My king, my queen, the castle twain, each bishop, pawn and knight,
I led them into battle by the flick’ring candle light.
I led them into combat ’gainst a genius at the game,
And the candles all were laughing as I sought to hide my shame.
But the little silver chessmen that were wrought in Samarcand
Caught the spirit of crusaders there upon the teakwood stand.
The warriors all murmured, while the monarch moved to lean
And voice his plan of action to his understanding queen:
“For the sake of all the trumpeters who had to sound retreat—
For the sake of all beginners who have gone down to defeat;