A Game of Chess

Although I had a check,
To geue the mate is hard,
For I haue found a neck
To kepe my men in gard.

And you that hardy ar
To geue so great assay
Vnto a man of warre —
To driue his men away —,

I rede you take good hede
And marke this foolish verse,
For I will so prouide
That I will haue your ferse.

And when your ferse is had
And all your warre is done,
Then shall your selfe be glad
To ende that you begon.

For yf by chance I winne
Your person in the feeld,
To late then come you in
Your selfe to me to veld.

For I will vse my power,
As captain full of might,
And such I will deuour
As vse to shew me spight.

And for because you gaue
Me checke in such degre,
This vantage loe I haue;
Now checke, and garde to the.

Defend it, if thou may;
Stand stiffe in thine estate;
For sure I will assay,
If I can giue the mate.