Original latin


Schaccia, Ludus


Ludimus effigiem belli, simulataque veris
Praelia, buxo acies fictas, et ludicra regna,
Ut gemini inter se reges albusque, nigerque
Pro laude oppositi certent bicoloribus armis.
Dicite, Seriades Nymphae, certamina tanta
Carminibus prorsus vatum illibata priorum.
Nulla via est: tamen ire juvat, quo me rapit ardor,
Inviaque audaci propero tentare juventa.
Vos per inaccessas rupes, et inhospita euntem
Saxa, Deae, regite, ac secretum ostendite callem.
Vos hujus ludi in primis meminisse necesse est.
Vos primae studia haec Italis monstrastis in oris
Scacchidis egregiae monimentum insigne sororis.
Juppiter Aethiopum sedes, et Memnonis arva
Iverat, Oceani mensas dignatus amici,
Qui sibi tum optatis junxit Tellurem Hymenaeis.
Affuit una omnis Superum chorus: omnia festo
Aequoris immensi resonabant littora plausu.
Ut dapibus compressa fames, mensaeque remotae,
Quo Superum mentes ludo mulceret inani,
Oceanus tabulam afferri jubet interpictam.
Sexaginta insunt et quattuor ordine sedes,
Octono. Parte ex omni via limite quadrat
Ordinibus paribus, necnon forma omnibus una
Sedibus, aequale et spatium, sed non color unus.
Alternant semper variae, subeuntque vicissim
Albentes nigris, testudo picta superne
Qualia devexo gestat discrimina tergo.
Tum Superis tacite secum mirantibus inquit:
Marti aptam sedem, ludicraque castra videtis.
Hoc campo adversa acies spectare licebit
Oppositis signis belli simulacra ciere,
Quae quondam sub aquis gaudent spectacla tueri
Nereides, vastique omnis gens accola ponti,
Si quando placidum mare, et humida regna quierunt.
En vero simulata adsunt qui praelia ludant.
Sic ait, et versa in tabulam deprompsit ab urna
Arte laboratam buxum, simulataque nostris
Corpora, torno acies fictas albasque, nigrasque,
Agmina bina pari numeroque, et viribus aequis,
Bis nivea cum veste octo, totidemque nigranti.
Ut variae facies, pariter sunt et sua cuique
Nomina. Diversum munus, non aequa potestas:
Illic, et reges paribus capita alta coronis,
Et regum pariter nuptas in bella paratas
Cernere erat. Sunt qui pedibus certamina inire
Sueti, sunt et equis qui malint, quique sagittis,
Nec deest quae ferat armatas in praelia turres.
Bellua. Utrinque Indos credas spectare Elephantes.
Jamque aciem in versum statuunt, structaeque cohortes
Procedunt campo, castrisque locantur utrisque.
Linea principio sublimes ultima reges
Parte utraque capit quartis in sedibus ambos
Tractu eodem adversos inter se. Sex tamen aequis
In medio sedes spatiis hinc inde relictae.
Sede albus sese nigra tenet, ater in alba.
Proxima reginas capit orbita. Regibus ambae
Haerent quaeque suo, dextrum latus altera, laevum
Altera lege datis tangunt stationibus, atrumque
Atra tenet campum, spatio stat candida in albo,
Et proprium servant prima statione colorem.
Inde sagittiferi juvenes de gente nigranti
Stant gemini, totidem pariter candore nivali,
Nomen Areiphilos Graii fecere vocantes,
Quod Marti ante alios cari fera bella lacessant.
Continuo hoc inter rex, necnon regia conjux
Clauduntur medii: duo dehinc utrinque corusci
Auratis equitis sagulis, cristisque decori
Cornipedes in aperta parant certamina Martis.
Tum geminae velut extremis in cornibus arces
Hinc atque hinc altis stant propugnacula muris,
Quas dorso immanes gestant in bella Elephanti.
Postremo subeunt octo hinc, atque inde secundis
Ordinibus pedites, castrisque armantur utrisque
Armigeri partim regis, partimque ministrae
Virginis armisonae, quae prima pericula belli,
Congressusque ineant primos, pugnamque lacessant.
Non aliter campis legio se buxea utrinque
Composuit duplici digestis ordine turmis,
Adversisque ambae fulsere coloribus alae,
Quam Gallorum acies alpino frigore lactea
Corpora si tendant albis in praelia signis
Aurorae populos contra, et Phaethonte perustos
Insano Aethiopas, et nigri Memnonis alas.
Tum pater Oceanus rursus sic ore locutus:
Coelicolae jam quaenam acies, quae castra videtis,
Discite nunc (neque enim sunt haec sine legibus arma)
Certandi leges, nequeant quas tendere contra.
Principio alterni reges in praelia mittunt
Quem pugnae numero ex omni elegere suorum.
Si niger arma ferens primus processit in aequor,
Continuo adversum semper se candidus offert,
Nec plures licet ire simul facto agmine in hostem.
Propositum cunctis unum, studium omnibus unum
Obsessos reges inimicae claudere gentis,
Ne quo impune queant fugere, atque instantia fata
Evitare, etenim capiunt ita praelia finem.
Haud tamen interea cuneis obstantibus ultro
Parcunt, sed citius quo regem sternere letho
Desertum evaleant, caedunt ferro obvia passim
Agmina. Rarescunt hic illic funere semper
Utraque castra novo, magis ac magis area belli
Picturata patet, sternuntque, caduntque vicissim.
Sed caedentem opus est sublati protinus hostis
Successisse loco, et conatus vindicis alae
Sustinuisse semel. Mox si vitaverit ictum,
Inde referre licet se in tutum praepete planta.
At pedites prohibent leges certaminis unos,
Cum semel exierint (facilis jactura) reverti.
Nec vero incessus cunctis bellantibus idem,
Pugnandive modus. Pedites in praelia euntes
Evaleant unam tantum transmittere sedem,
Inque hostem tendunt adversi, et limite recto.
Congressu tamen in primo fas longius ire,
Et duplicare gradus concessum. At cominus hostem
Cum feriunt, ictum obliquant, et vulnera furtim
Intentant semper lateri, cavaque ilia caedunt.
Sed gemini claudunt aciem qui hinc inde Elephanti,
Cum turres in bella gerunt, ac praelia miscent,
Recta fronte valent dextra, laevaque retroque
Ferre aditum contra, campumque impune per omnem
Proruere, ac totis passim dare funera castris.
Ne tamen obliquis occultent nixibus ictum,
Qui tantum mos concessus pugnantibus arcu
Dilectis Marti ante alios; nam semper uterque
Fertur in obliquum, spatiis nigrantibus alter,
Alter candenti semper se limite versat,
Directisque ineunt ambo fera bella sagittis:
Nec variare licet, quamvis fas ire per omnem
Hinc atque hinc campum, atque omnes percurrere sedes.
Insultat sonipes ferus, atque repugnat habenis.
Numquam continuo stipata per agmina ductu
Procurrit. Tantum sursum sese arduus effert
Semper, et in gyrum gressus magno impete lunat
Curvatos, duplicemque datur transmittere sedem.
Si nigrante prius campo expectaverit, album
Mox petere, et sedis semper mutare colorem
Lex jubet, ac certo semper se sistere saltu.
At regina furens animis pars optima belli
In frontem, in terga, ac dextram, laevamque movetur,
Itque iter obliquum, sed semper tramite recto
Procedit, neque enim curvato insurgere saltu
Cornipedum de more licet. Non terminus olli,
Nec cursus meta ulla datur. Quocunque libido
Impulerit, licet ire, modo ne ex agmine quisquam
Hostilive, suove aditus occludat eunti.
Nulli etenim super educto fas agmina saltu
Transiliisse. Equiti tantum haec concessa potestas.
Cautius arma movent gentis regnator uterque,
In quibus est omnis spes, ac fiducia belli.
Omnibus incolumi rege stat cernere ferro:
Sublato pugna excedunt, et castra relinquunt.
Ille adeo in bello captus secum omnia vertit.
