The box now presented to you, my dear Nieces,
Start not! contains Men, though in thirty-two pieces.
But may each of you meet with one perfect and whole,
For a partner through life, with a heart and a soul;
May you each in life’s Game e’er successfully move,
And all conquests achieved prove the conquests of love;
May you ever be able—on banks—to give check,
And may Bishops and Knights bow down at your beck.
May Castles surrender whene’er you attack ’em,
And staunch prove your Men, with your good Queen to back ’em;