Strange is the game they enter in,—
Rouge et Noir, and the bank is strong!
Play they well or play they wide
The gold is still on the banker’s side,
And the game endureth long.
Said the strong children, each aside to each,
“The game is slow—our gains are all too small!
Play we together now, ’gainst them apart;
So shall these dull ones lose it from the start,
And we shall gain it all!”