Ergo haerens cunctatur, eum venerantur, et omnes
Agmine circumstant denso, mediumque tuentur.
Utque armis saepe eripiant, sua corpore bello
Objiciunt, mortemque optant pro rege pacisci.
Non illi studium feriendi, aut arma ciendi:
Se tegere est satis, atque instantia fata cavere.
Haud tamen obtulerit se quisquam impune propinquum
Obvius, ex omni nam summum parte nocendi
Jus habet. Ille quidem haud procurrere longius ausit:
Sed postquam auspiciis primis progressus ab aula
Mutavit sedes proprias, non amplius uno
Ulterius fas ire gradu, seu vulneret hostem,
Seu vim tela ferant nullam, atque innoxius erret.
Hic mos certandi, haec belli antiquissima jura.
Nunc aciem inter se certantes cernite utramque.
Sic ait: at quoniam, quoties fera bella fatigant
Mortales, Superi studiis diversa foventes
Ipsi etiam inter sese odiis bellantur iniquis,
Maximaque interdum toto ardent praelia caelo,
Juppiter omnipotens folio rex fatus ab alto,
Omnes abstinuisse jubet mortalibus armis:
Atque minis, ne quem foveant, perterret acerbis.
Tum Phoebum vocat intonsum, Atlantisque nepotem
Egregium, furto peperit quem candida Maia,
Insignes ambos facie, et florentibus annis.
Nondum Mercurius levibus talaria plantis
Addiderat: nondum Titania lumina agebat
Per liquidum curru gemmato Phoebus olympum,
Tantum humeros pharetra insignis, et crinibus aureis.
Hos pater adversis solos decernere jussit
Inter se studiis, et ludicra bella fovere,
Ac partes tutari ambas, quas vellet uterque.
Necnon proposuit victori praemia digna.
Dii magni sedere. Deum stat turba minorum
Circumfusa: cavent sed lege, et foedere pacto,
Ne quisquam voce, aut nutu ludentibus ausit
Praevisos monstrare ictus. Quem denique primum
Sors inferre aciem vocet, atque invadere Martem,
Quaesitum; primumque locum certaminis albo
Ductori tulit, ut quem vellet primus in hostem
Mitteret: id sane magni referre putabant.
Tum tacitus secum versat quem ducere contra
Conveniat, peditemque jubet procedere campum
In medium, qui reginam dirimebat ab hoste.
Ille gradus duplices superat: cui tum arbiter ater
Ipse etiam adversum recto de gente nigranti
Tramite agit peditem, atque jubet subsistere contra
Advenientem hostem, paribusque occurrere in armis.
Stant ergo adversis inter se frontibus ambo
In mediis campi spatiis, ac mutua tentant
Vulnera nequicquam; neque enim vis ulla nocendi est
Armigeris, tractu dum miscent praelia eodem.
Subsidio socii dextra, laevaque frequentes
Hinc atque hinc subeunt, late et loca milite complent.
Alternantque vices. Necdum tamen horrida miscent
Praelia, sed placidus mediis Mars ludit in armis,
Excursusque breves tentant, tutique tenent se.
Jamque pedes nigri rectoris, qui prior hostem
Contra iit, obliquum laeva clam strinxerat ensem,
Atque album e mediis peditem citus abstulit armis,
Illiusque locum arripuit praestantibus ausis
Ah miser ! instantem lateri non viderat hostem.
Ipse etiam cadit, et pugnas in morte relinquit.
Tum cautus fuscae regnator gentis ab aula
Subduxit sese media, penitusque repostis
Castrorum latebris extrema in fauce recondit,
Et peditum cuneis stipantibus abditus haesit.
Nec mora, surgit eques bellator laevus utrinque,
Et mediis hinc inde insultant coetibus ambo,
Alternique ruunt, et spargunt fata per hostes.
Sternuntur pedites passim miseranda juventus,
Quod nequeant revocare gradum: sonat ungula campo
In medio, et totis miscentur funera castris.
Dum vero peditum intentus Latonius heros
Caedibus instat atrox, equitemque per agmina versat
Vastatorem alae piceae, longe Arcada major
Ardor agit tacitis jamdudum invadere furtis
Magnum aliquid, peditumque ultro saepe obvia transit
Agmina, cornipedem ducens in praelia laevum,
Qui regi insidias tendens huc vertitur, atque huc,
Per mediosque hostes impune infrenis oberrat.
Constitit, optataque diu statione potitus
Lethum intentabat pariter regique, Elephantique,
Alae qui dextro cornu turritus in auras
Attollens caput ingenti se mole tenebat.
Delius ingemuit clauso succurrere regi
Admonitus. Namque indefensum in morte Elephantem
Linquere se videt, atque ambos non posse periclo
Eripere, et fatis urgeri cernit iniquis.
Cura prior sed enim est trepidum defendere regem,
Quem rapit in dextrum latus. At niger emicat ense
Stricto eques, et magnis Elephantem intercipit ausis,
Damnum ingens; neque enim est saevae post virginis arma
Bellantum numero ex omni magis utilis alter.
Non tamen impune evades, ait acer Apollo;
Et peditum cuneis, densaque indagine cingit.
Ille igitur trepidare metu, certique pericli
Frustra velle fugam, nam hinc fata minatur Amazon,
Inde obstat conserta phalanx. Tandem alius acto
Virginis ense cadit, pulchrae solatia mortis.
Aestuat alba cohors latere heu minus utilis uno,
Et magis atque magis furit acri accensa dolore.
Sicut ubi dextrum taurus certamine cornu
Amisit, dum se adverso fert pectore in hostem,
Saevior in pugnam ruit armos sanguine, et alte
Colla animosa lavans: gemitu omnis sylva remugit,
Talis erat facies, caesi post fata Elephantis,
Candentis turmae. Hinc furiis majoribus ardet
Phoebus, et ultrices hortatur in arma cohortes
In ferrum et caedes pronus, cupidusque nocendi,
Incautusque ambas perdit sine lege phalangas.
Dumque hostes pariter cernat procumbere victos,
Ipse suos morti indefensos objicit ultro.
Mercurius melior furto cunctatur, et haerens
Usque alium ex alio spectando praevidet ictum.
Saepe ille ex longo meditatus fata superbae
Reginae peditem perdendum cominus offert,
Dissimulatque dolos; mox poenitet, et trahit alto
Improbus, errorem fingens, suspiria corde.
Jamque sagittiferi e dextro spicula cornu
Virginis in latus albentis tendebat. Id hostis
Haud primum sensit, peditemque trahebat in atram
Laeva aciem rerum ignarus. Verum improba cladem
Et tantas Erycina Venus miserata ruinas,
Incauto juveni furtim tacito innuit ore,
Atque oculis (Phoebo nam forte adversa sedebat)
Nulla mora, ad nutus divae tremefactus Apollo
Constitit, atque oculis late agmina circumspexit,
Et subito insidias sensit, peditemque retraxit,
Quem contra impulerat dextra impiger. atque periclo
Reginam eripuit. Tum Maia Atlantide cretus
Littoreum caveae concessum vocibus implet,
Reginam captam ingeminans: fremit undique turba
Coelicolum studiis variis, seseque tuetur
Phoebus, et his alto fatur de littore verbis:
Quae porro invidia est dextram ludicra petenti
Praemia corrigere incautam, in meliusque referre,
Cum nec pacta vetent ? Quod si Maia sate posthac
Id sedet omnino prohiberi: lege caveto,
Quique prior fuerit digitis impulsus in hostem,
Sive albus, piceusve fuat, discrimine nullo
Ille eat, et dubii subeat discrimina Martis.
Dixit, et haec toto placuit sententia circo
Coelicolis. Venerem obtutu clam versus acerbo
Juppiter increpuit. Nec sensit filius Arcas.
Sed puer ingemuit labefactus corda dolore
Ingenti. Vix se tenuit quin ludicra castra,
Injectisque acies manibus confunderet ambas.
Tum secum statuit furtis certare, dolisque
Omnibus, ac totis fraudes innectere castris.
