First the black square, then a white,
Moved by something out of sight,
We are started with a bound,
Knights and castles all around,
Kings and queens and bishops holy!
After that we go more slowly,
While around us with free gaits
Move the taller potentates.
Still we pawns look straight ahead.
To encourage us it’s said
That pawns who reach the utmost square
Are as good as monarchs there.
Meanwhile pawns, if need be, can
By slanted ways remove a man;
But frequently, before we know
What has got us, off we go!