SELECT POETRY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 175, 15 June 1871, Page 7

SELECT POETRY.

O H E S S.

Two Persians had engaged in such deep play, that the whole fortune of one of them was gained by his opponent. He who played the White was the ruined man ; and made desperate by his loss, offered his favourite wife as his last stake. The game was carried on until he would have been checkmated by his adversary's next move. The lady, who had observed the game from a window above, cried out to her husband, in a voice of despair, "to sacri6ce his castle, and save his wife." The following ia_a poetical version of the story :— • When the stream of Solforena Winds along the sileTit vale ; Where the palm-trees softly murmur Waving to the gentle gale. By the myrtle woven windows Of an old romantic seat. Sat at Chess two noble Persians, Sheltered from "the scorching heat. Here with beating breast, Alcanzor View'd the deep eventful play, There, with black, o'er-arching eyebrows, Sat the Caliph, Mehomed-Bey. But with wary eye the Persian .' Marks each passion of the heart ; , And, the gallant, brave Alcanzor Yields, a victim to his art. Soon his ancient store of treasures, Soon his wealth and wide domain, Soon the glories of his fathers, Fall,- the crafty Caliph's gain. Now he maddens as the lion Raging through the desert grove ; Now with desp'rate oath he pledges Zaida's beauties,— Zaida's love. Mehomed-Bey the offer seizes, Triumph glistens in his eyes ; Ah ! rash youth, that thou hadst never Dared to risk so fair a prizs ! For impending ruin threatens To devote the hapless love ;— But ! what piercing accents issue From the latticed height above ? 'Tis the beauteous Zaida crying, Halt distracted, — " Oh / my life. To the foe concede thy castle, And from death preserve thy wife /"

Position of the above game at the critical moment when fair Zaida came to the rescue of her better-half :— White (Zaida's husband.) Black (the Caliph.) X at X R 4 sq X at Q Xt sq BatK4 QatKKt2 R at Q R 2 R at X Xt sq PatQKtG RatQKt7 P at Q B 6 White to play, and mate in two moves.