Jam tum igitur juvenem pharetratum in praelia ducens
Cornipedis simulare gradus jubet. Ocius ille
Emicat, atque albae reginae fata minatur.
Non Phoebum latuere doli. Subrisit, et ore
Versus ad astantes: Quamvis accommoda furtis
Mercurio sit dextra, inquit, fraudique, dolisque,
Callide Atlantiada, invigiles, haud me tamen ultra
Fallere erit: jamque improbe iniquam corrige dextram.
Spectantum cunei ingenti risere theatro,
Atque Arcas, veluti deceptus imagine falsa,
Summisit buxum concesso in praelia gressu
Arcum intendentem. Vigilat jam cautus Apollo
Fraudesque, insidiasque timens, occultaque furta.
Ille etenim persaepe, manu dum ducit in hostes
Alternam buxum, jus contra, et foedera pacta,
Implicitans celeres digitos, duo corpora bello
Objiciat simul, observet nisi providus hostis.
Jamque equitem contra nigrantem candidus arcum
Intendens sese opposuit pharetratus, et arcet
Reginae jugulo intentum. Tum dexter oberrat
Huc atque huc Elephas, niveisque exultat in armis.
Haeserat in medio, dominae, regique minatus
Albus eques ratus impune, et jam forte superbus
Nequicquam spoliorum animum pascebat amore.
Non tulit hanc speciem juvenis pharetrarus, et arcu
Contendit calamum, seseque immitit in hostem,
Fata licet pedes intentet, moriturus in armis
Insigni pro laude. Alvo mediae haesit arundo
Stridula, et ima chalybs descendit in ilia adactus.
Volvitur ille excussus humique, et calcibus auras
Verberat: in ventos vita indignata recessit.
Inde sagittiferurm sternit pedes: hunc pedes alter
Hostili de plebe necat: pugna aspera surgit.
Turribus occurrunt ingenti mole Elephanti,
Saeva pharetrigeri contendunt spicula nervis,
Quadrupedumque gemit bicolor sub verbere campus.
Incaluere animi parte ex utraque, et in armis
Concurrunt densi. Simul omnis copia gentis
Albaeque, piceaeque, duces, ambaeque phalanges,
Confusaeque acies magno certamine totis
Densantur campis. Virtus, fortunaque in unum
Conveniunt. Hi nunc victores agmina versa
Aequore agunt toto, versis referuntur habenis
Nunc iidem, variantque vices, et fluctuat omnis
Area bellorum: vasti velut aequoris undae
Si quando inter se recluso carcere saeva
Bella cient animosi Euri, vertuntque profundum
Ionio in magno, aut undisono Atlanteo,
Alternos volvunt procurva ad littora fluctus.
Ar medias acies inter crudescit Amazon
Candida, plena animis, multisque in millibus ardet.
Namque sagittiferum incursans, rediensque Elephantem
Nigrantes sternit. Dextra, laevaque per alas
Fulminat, atque manu spargens hastilia saevit.
Bellanti dant tela locum, retroque residunt
Hinc atque hinc inimicae acies: per tela, per hostes
Illa ruit pulchram in mortem, simul ultima tentat
Castra fugae fidens, animosque in bella viriles
Saeva gerit: penetrat cuneos, aperitque viam vi.
Tandem fusca cohors, nigrantisque arbiter alae
Ipse etiam arma suae trepidus, viresque, animosque
Virginis implorat. Nulla est mora, fervida Amazon
Emicat, atque ardens, paribus se sistit in armis.
Quem primum hasta, aut quem postremum bellica virgo
Demetis, aut quot humi candentia corpora linquis ?
Semianimes volvuntur equi niveique, nigrique,
Et peditum cunei, dilectaque pectora Marti
Aligera juvenes ineuntes bella sagitta.
Quis cladem fando illius, quis funera pugnae,
Prostratrosque duces speret se aequare canendo?
Sternitur omne solum buxo, atque miserrima caedes
Exoritur. Confusa inter sese agmina caedunt,
Implicitaeque ruunt albae, nigraeque phalanges.
Sternuntur pedites, et corpora quadrupedantum.
Nam versae inter se jactantes mutua tela
Foemineis ambae nituntur Amazones armis,
Usque adeo certae non cedere, donec in auras
Aut haec, aut illa effundat cum sanguine multo
Saevam animam, sola linquentes praelia morte.
Interea amborum populorum rector uterque
Captivos hostes, et victa cadavera bello
Carcere servabant castris vicina, caventes
Ne capti semel, aut obita jam morte jacentes
In vitam revocati iterum certamina inirent.
At lateri innixus Phoebeo Threicius Mars
Junctus amicitia puero Arcadi, si quid amico
Fata sinant prodesse, animum per cuncta volutat,
Observatque omnes casus: tum corpora bina
Capta, pharetratum juvenem, peditemque nigrantes
Coetibus e functis jam vita, atque aethere cassis
Surripit, et castris rursum clam immitit apertis.
Ergo iterum gemini captivi praelia inibant,
Miscebantque manus animosi, atque arma ferebant.
Haud secus (ut perhibent) cum Colchis nacta cadaver
Aut virgo Massilla recens, cantuque triformem
Saepe ciens Hecaten, ac magni numina Ditis,
Falsam animam insinuat membris, aurasque loquaces,
Continuo erigitur corpus, loquiturque, videtque,
Et vivos inter fruitur coelestibus auris.
Non tulit indignum facinus Junonia proles
Mulciber (ille dolum solus depraendit) et ore
Inclamat, Phoebumque monet. Thrax palluit heros
Depraensus. Phoebo exarsit dolor ossibus ingens.
Tum Marti pater omnipotens iratus iniqua
Praesidia abduci, atque indebita corpora bello
Protinus e castris jubet, atque retexere falsos
Hinc atque inde ictus, et cuncta in pristina reddit.
Jamque duces furiis ambo majoribus instant,
Reginasque ambas conversa per agmina mittunt.
Caede madent illae, toto aequore fata serentes.
Considunt tandem observae, regesque tuentur,
Quaeque suum. Ecce autem bellatrix agminis albi
A tergo ferro invasit, stravitque nigrantem
Ignaram. Verum ipsa etiam cadit icta sagitta
Ah misera, et spoliis haud longum exultat opimis.
Convertere oculos ambae hinc atque inde cohortes,
Atque acies lacrymis, et foemineo ululatu
Ambas incubuisse putes, dum funera ducunt.
Tum reges moestos ipsa ad praetoria densi
Agglomerant sese circum: timor omnibus idem
Incumbit: par tempestas, par hausit utrosque
Diluvium populos, et sunt sua funera cuique.
Haud prorsus tamen ambobus defecerat omne
Robur. Opes restant, et adhuc intacta juventus,
Tres pedites tibi, Phoebe, sagittifer alter, et ingens
Bellua turrito dorso. Totidemque tibi, Arcas,
Excepto Elephante, alta qui nuper in aula
Pace fruens cecidit positis inglorius armis,
Eminus aligera percussus arundine pectus.
Sed dexter tibi restat eques imperditus. Hausit
Caetera bellantum Mars impius agmina, bellique
Alea, florentes et desolaverat aulas.
At Cyllenaeo juveni spes occidit omnis.
Aestuat amissae gentis memor, et suspirat
Heroas magnos tot fato corpora functa.
Non tamen excedit pugna. Fracta agmina bello
Relliquias tenues immitis Apollinis astu
Cautior in pugnam mittit, post funera tanta
Si qua fata sinant gentis sarcire ruinas.
It nigrum campis agmen. Stat ubique morari,
Fortunamque omnem tentare, aditusque nocendi.
Exultat contra non aequo praelia motu
Cynthius invadens. Facies indigna cohortum,
Heu facies miseranda ducum ! Raro agmine aperta
Castra patent laete, viduatae et civibus aulae.
Moerebant vacuis thalamis regnator uterque
Jamdudum exosi sine conjuge taedia lecti.
