrown,<br>He little thought what dangers threat his own.<br>But slyer Hermes with observant eyes<br>March'd slowly cautious, and at distance spies<br>What moves must next succeed, what dangers next arise. <br>Often would he, the stately Queen to snare,<br>The slender Foot to front her arms prepare,<br>And to conceal his scheme he sighs and feigns<br>Such a wrong step would frustrate all his pains.<br>Just then an Archer, from the right-hand view, <br>At the pale Queen his arrow boldly drew,<br>Unseen by Phoebus, who, with studious thought,<br>From the left side a vulgar hero brought.<br>But tender Venus, with a pitying eye,<br>Viewing the sad destruction that was nigh, <br>Wink'd upon Phoebus (for the Goddess sat<br>By chance directly opposite); at that<br>Roused in an instant, young Apollo threw<br>His eyes around the field his troops to view:<br>Perceiv'd the danger, and with sudden fright <br>Withdrew the Foot that he had sent to fight,<br>And sav'd his trembling Queen by seasonable flight.<br>But Maia's son with shouts fill'd all the coast:<br>The Queen, he cried, the important Queen is lost.<br>Phoebus, howe'er, resolving to maintain <br>What he had done, bespoke the heavenly train.<br>What mighty harm, in sportive mimic flight,<br>Is it to set a little blunder right,<br>When no preliminary rule debarr'd?<br>If you henceforward, Mercury, would guard <br>Against such practice, let us make the law:<br>And whosoe'er shall first to battle draw,<br>Or white, or black, remorseless let him go<br>At all events, and dare the angry foe.<br>He said, and this opinion pleased around: <br>Jove turn'd aside, and on his daughter frown'd,<br>Unmark'd by Hermes, who, with strange surprise,<br>Fretted and foam'd, and roll'd his ferret eyes,<br>And but with great reluctance could refrain<br>From dashing at a blow all off the plain. <br>Then he resolved to interweave deceits, --<br>To carry on the war by tricks and cheats.<br>Instant he call'd an Archer from the throng,<br>And bid him like the courser wheel along:<br>Bounding he springs, and threats the pallid Queen.<br>The fraud, however, was by Phoebus seen; <br>He smiled, and, turning to the Gods, he said:<br>Though, Hermes, you are perfect in your trade,<br>And you can trick and cheat to great surprise,<br>These little sleights no more shall blind my eyes;<br>Correct them if you please, the more you thus disguise. <br>The circle laugh'd aloud; and Maia's son<br>(As if it had but by mistake been done)<br>Recall'd his Archer, and with motion due,<br>Bid him advance, the combat to renew. <br>But Phoebus watch'd him with a jealous eye,<br>Fearing some trick was ever lurking nigh,<br>For he would oft, with sudden sly design,<br>Send forth at once two combatants to join<br>His warring troops, against the law of arms, <br>Unless the wary foe was ever in alarms.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Now the white Archer with his utmost force<br>Bent the tough bow against the sable Horse,<br>And drove him from the Queen, where he had stood<br>Hoping to glut his vengeance with her blood. <br>Then the right Elephant with martial pride<br>Roved here and there, and spread his terrors wide:<br>Glittering in arms from far a courser came,<br>Threaten'd at once the King and Royal Dame;<br>Thought himself safe when he the post had seized,<br>And with the future spoils his fancy pleased. <br>Fired at the danger a young Archer came,<br>Rush'd on the foe, and levell'd sure his aim;<br>(And though a Pawn his sword in vengeance draws,<br>Gladly he'd lose his life in glory's cause). <br>The whistling arrow to his bowels flew,<br>And the sharp steel his blood profusely drew;<br>He drops the reins, he totters to the ground,<br>And his life issued murm'ring through the wound.<br>Pierced by the Foot, this Archer bit the plain;<br>The Foot himself was by another slain; <br>And with inflamed revenge, the battle burns again.<br>Towers, Archers, Knights, meet on the crimson ground,<br>And the field echoes to the martial sound.<br>Their thoughts are heated, and their courage fired,<br>Thick they rush on with double zeal inspired; <br>Generals and Foot, with different colour'd mien,<br>Confusedly warring in the camps are seen, --<br>Valour and fortune meet in one promiscuous scene.