Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
April 13, 1874
The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer
Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
A narrative poem depicting a man courting Bessie during a chess game by the fireside, blending romantic pleas with chess metaphors, ending with a kiss and her acceptance as he loses the game but wins her love.
Clipping
OCR Quality
75%
Good
Full Text
The Intelligencer.
"TO MATE IN THREE MOVES."
Crimson the heart of the sea-coal are,
Bessie and I, in the ruddy glow,
Her mother reads, and the old grandsire
Dreams of his youth in the long ago."
Quiet and warmth and love in the room,
Now or never my suit to press;
Where hyacinths shed their sweet perfume
We play two games—one love—one chess.
Queen of the red, and queen of my heart,
When will you wear my golden ring?
Finishing her cheeks the roses start,
Slyly she murmurs, "Check to your king."
My pawns advance, pieces on and die;
The bishops battle in lines oblique;
My brave knights fall: but I can't tell why
My heart grows strong as my game grows weak.
Darling, answer me, lift your eyes;
Your mother sleeps and the time approves.
Speak, sweet mouth, with a glad surprise;
You'll be mated, sir, in three more moves.
Then let this be one—and her dimpled hand
Looks all the fairer for a plain gold ring;
In vain I rally my scattered band
As again she checks my poor lost king.
Nearer her dark brown curls to mine,
The chessmen seem in dark eclipsed,
"Check!" shall I die and make no sign?
And steal a kiss from her ripe red lips.
"Mate?" And her joyous eyes proclaim
Who wins in love, and who in chess;
And the pride of my life is the golden game
That was lost when I won my darling Bess.
"TO MATE IN THREE MOVES."
Crimson the heart of the sea-coal are,
Bessie and I, in the ruddy glow,
Her mother reads, and the old grandsire
Dreams of his youth in the long ago."
Quiet and warmth and love in the room,
Now or never my suit to press;
Where hyacinths shed their sweet perfume
We play two games—one love—one chess.
Queen of the red, and queen of my heart,
When will you wear my golden ring?
Finishing her cheeks the roses start,
Slyly she murmurs, "Check to your king."
My pawns advance, pieces on and die;
The bishops battle in lines oblique;
My brave knights fall: but I can't tell why
My heart grows strong as my game grows weak.
Darling, answer me, lift your eyes;
Your mother sleeps and the time approves.
Speak, sweet mouth, with a glad surprise;
You'll be mated, sir, in three more moves.
Then let this be one—and her dimpled hand
Looks all the fairer for a plain gold ring;
In vain I rally my scattered band
As again she checks my poor lost king.
Nearer her dark brown curls to mine,
The chessmen seem in dark eclipsed,
"Check!" shall I die and make no sign?
And steal a kiss from her ripe red lips.
"Mate?" And her joyous eyes proclaim
Who wins in love, and who in chess;
And the pride of my life is the golden game
That was lost when I won my darling Bess.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
Chess Courtship
Romantic Advances
Bessie
Mate In Three
Fireside Game
Poem Details
Title
To Mate In Three Moves.
Subject
Courtship Through Chess Game
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Queen Of The Red, And Queen Of My Heart,
When Will You Wear My Golden Ring?
You'll Be Mated, Sir, In Three More Moves.
"Mate?" And Her Joyous Eyes Proclaim
Who Wins In Love, And Who In Chess;