Primus amor maneat quamvis immotus utrisque,
Sors tamen ad nova conjugia, atque novos hymenaeos
Flectit iniqua. Igitur primum rex agminis albi
Reginae comites olim, fidasque ministras
Regali invitat thalamo, quae funera moestae
Post fera bellatricis herae tela irrita bello
Jactabant acies inter, cuneosque nigrantes
Oppetere amissae dominae pro caede paratae.
Sed prius explorare ausus sedet, atque viriles
Cunctarum spectare animos, ut digna cubile
Intret. In hostiles sedes, atque ultima castra
Hortaturque, jubetque, supremam apprendere metam.
Nulli fas etenim regis sperare cubile
(Pacta vetant) nisi quae per tela invecta, per hostes
Transactis spatiis cunctis impune suprema
Attigerit prius adversi penetralia regis.
Arrexere animos famulae, pariterque per hostes
Limitibus properant rectis. Tamen ocyor anteit
Tertia, quam dextro ducebat semita cornu
Exultatque, agitatque, animo connubia regis.
Nam comites spe sublapsa cessere volentes.
Illa volat coeptis immanibus. Addidit alas
Gloria praepetibus plantis, et plurima merces.
Nulla obstat mora. Nec facinus prohibere tyranno
Cura nigro est, novaque ipse etiam connubia tentat,
Et vacuis thalamis alias inducere nuptas.
Ergo iter alternae accelerant, famulamque sinistram
Quarto limine agit, saltu sed tardior uno
Parrhasius juvenis. Jamque imperterrita virgo
Candida, facta potens voti, penetraverat omnes
Sedes, atque alacris meta consederat alta.
Tum rector jubet afferri sellamque, tiaramque
Extinctae ornatus, necnon fulgentia sceptra,
Dignaturque toro meritam, optatisque hymenaeis.
Gaudet cana cohors, insultatque eminus atrae.
Haud lacrymas cohibet Maia satus, aethera voce
Incessens, pictosque a pectore rupit amictus.
Nigranti famulae tantum gradus unus ad ipsam
Restabat metam ah miserae, sed limite recto
Turritus fera fata Elephas impune minatur
Insurgens, si supremam contingere sedem
Audeat, et toto castra obsidet ultima tractu,
Et pavidam observans extremis sedibus arcet.
Interea nova regali dignata virago
Connubio exultans, toto dat funera campo.
Illam tollit honos novus, et fortuna tumentem.
Fulminis in morem ruit, atque nigrantia saevit
Castra per, et sedes, ac sidera territat armis.
Horrescunt faciem invisam nigra agmina crudae
Virginis, atque imae exoptant telluris hiatus.
Diffugiunt trepidi vasto irrumpente fragore
Hoste, metuque omnes acti glomerantur in unum
Aulai in medio juxta latera ardua regis.
Haud secus alta boves sparsae per pascua quondam,
Ut sensere lupum venientem, protinus omnes
Conveniunt trepidae, et fortem facto agmine taurum
Ductorem armenti implorant, ipsique propinquant
Certatim inter se trudentes cornua rauco
Murmure: mugitu longe nemora alta resultant.
At regina furens trepidos toto agmine victrix
Impingens in terga, ipsique ante omnia regi
Fata parans, pugnas alta ad praetoria miscet.
Nunc ruit huc, nunc huc, tunc et, nisi laeva fuisset
Mens illi, poterat candentem invadere sedem
Limite in obliquum quarto, et concludere fauces.
Ultimus ille labor regi, gentique fuisset
Nigranti, et fatis Arcas lugeret iniquis.
Nempe erat hinc lethi facilis via in ilia regis,
Nec poterat quisquam se tantae opponere cladi.
Sensit Atlantiades tacitus, dubioque tremebant
Corda metu: accelerare hostem jubet improbus, ictum
Ne videat, verbisque rapit per inania mentem,
Castigatque moras: Adeon' juvat usque morari,
Nec pudor est ? quae tanta animis ignavia ? sic nos
Increpitas semper cunctantes impiger ipse ?
His actus, peditem imprudens dum captat Apollo
Praeteriit fortunam: alacer vocem extulit astris
Laetitia exiliens Cyllenius. Inde periclo
Regem ipsum eripiens opponit Amazonis armis
Haud invitum equitem, qui saevos arceat ictus.
Tum secum meditans candenti lethum Elephanti,
Qui meta arcebat famulam, ne regis iniret
Concessos thalamos, curvato perculit arcu.
Concidit, atque ictu tellurem bellua vasto
Pulsavit moriens, dum regi intentat Apollo
Nequicquam exitium. Tum metam impune ministra
Nigra tenet (nec Phoebus obest) tam regia conjux.
Jamque alacres paribus certamina viribus ambo
Rursum ineunt, nuptasque ferunt in bella secundas.
Tum, quanquam ambiguae spes sint, incertaque belli
Alea adhuc, tamen, ac si palmae certus, et omne
Discrimen positus sit supra, gaudia ficto
Ore puer Maiae simulat, verbisque superbit
Improbus insultans, astus genus, et sua creber
Vocibus extollens, albae premit arma cohortis.
Quem sic depraensa juvenis Latonius arte
Increpitat: nondum extremam dubio ultima bello
Imposuit fortuna manum, et jam voce superbis.
Proinde mihi insulta, et tumidis reple omnia verbis,
Certa tuum annuerit tibi cum victoria Martem.
Sed jam nulla mora est. Tua nunc nunc irrita saxo
Dicta manu. Haec fatus reginam hortatur in hostes.
Continuo exoritur magnum certamen, et ingens
Hinc atque hinc rabies, dum fixum vincere utrisque.
Audentes in tela ruunt. Stat multus ubique
Terror, ubique pavor, mortisque simillima imago.
Nituntur cuncti adversi, seseque viro vir
Obtulit. Invigilant castris avertere pestem
Quisque suis, hostemque fugant, hostiliaque ipsi
Castra petunt, variantque vices, fortunaque ludit
Spe cupidos, et corda morae impatientia torquet.
Funera spargebat fuscae regina cohortis
Per medias animosa acies. Non aemula contra
Opposuit sese virgo, sed calle per hostes
Secreto interea regis tendebat ad alta
Limina. Dein subito captis custodibus arcis
Irruit, atque aditus irrumpens obsidet aulam,
Intentatque necem regi. Tum nigra virago,
Postquam altis vidit canam in penetralibus hostem,
Caede madens strages cito linquit, et imperfecta
Funera, et acta pedem retro exanimata repressit,
Nec timuit mediam se certae opponere morti;
Et patriae, et trepido properans succurrere regi.
Hic aliud maius Phoebo, graviusque dolendum
Objicitur. Nam cornipedem Cyllenius atrum
Huc illuc agitans campo insultabat aperto.
Ardet equus, saltuque furit. Nec destitit ausis
Donec reginae pariter, regique minatus
Optatam tenuit sedem, exitioque futurus
Aut huic aut illi nigrantibus obstitit armis.
Ut vidit, tristi turbatus pectus Apollo
Ingemuit, largusque genis non defuit humor.
Et jam jam labi, atque retro sublapsa referri
Spes omnis, fluxae vires, aversa deum mens.
Arcas successu exultans, ac munere divum
Laetus, ovansque animum, vocemque ad sidera tollit,
Et tandem rediit vigor in praecordia victo.
Protinus inclusam feriens sub Tartara mittit
Reginam, et spoliis potitur non segnis opimis.
Tantum olli bellator equus cadit ilia fossus
Ultoris ferro regis. Nondum tamen expes
Phoebus abit, sed pugnat adhuc, atque agminis albi
Relliquiae pedites duo, et arcu insignis eburno
Martis amor juvenis nequicquam bella lacessunt.
Audentes facit amissae spes lapsa salutis,
Succurruntque duci labenti in funera: sed non
Talibus auxiliis, nec defensoribus istis
Tempus eget. Toto Maia satus aequore saevit.
Instat vi multa nigra virgo, septaque regis
Circuit, excidium intentans, hac perfurit, atque hac,
Nec requievit enim, donec certamine iniquo
Relliquias gentis candentis, et ultima bello
Auxilia absumpsit. Medio rex aequore inermis
Constitit amissis sociis, velut aethere in alto
Expulit ardentes flammas ubi lutea bigis
Luciferis Aurora, tuus pulcherrimus ignis
Lucet adhuc, Venus, et coelo mox ultimus exit.
