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Tho' weak their spears, tho' dwarfish be their height,
[1]Compact they move, the bulwark of the fight.
To right and left the martial wings display
Their shining arms, and stand in close array.
Behold, four archers, eager to advance,
Send the light reed, and rush with sidelong glance;
Through angles ever they assault the foes,
True to the colour, which at first they chose.
Then four bold knights for courage-fam'd and speed,
Each knight exalted on a prancing steed:
[2]Their arching course no vulgar limit knows,
Tranverse they leap, and aim insidious blows:
- ↑ The chief art in the Tacticks of Chess consists in the nice conduct of the royal pawns; in supporting them against every attack; and, if they are taken, in supplying their places with other equally supported: a principle, on which the success of the game in great measukre depends, though it seems to be omitted by the very accurate Vida.
- ↑ Il cavallo leffier per dritta lista,
Come gli alui, l'arringo unqua non fende,
Mà la lizza attraversa, e fiero in vista
Curvo in giro, e lunato il salto stende,
E sempre nel saltar due case acquista,
Quel colore abbandona, e questo prende.
Marino, Aldone. 15.
