THOU Battle Royal! Kings and gentlemen
At arms, and lords have fought thee since the mists
Of time, back-rolling, show’d thy mimic lists
And pigmy warriors, mazed and harried then
As now in meshes of thy checkered strife—
Unshielded Pawns, trim Knights and frowning Rooks
Stolid yet quick, and Bishops smug, with looks
A-squint, and King with lame yet endless life.
Thou Battle Royal! Years unnumbered soil
Cards, draughts and dice with myriad grime-worn hands.
Thou, lov’d by dames and lords in all the lands
Of this broad world art still the world’s best play;
Where, as in life, whilst others struggle, toil,
And die, the imperious Queen controls the day!