Poised in the warm and pulseless air,

On the carven chessman's ivory hair.

Dreamily wandered the game along,

Quietly moving at even-song,

While the striving kings stood firm and strong,

Until that one which of late was crowned

Flinched from a knight's determined bound,

And in sullen majesty left the ground,

Reeling back; and it came to pass

That, waiting to mutter no funeral mass,