Pagina 364 van 1116

The King read my verse and said with a sigh, "Were these

gifts[FN#245] in a man, he would excel all the folk of his time

and age!" Then he called for the chess board, and said, "Say,

wilt thou play with me?"; and I signed with my head, "Yes." Then

I came forward and ordered the pieces and played with him two

games, both of which I won. He was speechless with surprise; so I

took the pen case and, drawing forth a reed, wrote on the board

these two couplets:-

Two hosts fare fighting thro' the livelong day * Nor is their

battling ever finished, Until, when darkness girdeth them about,

* The twain go sleeping in a single bed.[FN#246]