<br>Now these victorious, lord it o'er the field; <br>Now the foe rallies, the triumphant yield:<br>Just as the tide of battle ebbs or flows.<br>As when the conflict more tempestuous grows<br>Between the winds, with strong and boisterous sweep<br>They plough th' Ionian or Atlantic deep! <br>By turns prevail the mutual blustering roar,<br>And the big waves alternate lash the shore.<br>But in the midst of all the battle raged<br>The snowy Queen, with troops at once engaged;<br>She fell'd an Archer as she sought the plain, -- <br>As she retired an Elephant was slain:<br>To right and left her fatal spears she sent,<br>Burst through the ranks, and triumph'd as she went;<br>Through arms and blood she seeks a glorious fate,<br>Pierces the farthest lines, and nobly great <br>Leads on her army with a gallant show,<br>Breaks the battalions, and cuts through the foe.<br>At length the sable King his fears betray'd,<br>And begg'd his military consort's aid:<br>With cheerful speed she flew to his relief, <br>And met in equal arms the female chief.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Who first, great Queen, and who at last did bleed?<br>How many Whites lay gasping on the mead?<br>Half dead, and floating in a bloody tide,<br>Foot, Knights, and Archer lie on every side. <br>Who can recount the slaughter of the day?<br>How many leaders threw their lives away?<br>The chequer'd plain is fill'd with dying box,<br>Havoc ensues, and with tumultuous shocks<br>The different colour'd ranks in blood engage, <br>And Foot and Horse promiscuously rage.<br>With nobler courage and superior might<br>The dreadful Amazons sustain the fight,<br>Resolved alike to mix in glorious strife,<br>Till to imperious fate they yield their life. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Meanwhile each Monarch, in a neighbouring cell,<br>Confined the warriors that in battle fell,<br>There watch'd the captives with a jealous eye,<br>Lest, slipping out again, to arms they fly.<br>But Thracian Mars, in stedfast friendship join'd <br>To Hermes, as near Phoebus he reclined,<br>Observed each chance, how all their motions bend,<br>Resolved if possible to serve his friend.<br>He a Foot-soldier and a Knight purloin'd<br>Out from the prison that the dead confined; <br>And slyly push'd 'em forward on the plain;<br>Th' enliven'd combatants their arms regain,<br>Mix in the bloody scene, and boldly war again.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">So the foul hag, in screaming wild alarms<br>O'er a dead carcase muttering her charms, <br>(And with her frequent and tremendous yell<br>Forcing great Hecate from out of hell)<br>Shoots in the corpse a new fictitious soul;<br>With instant glare the supple eyeballs roll,<br>Again it moves and speaks, and life informs the whole. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Vulcan alone discern'd the subtle cheat;<br>And wisely scorning such a base deceit,<br>Call'd out to Phoebus. Grief and rage assail<br>Phoebus by turns; detected Mars turns pale.<br>Then awful Jove with sullen eye reproved <br>Mars, and the captives order'd to be moved<br>To their dark caves; bid each fictitious spear<br>Be straight recall'd, and all be as they were.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">And now both Monarchs with redoubled rage<br>Led on their Queens, the mutual war to wage. <br>O'er all the field their thirsty spears they send,<br>Then front to front their Monarchs they defend.<br>But lo! the female White rush'd in unseen,<br>And slew with fatal haste the swarthy Queen;<br>Yet soon, alas! resign'd her royal spoils, <br>Snatch'd by a shaft from her successful toils.<br>Struck at the sight, both hosts in wild surprise<br>Pour'd forth their tears, and fill'd the air with cries;<br>They wept and sigh'd, as pass'd the fun'ral train,<br>As if both armies had at once been slain. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">And now each troop surrounds its mourning chief,<br>To guard his person, or assuage his grief.<br>One is their common fear; one stormy blast<br>Has equally made havoc as it pass'd.<br>Not all, however, of their youth are slain; <br>Some champions yet the vig'rous war maintain.