The Book of Chess

That which one took from the other,
as is now well known to you.
Thus they spent many an hour,
shouting against vice and wickedness original: "vntvgentham"; referring to the boisterous but educational nature of the gathering.
where all the honorable men gathered.
And as the game was passed around,
both the wise and the foolish
found much amusement and joy in it.
The king also caught sight of the game,
and it seemed to him a most strange occasion;
it pleased him right then and there
very well, and he was glad for this new knowledge.
He then requested of the master
that he should now teach him the game,
with which the others had spent
so much time together.
To the master, he found
an answer, and spoke to him:
"Dear King Philomardach, A variation of Evilmerodach, the historical son of Nebuchadnezzar. In the chess allegory, he represents the tyrant who needs reform.
You may yet become a master of it;
learn here what is most constant,
so that you may set aside those unseemly habits
that you have taken upon yourself.
Our young men might thereafter
follow what our hearts desire:
to teach how the poor in spirit may reach
what is beyond excess and impropriety,
through discipline and through virtue. original: "pünfthait"; refers to moral rectitude or uprightness.
Whatever good is spoken before him,
that can only bring profit."

"And one cannot come to any good otherwise."
The king spoke: "That seems to me
well-spoken and entirely right.
For I know very well that no man
can learn any art or achieve victory
unless he conducts himself morally toward us.
Therefore, advise me with the wisdom of the sage."
The master then answered
the king and said: "I am glad of this,
O King, that you have this desire,
so that you may understand yourself and victory. The "victory" here is double-sided: winning at the game and winning over one's own impulses.
Such a thing suits a king well.
And if you desire more from me, then I shall
teach you very gladly
the game and its inner essence.
Since you now wish to be so humble
and become a disciple of mine—
for nothing has pleased me more
than to see this in you.
Since you are a noble king,
and you wish for me to increase your
learning in victory and virtue original: "tigent"; a variant of "tugent" meaning virtue or excellence.
more than all the riches that pass away.
You have honor and fame here,
and also great wealth,
wherever people in this land speak
of vice and of misdeeds."
With such words and in this manner,
the master then looked upon the king
with great discretion. original: "beschaidenheit"; in the Middle Ages, this term meant discernment, wisdom, or the ability to judge correctly.