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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!