<br>Three Foot, an Archer, and a stately Tower,<br>For Phoebus still exert their utmost power.<br>Just the same number Mercury can boast,<br>Except the Tower, who lately in his post <br>Unarm'd inglorious fell, in peace profound,<br>Pierced by an Archer with a distant wound;<br>But his right Horse retain'd its mettled pride, --<br>The rest were swept away by war's strong tide.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">But fretful Hermes, with despairing moan, <br>Griev'd that so many champions were o'erthrown,<br>Yet reassumes the fight; and summons round<br>The little straggling army that he found, --<br>All that had 'scaped from fierce Apollo's rage, --<br>Resolved with greater caution to engage <br>In future strife, by subtle wiles (if fate<br>Should give him leave) to save his sinking state.<br>The sable troops advance with prudence slow,<br>Bent on all hazards to distress the foe.<br>More cheerful Phoebus, with unequal pace, <br>Rallies his arms to lessen his disgrace.<br>But what strange havoc everywhere has been!<br>A straggling champion here and there is seen;<br>And many are the tents, yet few are left within.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Th' afflicted Kings bewail their consorts dead, <br>And loathe the thoughts of a deserted bed;<br>And though each monarch studies to improve<br>The tender mem'ry of his former love,<br>Their state requires a second nuptial tie.<br>Hence the pale ruler with a love-sick eye <br>Surveys th' attendants of his former wife,<br>And offers one of them a royal life.<br>These, when their martial mistress had been slain,<br>Weak and despairing tried their arms in vain;<br>Willing, howe'er, amidst the Black to go, <br>They thirst for speedy vengeance on the foe.<br>Then he resolves to see who merits best,<br>By strength and courage, the imperial vest;<br>Points out the foe, bids each with bold design<br>Pierce through the ranks, and reach the deepest line:<br>For none must hope with monarchs to repose <br>But who can first, through thick surrounding foes,<br>Through arms and wiles, with hazardous essay,<br>Safe to the farthest quarters force their way.<br>Fired at the thought, with sudden, joyful pace <br>They hurry on; but first of all the race<br>Runs the third right-hand warrior for the prize, --<br>The glitt'ring crown already charms her eyes.<br>Her dear associates cheerfully give o'er<br>The nuptial chase; and swift she flies before, <br>And Glory lent her wings, and the reward in store.<br>Nor would the sable King her hopes prevent,<br>For he himself was on a Queen intent,<br>Alternate, therefore, through the field they go.<br>Hermes led on, but by a step too slow, <br>His fourth left Pawn: and now th' advent'rous White<br>Had march'd through all, and gain'd the wish'd for site.<br>Then the pleased King gives orders to prepare<br>The crown, the sceptre, and the royal chair,<br>And owns her for his Queen: around exult <br>The snowy troops, and o'er the Black insult.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Hermes burst into tears, -- with fretful roar<br>Fill'd the wide air, and his gay vesture tore.<br>The swarthy Foot had only to advance<br>One single step; but oh! malignant chance! <br>A towered Elephant, with fatal aim,<br>Stood ready to destroy her when she came:<br>He keeps a watchful eye upon the whole,<br>Threatens her entrance, and protects the goal.<br>Meanwhile the royal new-created bride, <br>Pleased with her pomp, spread death and terror wide;<br>Like lightning through the sable troops she flies,<br>Clashes her arms, and seems to threat the skies.<br>The sable troops are sunk in wild affright, <br>And wish th' earth op'ning snatch'd 'em from her sight.<br>In burst the Queen, with vast impetuous swing:<br>The trembling foes come swarming round the King,<br>Where in the midst he stood, and form a valiant ring.<br>So the poor cows, straggling o'er pasture land,<br>When they perceive the prowling wolf at hand, <br>Crowd close together in a circle full,<br>And beg the succour of the lordly bull;<br>They clash their horns, they low with dreadful sound,<br>And the remotest groves re-echo round.