The Game of Chess Moralized

of his kingdom. And it is to be known that the nobility and dignity of the king is the glory of his people, and that all must intend to obey him and his commands. And it was chosen that among all and above all others, the king should shine and glisten in graces, virtues, and good morals. And this is signified to us by the purple in which he is dressed, for just as the body is dressed and adorned with very beautiful and noble garments, so too must the thoughts within him be adorned with good and virtuous morals. And by the apple original: "pomme"; here referring to the globus cruciger or royal orb, representing the world. or the ball original: "pelote" which he holds in his left original: "senestre" hand, it is demonstrated to us that he must understand and consider that he has the administration of his whole kingdom, and he must govern them duly and do justice to all, as much by himself as by his vicars Deputies or representatives acting on the king's behalf.. And because it belongs to everyone to do justice—that is to say, to restrain the wicked and support the good and their causes—he therefore holds in his right original: "dextre" hand the scepter of severity and justice. And in doing this, he must be full of mercy and wisdom. For he must take heed of an authority that Isidore St. Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636), an influential scholar whose works were widely used to define medieval law and ethics. speaks of: "For the glory of this world is small, and power is fragile and quickly fades away." And he himself would ask one of his disciples: "Where are the kings? Where are the princes? Where are the rich? Where are the wise of this world?" He said: "They have passed away like a dream." ¶ And furthermore, the scepter signifies that in doing justice, he must be rigorous, delightful, and merciful. And concerning the severity he must have against evil deeds, David speaks in the Psalter The Book of Psalms. and says: "You shall govern them with a rod of iron original: "verges de fer"; a reference to Psalm 2:9, Reges eos in virga ferrea. and break them like..."

A delicate ink drawing of a floral vine or leaf scroll is positioned in the bottom right margin, extending upward from the corner.

nobility (the quality of being noble in character), king (the sovereign ruler), graces (divine favor or elegant virtues), morals (conduct and character), purple (the color of royalty), apple/orb (a symbol of worldly power), scepter (a staff symbolizing authority), justice (the administration of law), mercy (compassion or forgiveness), Isidore (Isidore of Seville), David (King David), Psalter (the Book of Psalms)