Nulla salus illi superat, spes nulla salutis,
Non tamen excedit victus, sed claudere sese
Hostiles inter cuneos impune per enses
Actus avet, donec nusquam spatia illa supersint
Effugiis. Nam si nemo illi fata minetur,
Nec superet sedes, quam impune capessere possit,
Nil tantorum operum impensis foret omnibus actum,
Sed labor effusus frustra, viresque fuissent,
Nec titulos quisquam, aut victoris nomen haberet.
Ergo per vacuas sedes, desertaque castra
Nunc huc, rursum illuc incertos implicat orbes
Diffugiens. Niger insequitur rex aequore toto,
Atque fugae semper spatiumque, abitumque relinquit.
Post ubi supremo tendentem limite gressum
Vidit, reginam sedes servare secundas
Jussit, ab angustis ne se ille abducere posset
Ordinibus, tantumque fugae misero ultima restat
Linea. Tum sese contra niger aemulus infert
Dux gentis propriore gradu, sedes tamen una
Alterum ab alterius contactu summovet usque.
Ut vero contra exultantem victus, et expes
Constitit invitus, fortunam nacta virago
Extremam insiliit sedem, totoque minatur
Limite, nec misero restat locus amplius usquam.
Tandem illum surgens virgo crudelis in ensem
Immolat, et finem imposuit sors aspera pugnae
Ingenti Superum plausu, et clamore secundo.
Victor Atlantiades exultat littore toto
Improbus, et victo insultat, ridetque dolentem:
Quem Pater omnipotens ad se vocat, et dat habere
Felicem virgam, qua puras evocet umbras
Pallenti Styge, ut infectum scelus eluit ignis,
Quaque Erebo damnet sontes, et carcere caeco,
Detque, adimatque oculis somnos, et funere in ipso
Lumina lethaeo claudat perfusa sopore.
Mox vero gratum ludum mortalibus ipse
Ostendit deus, et morem certaminis hujus
Italiae primum docuit celebrare colonos.
Namque olim, ut perhibent, dilectam Scacchida, qua non
Inter Seriadas praestantior altera Nymphas,
Compressit ripa errantem, et nil tale putantem,
Dum pascit niveos herbosa ad flumina olores.
Tum bicolorem illi buxum dedit, atque pudoris
Amissi pretium vario ordine picturatam,
Argentique, aurique gravem tabulam addidit, usumque
Edocuit. Nymphaeque etiam nunc servat honorem,
Et nomen ludus, celebrat quem maxima Roma,
Extremaeque hominum diversa ad littore gentes.
Omnia quae puero quondam mihi ferre solebant
Seriades, patrii canerem dum ad flumina Serii. 
FINIS.








English translation
 (by Oliver Goldsmith)



The Game of Chess


Armies of box that sportively engage 
And mimic real battles in their rage, 
Pleased I recount; how, smit with glory's charms, 
Two mighty Monarchs met in adverse arms, 
Sable and white; assist me to explore, 
Ye Serian Nymphs, what ne'er was sung before. 
No path appears: yet resolute I stray 
Where youth undaunted bids me force my way. 
O'er rocks and cliffs while I the task pursue, 
Guide me, ye Nymphs, with your unerring clue. 
For you the rise of this diversion know, 
You first were pleased in Italy to show 
This studious sport; from Scacchis was its name, 
The pleasing record of your Sister's fame. 
When Jove through Ethiopia's parch'd extent 
To grace the nuptials of old Ocean went, 
Each god was there; and mirth and joy around 
To shores remote diffused their happy sound. 
Then when their hunger and their thirst no more 
Claini'd their attention, and the feast was o'er; 
Ocean, with pastime to divert the thought, 
Commands a painted table to be brought.
Sixty-four spaces fill the chequer'd square; 
Eight in each rank eight equal limits share. 
Alike their form, but different are their dyes, 
They fade alternate, and alternate rise, 
White after black; such various stains as those 
The shelving backs of tortoises disclose. 
Then to the Gods that mute and wondering sate, 
You see (says he) the field prepared for fate. 
Here will the little armies please your sight, 
With adverse colours hurrying to the fight: 
On which so oft, with silent sweet surprise, 
The Nymphs and Nereids used to feast their eyes, 
And all the neighbours of the hoary deep, 
When the calm sea, and winds were lull'd asleep. 
But see, the mimic heroes tread the board; 
He said, and straightway from an urn he pour'd 
The sculptured box, that neatly seem'd to ape 
The graceful figure of a human shape:- 
Equal the strength and number of each foe, 
Sixteen appear'd like jet, sixteen like snow. 
As their shape varies various is the name, 
Different their posts, nor is their strength the same. 
Their might you see two Kings with equal pride 
Gird on their arms, their Consorts by their side; 
Here the Foot-warriors glowing after fame, 
There prancing Knights and dexterous Archers came 
And Elephants, that on their backs sustain 
Vast towers of war, and fill and shake the plain. 
And now both hosts, preparing for the storm 
Of adverse battle, their encampments form.
In the fourth space, and on the farthest line, 
Directly opposite the Monarchs shine; 
The swarthy on white ground, on sable stands 
The silver King; and thence they send commands. 
Nearest to these the Queens exert their might; 
One the left side, and t'other guards the right: 
Where each, by her respective armour known, 
Chooses the colour that is like her own. 
Then the young Archers, two that snowy-white 
Bend the tough yew, and two as black as night; 
(Greece call'd them Mars's favourites heretofore, 
From their delight in war, and thirst of gore). 
These on each side the Monarch and his Queen 
Surround obedient; next to these are seen 
The crested Knights in golden armour gay; 
Their steeds by turns curvet, or snort or neigh. 
In either army on each distant wing 
Two mighty Elephants their castles bring, 
Bulwarks immense! and then at last combine 
Eight of the Foot to form the second line, 
The vanguard to the King and Queen; from far 
Prepared to open all the fate of war. 
So moved the boxen hosts, each double-lined, 
Their different colours floating in the wind: 
As if an army of the Gauls should go, 
With their white standards, o'er the Alpine snow 
To meet in rigid fight on scorching sands 
The sun-burnt Moors and Memnon's swarthy bands 
Then Father Ocean thus; you see them here, 
Celestial Powers, what troops, what camps appear.
Learn now the sev'ral orders of the fray, 
For ev'n these arms their stated laws obey. 
To lead the fight, the Kings from all their bands 
Choose whom they please to bear their great commands
Should a black hero first to battle go, 
Instant a white one guards against the blow; 
But only one at once can charge or shun the foe. 
Their gen'ral purpose on one scheme is bent, 
So to besiege the King within the tent, 
That there remains no place by subtle flight 
From danger free; and that decides the fight. 
Meanwhile, howe'er, the sooner to destroy 
Th’ imperial Prince, remorseless they employ 
Their swords in blood; and whosoever dare 
Oppose their vengeance, in the ruin share. 
Fate thins their camp; the parti-coloured field 
Widens apace, as they o'ercome or yield, 
But the proud victor takes the captive's post; 
There fronts the fury of th’ avenging host 
One single shock: and (should he ward the blow), 
May then retire at pleasure from the foe. 
The Foot alone (so their harsh laws ordain) 
When they proceed can ne'er return again. 
But neither all rush on alike to prove 
The terror of their arms: the Foot must move 
Directly on, and but a single square; 
Yet may these heroes, when they first prepare 
To mix in combat on the bloody mead,
Double their sally, and two steps proceed;
But when they wound, their swords they subtly guide 
With aim oblique, and slanting pierce his side. 
But the great Indian beasts, whose backs sustain 
Vast turrets arm'd, when on the redd'ning plain 
They join in all the terror of the fight, 
Forward or backward, to the left or right, 
Run furious, and impatient of confine 
Scour through the field, and threat the farthest line. 