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">But the bold Queen, victorious, from behind <br>Pierces the foe; yet chiefly she design'd<br>Against the King himself some fatal aim,<br>And full of war to his pavilion came.<br>Now here she rush'd, now there; and had she been<br>But duly prudent, she had slipp'd between, <br>With course oblique, into the fourth white square,<br>And the long toil of war had ended there,<br>The King had fallen, and all his sable state;<br>And vanquish'd Hermes cursed his partial fate.<br>For thence with ease the championess might go, <br>Murder the King, and none could ward the blow.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">With silence, Hermes, and with panting heart,<br>Perceived the danger, but with subtle art,<br>(Lest he should see the place) spurs on the foe, <br>Confounds his thoughts, and blames his being slow.<br>For shame! move on; would you for ever stay?<br>What sloth is this, what strange perverse delay? --<br>How could you e'er my little pausing blame? --<br>What! you would wait till night shall end the game?<br>Phoebus, thus nettled, with imprudence slew <br>A vulgar Pawn, but lost his nobler view.<br>Young Hermes leap'd, with sudden joy elate;<br>And then, to save the monarch from his fate,<br>Led on his martial Knight, who stepp'd between,<br>Pleased that his charge was to oppose the Queen --<br>Then, pondering how the Indian beast to slay, <br>That stopp'd the Foot from making farther way, --<br>From being made a Queen; with slanting aim<br>An archer struck him; down the monster came,<br>And dying shook the earth: while Phoebus tries <br>Without success the monarch to surprise.<br>The Foot, then uncontroll'd with instant pride,<br>Seized the last spot, and moved a royal bride.<br>And now with equal strength both war again,<br>And bring their second wives upon the plain; <br>Then, though with equal views each hop'd and fear'd,<br>Yet, as if every doubt had disappear'd,<br>As if he had the palm, young Hermes flies<br>Into excess of joy; with deep disguise, <br>Extols his own Black troops, with frequent spite<br>And with invective taunts disdains the White.<br>Whom Phoebus thus reproved with quick return --<br>As yet we cannot the decision learn<br>Of this dispute, and do you triumph now?<br>Then your big words and vauntings I'll allow, <br>When you the battle shall completely gain;<br>At present I shall make your boasting vain.<br>He said, and forward led the daring Queen;<br>Instant the fury of the bloody scene<br>Rises tumultuous, swift the warriors fly <br>From either side to conquer or to die.<br>They front the storm of war: around 'em Fear,<br>Terror, and Death, perpetually appear.<br>All meet in arms, and man to man oppose,<br>Each from their camp attempts to drive their foes;<br>Each tries by turns to force the hostile lines; <br>Chance and impatience blast their best designs.<br>The sable Queen spread terror as she went<br>Through the mid ranks: with more reserved intent<br>The adverse dame declined the open fray, <br>And to the King in private stole away:<br>Then took the royal guard, and bursting in,<br>With fatal menace close besieged the King.<br>Alarm'd at this, the swarthy Queen, in haste,<br>From all her havoc and destructive waste <br>Broke off, and her contempt of death to show,<br>Leap'd in between the Monarch and the foe,<br>To save the King and state from this impending blow.<br>But Phoebus met a worse misfortune here:<br>For Hermes now led forward, void of fear, <br>His furious Horse into the open plain,<br>That onward chafed, and pranced, and pawed amain.<br>Nor ceased from his attempts until he stood<br>On the long-wished-for spot, from whence he could<br>Slay King or Queen. O'erwhelm'd with sudden fears,<br>Apollo saw, and could not keep from tears. <br>Now all seem'd ready to be overthrown;<br>His strength was wither'd, ev'ry hope was flown.<br>Hermes, exulting at this great surprise,<br>Shouted for joy, and fill'd the air with cries; <br>Instant he sent the Queen to shades below,<br>And of her spoils made a triumphant show.<br>But in return, and in his mid career,<br>Fell his brave Knight, beneath the Monarch's spear.