The Game of Chess

on his head; this signifies his high dignity. For his dignity is an honor to the people, as all his subjects pledge themselves to him and are obedient to him. In his left hand he shall have a golden apple. original: "guldin apfel." This refers to the globus cruciger or "orb," a symbol of the world over which the monarch rules. This signifies that he is a protector and a distributor to all his subjects, acting either by himself or through his representatives. verwesern: governors, deputies, or administrators acting in the king's name In his right hand he shall have a scepter. This signifies his justice, with which he shall subdue the wicked who cannot be tamed by love or by goodness. Regarding this, King Solomon says: "Justice has established the throne of the king." This refers to Proverbs 16:12: "the throne is established by righteousness."

First, kings should be gentle, senftmüetig: soft-hearted, mild-tempered, or humble and mercy should shine from them. Regarding this, Seneca spoke to Nero: "Of all things, nothing suits a king so well as gentleness, for he who wishes to be loved should rule with a gentle hand." Seneca’s "De Clementia" (On Mercy) was a popular text used to teach rulers how to govern with restraint rather than tyranny. Valerius also speaks of this: "Human sweetness original: "menschleicheu suezichait," referring to the Latin 'humanitas' softens the harshness of severity and tames and subdues the untamed mind."

We have an example original: "ebenpild" (image or parable) of this in the Duke of Athens, Peisistratos. A 6th-century BCE ruler of Athens, often used in medieval literature as a model of the 'good tyrant' or benevolent ruler. One reads of him that his daughter once walked before her mother, and a youth met her whose beauty so moved him that he kissed her in front of her mother. For this reason, the mother complained to the prince and begged that the youth be beheaded. There...