Yet must they ne'er obliquely aim their blows; 
That only manner is allow'd to those 
Whom Mars has favour'd most, who bend the stubborn bows. 
These glancing sidewards in a straight career, 
Yet each confined to their respective sphere, 
Or white or black, can send th’ unerring dart 
Wing'd with swift death to pierce through ev'ry part. 
The fiery steed, regardless of the reins, 
Comes prancing on; but sullenly disdains
The path direct, and boldly wheeling round, 
Leaps o'er a double space at ev'ry bound: 
And shifts from white or black to diffirent colour'd ground. 
But the fierce Queen, whom dangers ne'er dismay, 
The strength and terror of the bloody day, 
In a straight line spreads her destruction wide, 
To left or right, before, behind, aside. 
Yet may she never with a circling course 
Sweep to the battle like the fretful Horse; 
But unconfined may at her pleasure stray, 
If neither friend nor foe block up the way;
For to o'erleap a warrior, 'tis decreed
Those only dare who curb the snorting steed.
With greater caution and majestic state
The warlike Monarchs in the scene of fate
Direct their motions, since for these appear
Zealous each hope, and anxious ev'ry fear.
While the King's safe, with resolution stern
They clasp their arms; but should a sudden turn
Make him a captive, instantly they yield,
Resolved to share his fortune in the field.
He moves on slow; with reverence profound
His faithful troops encompass him around,
And oft, to break some instant fatal scheme,
Rush to their fates, their sov'reign to redeem;
While he, unanxious where to wound the foe,
Need only shift and guard against a blow.
But none, however, can presume t' appear
Within his reach, but must his vengeance fear;
For he on ev'ry side his terror throws;
But when he changes from his first repose,
Moves but one step, most awfully sedate,
Or idly roving, or intent on fate.
These are the sev'ral and establish'd laws:
Now see how each maintains his bloody cause.
Here paused the God, but (since whene'er they wage
War here on earth the Gods themselves engage
In mutual battle as they hate or love,
And the most stubborn war is oft above),
Almighty Jove commands the circling train
Of Gods from fav'ring either to abstain,
And let the fight be silently survey'd; 
And added solemn threats if disobey'd. 
Then call'd he Phoebus from among the Power, 
And subtle Hermes, whom in softer hours 
Fair Maia bore: youth wanton'd in their face; 
Both in life's bloom, both shone with equal grace 
Hermes as yet had never wing'd his feet; 
As yet Apollo in his radiant seat 
Had never driv'n his chariot through the air, 
Known by his bow alone and golden hair. 
These Jove commission'd to attempt the fray, 
And rule the sportive military day; 
Bid them agree which party each maintains. 
And promised a reward that's worth their pains. 
The greater took their seats; on either hand 
Respectful the less Gods in order stand, 
But careful not to interrupt their play, 
By hinting when t' advance or run away. 
Then they examine, who shall first proceed 
To try their courage, and their army lead. 
Chance gave it for the White, that he should go 
First with a brave defiance to the foe. 
Awhile he ponderd which of all his train 
Should bear his first commission o'er the plain; 
And then determined to begin the scene 
With him that stood before to guard the Queen. 
He took a double step: with instant care 
Does the black Monarch in his turn prepare 
The adverse champion, and with stem command 
Bid him repel the charge with equal hand.
There front to front, the midst of all the field, 
With furious threats their shining arms they wield; 
Yet vain the conflict, neither can prevail 
While in one path each other they assail. 
On ev'ry side to their assistance fly 
Their fellow soldiers, and with strong supply 
Crowd to the battle, but no bloody stain 
Tinctures their armour; sportive in the plain 
Mars plays awhile, and in excursion slight 
Harmless they sally forth, or wait the fight. 
But now the swarthy Foot, that first appear'd 
To front the foe, his pond'rous jav'lin rear'd 
Leftward aslant, and a pale warrior slays, 
Spurns him aside, and boldly takes his place. 
Unhappy youth, his danger not to spy! 
Instant he fell, and triumph'd but to die. 
At this the sable King with prudent care 
Removed his station from the middle square, 
And slow retiring to the farthest ground, 
There safely lurk'd, with troops entrench'd around. 
Then from each quarter to the war advance 
The furious Knights, and poise the trembling lance: 
By turns they rush, by turns the victors yield, 
Heaps of dead Foot choke up the crimsond field: 
They fall unable to retreat; around 
The clang of arms and iron hoofs resound. 
But while young Phoebus pleased himself to view 
His furious Knight destroy the vulgar crew, 
Sly Hermes long'd t'attempt with secret aim 
Some noble act of more exalted fame.
For this, he inoffensive pass'd along 
Through ranks of Foot, and midst the trembling throng 
Sent his left Horse, that free without confine 
Roved o'er the plain, upon some great design 
Against the King himself. At length he stood, 
And having fix'd his station as he would, 
Threaten'd at once with instant fate the King 
And th’ Indian beast that guarded the right wing. 
Apollo sigh'd, and hast'ning to relieve 
The straiten'd Monarch, grieved that he must leave 
His martial Elephant exposed to fate, 
And view'd with pitying eyes his dang'rous state. 
First in his thoughts however was his care 
To save his King, whom to the neighbouring square 
On the right hand, he snatch'd with trembling flight; 
At this with fury springs the sable Knight, 
Drew his keen sword, and rising to the blow, 
Sent the great Indian brute to shades below. 
0 fatal loss! for none except the Queen 
Spreads such a terror through the bloody scene. 
Yet shall you ne'er unpunished boast your prize, 
The Delian God with stern resentment cries; 
And wedged him round with foot, and pour'd in fresh supplies. 
Thus close besieged trembling he cast his eye 
Around the plain, but saw no shelter nigh, 
No way for flight; for here the Queen opposed, 
The Foot in phalanx there the passage closed: 
At length he fell; yet not unpleased with fate, 
Since victim to a Queen's vindictive hate.
With grief and fury bums the whiten'd host,
One of their Tow'rs thus immaturely lost.
As when a bull has in contention stern
Lost his right horn, with double vengeance bum
His thoughts for war, with blood he's cover'd o'er,
And the woods echo to his dismal roar,
So look'd the flaxen host, when angry fate
O'ertumed the Indian bulwark of their state.
Fired at this great success, with double rage
Apollo hurries on his troops t'engage,
For blood and havoc wild; and, while he leads
His troops thus careless, loses both his steeds:
For if some adverse warriors were o'erthrown,
He little thought what dangers threat his own.
But slyer Hermes with observant eyes
March'd slowly cautious, and at distance spies
What moves must next succeed, what dangers next arise.
Often would he, the stately Queen to snare,
The slender Foot to front her arms prepare,
And to conceal his scheme he sighs and feigns
Such a wrong step would frustrate all his pains.
Just then an Archer, from the right-hand view,
At the pale Queen his arrow boldly drew,
Unseen by Phoebus, who, with studious thought,
From the left side a vulgar hero brought.
But tender Venus, with a pitying eye,
Viewinc, the sad destruction that was nigh,
Wink'd upon Phoebus (for the Goddess sat
By chance directly opposite); at that
Roused in an instant, young Apollo threw 
His eyes around the field his troops to view; 
Perceived the danger, and with sudden fright 
Withdrew the Foot that he had sent to fight, 
And saved his trembling Queen by seasonable flight. 
But Maia's son with shouts fill'd all the coast: 
The Queen, he cried, the important Queen is lost. 
Phoebus, howe'er, resolving to maintain 
What he had done, bespoke the heavenly train. 
What mighty harm, in sportive mimic fight, 
Is it to set a little blunder right, 
When no preliminary rule debarr'd? 
If you henceforward, Mercury, would guard 
Against such practice, let us make the law: 
And whosoe'er shall first to battle draw, 
Or white, or black, remorseless let him go 
At all events, and dare the angry foe. 
He said, and this opinion pleased around: 
Jove turn'd aside, and on his daughter frown'd, 
Unmark'd by Hermes, who, with strange surprise, 
Fretted and foam'd, and roll'd his ferret eyes, 
And but with great reluctance could refrain 
From dashing at a blow all off the plain. 