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Phoebus, however, did not yet despair, <br>But still fought on with courage and with care.<br>He had but two poor common men to show,<br>And Mars's favourite with his iv'ry bow.<br>The thoughts of ruin made 'em dare their best<br>To save their King, so fatally distress'd. <br>But the sad hour required not such an aid;<br>And Hermes breathed revenge where'er he stray'd.<br>Fierce comes the sable Queen with fatal threat,<br>Surrounds the Monarch in his royal seat;<br>Rushed here and there, nor rested till she slew<br>The last remainder of the whiten'd crew. <br>Sole stood the King, the midst of all the plain,<br>Weak and defenceless, his companions slain.<br>As when the ruddy morn ascending high<br>Has chased the twinkling stars from all the sky,<br>Your star, fair Venus, still retains its light, <br>And, loveliest, goes the latest out of sight.<br>No safety's left, no gleams of hope remain;<br>Yet did he not as vanquish'd quit the plain,<br>But tried to shut himself between the foe, -- <br>Unhurt through swords and spears he hoped to go,<br>Until no room was left to shun the fatal blow.<br>For if none threaten'd his immediate fate,<br>And his next move must ruin all his state,<br>All their past toil and labour is in vain, <br>Vain all the bloody carnage of the plain, --<br>Neither would triumph then, the laurel neither gain.<br>Therefore through each void space and desert tent,<br>By different moves his various course he bent:<br>The Black King watch'd him with observant eye, <br>Follow'd him close, but left him room to fly.<br>Then when he saw him take the farthest line,<br>He sent the Queen his motions to confine,<br>And guard the second rank, that he could go<br>No farther now than to that distant row. <br>The sable monarch then with cheerful mien<br>Approach'd, but always with one space between.<br>But as the King stood o'er against him there,<br>Helpless, forlorn, and sunk in his despair,<br>The martial Queen her lucky moment knew,<br>Seized on the farthest seat with fatal view,<br>Nor left th' unhappy King a place to flee unto.<br>At length in vengeance her keen sword she draws,<br>Slew him, and ended thus the bloody cause:<br>And all the gods around approved it with applause.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">The victor could not from his insults keep, <br>But laugh'd and sneer'd to see Apollo weep.<br>Jove call'd him near, and gave him in his hand<br>The powerful, happy, and mysterious wand<br>By which the Shades are call'd to purer day, <br>When penal fire has purged their sins away;<br>By which the guilty are condemn'd to dwell<br>In the dark mansions of the deepest hell;<br>By which he gives us sleep, or sleep denies,<br>And closes at the last the dying eyes. <br>Soon after this, the heavenly victor brought<br>The game on earth, and first th' Italians taught.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">For (as they say) fair Scacchis he espied<br>Feeding her cygnets in the silver tide,<br>(Sacchis, the loveliest Seriad of the place) <br>And as she stray'd, took her to his embrace.<br>Then, to reward her for her virtue lost,<br>Gave her the men and chequer'd board, emboss'd<br>With gold and silver curiously inlay'd;<br>And taught her how the game was to be play'd. <br>Ev'n now 'tis honour'd with her happy name;<br>And Rome and all the world admire the game.<br>All which the Seriads told me heretofore,<br>When my boy-notes amused the Serian shore.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=Oliver+Goldsmith">Oliver Goldsmith</a><div class=q> <img src="https://www.citatepedia.ro/g/32share.png" style="float:left" alt="Share"> <script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=citatepedia" async="async"></script><div style="display:inline-block" class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=472321" data-title="Vida's Game Of Chess de Oliver Goldsmith" data-description="TRANSLATED ARMIES of box that sportively engage And mimic real battles in their rage, Pleased I recount; how, smit with glory's charms, Two mighty Monarchs met in adverse arms, Sable and white; assist me to explore, Ye Serian Nymphs, what ne'er ..."></div> </div> </div>

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