Then he resolved to interweave deceits,
To carry on the war by tricks and cheats. 
Instant he call'd an Archer from the throng, 
And bid him like the courser wheel along: 
Bounding he springs, and threats the pallid Queen. 
The fraud, however, was by Phoebus seen; 
He smiled, and, turning to the Gods, he said:
Though, Hermes, you are perfect in your trade, 
And you can trick and cheat to great surprise, 
These little sleights no more shall blind my eyes; 
Correct them if you please, the more you thus disguise. 
The circle laugh'd aloud; and Maia's son 
(As if it had but by mistake been done) 
Recall'd his Archer, and with motion due, 
Bid him advance, the combat to renew. 
But Phoebus watch'd him with a jealous eye, 
Fearing some trick was ever lurking nigh, 
For he would oft, with sudden sly design, 
Send forth at once two combatants to join 
His warring troops, against the law of arms, 
Unless the wary foe was ever in alarms. 
Now the white Archer with his utmost force 
Bent the tough bow against the sable Horse, 
And drove him from the Queen, where he had stood 
Hoping to glut his vengeance with her blood. 
Then the right Elephant with martial pride 
Roved here and there, and spread his terrors wide: 
Glittering in arms from far a courser came, 
Threaten'd at once the King and Royal Dame; 
Thought himself safe when he the post had seized, 
And with the future spoils his fancy pleased. 
Fired at the danger a young Archer came, 
Rush'd on the foe, and levell'd sure his aim; 
(And though a Pawn his sword in vengeance draws, 
Gladly he'd lose his life in glory's cause). 
The whistling arrow to his bowels flew, 
And the sharp steel his blood profusely drew;
He drops the reins, he totters to the ground, 
And his life issued murm'ring through the wound. 
Pierced by the Foot, this Archer bit the plain; 
The Foot himself was by another slain; 


And with inflamed revenge, the battle burns again. 
Towers, Archers, Knights, meet on the crimson ground, 
And the field echoes to the martial sound. 
Their thoughts are heated, and their courage fired, 
Thick they rush on with double zeal inspired; 
Generals and Foot, with different colour’d mien, 
Confusedly warring in the camps are seen,-
Valour and Fortune meet in one promiscuous scene. 
Now these victorious, lord it o'er the field; 
Now the foe rallies, the triumphant yield: 
Just as the tide of battle ebbs or flows. 
As when the conflict more tempestuous grows 
Between the winds, with strong and boisterous sweep 
They plough th’ Ionian or Atlantic deep! 
By turns prevails the mutual blustering roar, 
And the big waves alternate lash the shore. 
But in the midst of all the battle raged 
The snowy Queen, with troops at once engaged; 
She fell'd an Archer as she sought the plain,-
As she retired an Elephant was slain: 
To right and left her fatal spears she sent, 
Burst through the ranks, and triumph'd as she went; 
Through arms and blood she seeks a glorious fate, 
Pierces the farthest lines, and nobly great 
Leads on her army with a gallant show, 
Breaks the battalions, and cuts through the foe.
At length the sable King his fears betray'd,
And begg'd his military consort's aid:
With cheerful speed she flew to his relief,
And met in equal arms the female chief.
Who first, great Queen, and who at last did bleed?
How many Whites lay gasping on the mead?
Half dead, and floating in a bloody tide,
Foot, Knights, and Archer lie on every side.
Who can recount the slaughter of the day?
How many leaders threw their lives away?
The chequer'd plain is fill'd with dying box,
Havoc ensues, and with tumultuous shocks
The different colour'd ranks in blood engage,
And Foot and Horse promiscuously rage.
With nobler courage and superior might
The dreadful Amazons sustain the fight.
Resolved alike to mix in glorious strife,
Till to imperious fate they yield their life.
Meanwhile each Monarch, in a neighbouring cell,
Confined the warriors that in battle fell,
There watch'd the captives with a jealous eye,
Lest, slipping out again, to arms they fly.
But Thracian Mars, in steadfast friendship join'd
To Hermes, as near Phoebus he reclined,
Observed each chance, how all their motions bend,
Resolved if possible to serve his friend.
He a Foot-soldier and a Knight purloin'd
Out from the prison that the dead confined;
And slyly push'd 'em forward on the plain;
Th' enliven'd combatants their arms regain,
Mix in the bloody scene, and boldly war again. 
So the foul hag, in screaming wild alarms 
O'er a dead carcase muttering her charms, 
(And with her frequent and tremendous yell 
Forcing great Hecate from out of hell) 
Shoots in the corpse a new fictitious soul; 
With instant glare the supple eyeballs roll, 
Again it moves and speaks, and life informs the whole 
Vulcan alone discern'd the subtle cheat; 
And wisely scorning such a base deceit, 
Call'd out to Phoebus. Grief and rage assail 
Phoebus by turns; detected Mars turns pale. 
Then awful Jove with sullen eye reproved 
Mars, and the captives order'd to be moved 
To their dark caves; bid each fictitious spear 
Be straight recall'd, and all be as they were. 
And now both Monarchs with redoubled rage 
Led on their Queens, the mutual war to wage. 
O'er all the field their thirsty spears they send, 
Then front to front their Monarchs they defend. 
But lo! the female White rush'd in unseen, 
And slew with fatal haste the swarthy Queen; 
Yet soon, alas! resign'd her royal spoils, 
Snatch'd by a shaft from her successful toils. 
Struck at the sight, both hosts in wild surprise 
Pour'd forth their tears, and fill'd the air with cries; 
They wept and sigh'd, as pass'd the fun'ral train, 
As if both armies had at once been slain. 
And now each troop surrounds its mourning chief, 
To guard his person, or assuage his grief.
One is their common fear; one stormy blast 
Has equally made havoc as it pass'd. 
Not all, however, of their youth are slain; 
Some champions yet the vig'rous war maintain. ,
Three Foot, an Archer, and a stately Tower, 
For Phoebus still exert their utmost power.
Just the same number Mercury can boast, 
Except the Tower, who lately in his post 
Unarm'd inglorious fell, in peace profound, 
Pierced by an Archer with a distant wound; 
But his right Horse retain'd its mettled pride,-
The rest were swept away by war's strong tide. 
But fretful Hermes, with despairing moan. 
Grieved that so many champions were o'erthrown, 
Yet reassumes the fight; and summons round 
The little straggling army that he found,
All that had 'scaped from fierce Apollo's rage,
Resolved with greater caution to engage 
In future strife, by subtle wiles (if fate 
Should give him leave) to save his sinking state. 
The sable troops advance with prudence slow. 
Bent on all hazards to distress the foe. 
More cheerful Phoebus, with unequal pace, 
Rallies his arms to lessen his disgrace. 
But what strange havoc everywhere has been! 
A straggling champion here and there is seen; 
And many are the tents, yet few are left within. 
Th' afflicted Kings bewail their consorts dead, 
And loathe the thoughts of a deserted bed; 
And though each monarch studies to improve
The tender mem'ry of his former love, 
Their state requires a second nuptial tie. 
Hence the pale ruler with a love-sick eye 
Surveys th’ attendants of his former wife, 
And offers one of them a royal life. 
These, when their martial mistress had been slain, 
Weak and despairing tried their arms in vain; 
Willing, howe'er, amidst the Black to go, 
They thirst for speedy vengeance on the foe. 
Then he resolves to see who merits best, 
By strength and courage, the imperial vest; 
Points out the foe, bids each with bold design 
Pierce through the ranks, and reach the deepest line: 
For none must hope with monarchs to repose 
But who can first, through thick surrounding foes, 
Through arms and wiles, with hazardous essay, 
Safe to the farthest quarters force their way. 
Fired at the thought, with sudden, joyful pace 
They hurry on; but first of all the race 
Runs the third right-hand warrior for the prize,-
The glitt'ring crown already charms her eyes. 
Her dear associates cheerfully give o'er 
The nuptial chase; and swift she flies before, 
And Glory lent her wings, and the reward in store. 
Nor would the sable King her hope~ prevent, 
For he himself was on a Queen intent, 
Alternate, therefore, through the field they go. 
Hermes led on, but by a step too slow, 
His fourth left Pawn: and now th’ advent'rous 
White Had march'd through all, and gain'd the wish'd for site.
Then the pleased King gives orders to prepare
The crown, the sceptre, and the royal chair,
And owns her for his Queen: around exult
The snowy troops, and o'er the Black insult.
Hermes burst into tears,-with fretful roar
Fill'd the wide air, and his gay vesture tore.
The swarthy Foot had only to advance
One single step; but oh! malignant chance!
A tower'd Elephant, with fatal aim,
Stood ready to destroy her when she came:
He keeps a watchful eye upon the whole,
Threatens her entrance, and protects the goal.
Meanwhile the royal new-created bride,
Pleased with her pomp, spread death and terror wide;
Like lightning through the sable troops she flies,
Clashes her arms, and seems to threat the skies.
The sable troops are sunk in wild affright,
And wish th' earth op'ning snatch'd 'em from her sight.
In burst the Queen, with vast impetuous swing:
The trembling foes come swarming round the King,
Where in the midst he stood, and form a valiant ring.
So the poor cows, straggling o'er pasture land,
When they perceive the prowling wolf at hand,
Crowd close together in a circle full,
And beg the succour of the lordly bull;
They clash their horns, they low with dreadful sound,
And the remotest groves re-echo round.
But the bold Queen, victorious, from behind
Pierces the foe; yet chiefly she design'd


Against the King himself some fatal aim, 
And full of war to his pavilion came. 
Now here she rush'd, now there; and had she been 
But duly prudent, she had slipp'd between, 
With course oblique, into the fourth white square, 
And the long toil of war had ended there, 
The King had fallen, and all his sable state; 
And vanquish'd Hermes cursed his partial fate. 
For thence with ease the championess might go, 
Murder the King, and none could ward the blow, 
With silence, Hermes, and with panting heart, 
Perceived the danger, but with subtle art, 
(Lest he should see the place) spurs on the foe, 
Confounds his thoughts, and blames his being slow. 
For shame! move on; would you for ever stay? 
What sloth is this, what strange perverse delay?- 
How could you e'er my little pausing blame?- 
What! you would wait till night shall end the game? 
Phoebus, thus nettled, with imprudence slew 
A vulgar Pawn, but lost his nobler view. 
Young Hermes leap'd, with sudden joy elate; 
And then, to save the monarch from his fate, 
Led on his martial Knight, who stepp'd between, 
Pleased that his charge was to oppose the Queen-
Then, pondering how the Indian beast to slay, 
That stopp'd the Foot from making farther way,-
From being made a Queen; with slanting aim 
An archer struck him; down the monster came, 
And dying shook the earth: while Phoebus tries 
Without success the monarch to surprise.
The Foot, then uncontroll'd with instant pride, 
Seized the last spot, and moved a royal bride. 
And now with equal strength both war again, 
And bring their second wives upon the plain; 
Then, though with equal views each hop'd and fear'd, 
Yet, as if every doubt had disappear'd, 
As if he had the palm, young Hermes flies 
Into excess of joy; with deep disguise, 
Extols his own Black troops, with frequent spite 
And with invective taunts disdains the White. 
Whom Phoebus thus reproved with quick return-
As yet we cannot the decision learn 
Of this dispute, and do you triumph now? 
Then your big words and vauntings I'll allow,
When you the battle shall completely gain; 
At present I shall make your boasting vain. 
He said, and forward led the daring Queen; 
Instant the fury of the bloody scene 
Rises tumultuous, swift the warriors fly 
From either side to conquer or to die. 
They front the storm of war: around 'em Fear, 
Terror, and Death, perpetually appear. 
All meet in arms, and man to man oppose, 
Each from their camp attempts to drive their foes; 
Each tries by turns to force the hostile lines; 
Chance and impatience blast their best designs. 
The sable Queen spread terror as she went 
Through the mid ranks: with more reserved intent 
The adverse dame declined the open fray, 
And to the King in private stole away:
Then took the royal guard, and bursting in,
With fatal menace close besieged the King.
Alarm'd at this, the swarthy Queen, in haste,
From all her havoc and destructive waste
Broke off, and her contempt of death to show,
Leap'd in between the monarch and the foe,
To save the King and state from this impending blow.
But Phoebus met a worse misfortune here:
For Hermes now led forward, void of fear,
His furious Horse into the open plain,
That onward chafed, and pranced, and pawed amain.
Nor ceased from his attempts until he stood
On the long-wished-for spot, from whence he could
Slay King or Queen. O'erwhelm'd with sudden fears,
Apollo saw, and could not keep from tears.
Now all seem'd ready to be overthrown;
His strength was wither'd, ev'ry hope was flown.
Hermes, exulting at this great surprise,
Shouted for joy, and fill'd the air with cries;
Instant he sent the Queen to shades below,
And of her spoils made a triumphant show.
But in return, and in his mid career,
Fell his brave Knight, beneath the Monarch's spear.
Phoebus, however, did not yet despair,
But still fought on with courage and with care.
He had but two poor common men to show,
And Mar's favourite with his iv'ry bow.
The thoughts of ruin made 'em dare their best
To save their King, so fatally distress’d.
But the sad hour required not such an aid; 
And Hermes breathed revenge where'er he stray'd. 
Fierce comes the sable Queen with fatal threat, 
Surrounds the monarch in his royal seat; 
Rush'd here and there, nor rested till she slew 
The last remainder of the whiten'd crew. 
Sole stood the King, the midst of all the plain, 
Weak and defenceless, his companions slain. 
As when the ruddy morn ascending high 
Has chased the twinkling stars from all the sky, 
Your star, fair Venus, still retains its light, 
And, loveliest, goes the latest out of sight. 
No safety's left, no gleams of hope remain; 
Yet did he not as vanquish'd quit the plain, 
But tried to shut himself between the foe,-
Unhurt through swords and spears he hoped to go, 
Until no room was left to shun the fatal blow. 
For if none threaten'd his immediate fate, 
And his next move must ruin all his state, 
All their past toil and labour is in vain, 
Vain all the bloody carnage of the plain,
Neither would triumph then, the laurel neither gain. 
Therefore through each void space and desert tent, 
By different moves his various course he bent: 
The Black King watch'd him with observant eye, 
Follow'd him close, but left room to fly. 
Then when he saw him take the farthest line, 
He sent the Queen his motions to confine, 
And guard the second rank, that he could go 
No farther now than to that distant row.
The sable monarch then with cheerful mien 
Approach'd, but always with one space between. 
But as the King stood o'er against him there, 
Helpless, forlorn, and sunk in his despair, 
The martial Queen her lucky moment knew, 
Seized on the farthest seat with fatal view, 
Nor left th' unhappy King a place to flee unto. 
At length in vengeance her keen sword she draws, 
Slew him, and ended thus the bloody cause: 
And all the gods around approved it with applause. 
The victor could not from his insults keep, 
But laugh'd and sneer'd to see Apollo weep. 
Jove call'd him near, and gave him in his hand 
The powerful, happy, and mysterious wand 
By which the Shades are call'd to purer day, 
When penal fire has purged their sins away; 
By which the guilty are condemn'd to dwell 
In the dark mansions of the deepest hell; 
By which he gives us sleep, or sleep denies, 
And closes at the last the dying eyes. 
Soon after this, the heavenly victor brought 
The game on earth, and first th' Italians taught. 
For (as they say) fair Scacchis he espied 
Feeding her cygnets in the silver tide, 
(Scacchis, the loveliest Seriad of the place) 
And as she stray'd, took her to his embrace. 
Then, to reward her for her virtue lost, 
Gave her the men and chequer'd board emboss'd 
With gold and silver curiously inlay'd; 
And taught her how the game was to be play'd.
Ev'n now 'tis honour'd with her happy name; 
And Rome and all the world admire the game. 
All which the Seriads told me heretofore, 
When my boy-notes amused the Serian shore.