1. God's great mercy and pardon
Forgives every sin, passion and idle play

2. O Creator of all things eternally
Your mercy and knowledge encompass perfectly

3. O First in mercy and care
Granter of success and wisdom rare

4. By Your grace protect us from stumbling
For that is better for us than our deeds numbering

5. Exalted is He who created humankind
Endowing them with reason and eloquence refined

6. Though He sustains His servants despite their disobedience
The Forgiving One will take them to account nonetheless

7. To deny the part of free will, deluded they are
Yet to man is ascribed choice, in summary

8. Leave this matter ordained by fate
Some say "It happened as it was written" my mate

9. While other matters by fate are ordained
Yet of them this is said: "By their effort obtained"

10. All is done by one steadfast Doer
Woe to those who deny and disbelieve in Him, the Fool

11. The secret remains behind a veil
Though glimpsed at times when barriers fail

12. To the bat is the dawn obscured
Naught but confusion can be inferred

13. From here, let us speak in description
With gentle expression and apt precision

14. I've composed some pieces small in form
Yet to the wise, grave and far from the norm

15. Strung like a necklace fresh and new
Not crude or contrived, the chosen few

16. Concise yet expansive in each verse
Profound meanings beneath the terse

17. Its composer remains unnamed
Though absent, let him not be blamed

18. No boast of natural virtues made
But the human condition displayed

19. In innate manners and insight wise
He knew his limits, of humble guise

20. In India chess was created
The Persians observed and reiterated

21. As if the Indian hinted furtively
To those whose leisure had notoriety

22. All were misguided, far from the creed
Of Sunnis, rightly guided indeed

23. The chess inventor believed in fatalism
Denying free acts categorically

24. Quintessence of pure monotheism
Evident, with proofs of the Divine warrant

25. For all contingent depends on the Omnipotent
Thus different for man is his earned fate

26. By wisdom of the One, the Willing and Potent
Denial of choice shadows this belief

27. Yet to man in general is choice the brief
Let us leave this matter of predestination

28. Some say "It was plotted", a duplication
While other matters plotted by the divine

29. Of them it is said: "By their design"
All is done by one steadfast Doer

30. Woe to those who reject, the obstinate fool
The morn's advent veiled from bats in full

31. May glimpses by insight the veil annul
From here gently by description proceed

32. With refined expression your wisdom stampede
I've joined small pieces of imagery

33. Grave to the wise though of blended tracery
Beads on a string, fresh and bright

34. Not crude or contrived, though novice in sight
Concise yet broad in meaning for each verse

35. Profound beneath, the expression terse
Neither titled nor named its fashioner

36. Though unnamed, let him not dishonored be
No boast of talents he made

37. But the human condition displayed
In manners innate and insight sage

38. He knew his limits of humble stage
In chess the Hindus their minds applied

39. The Persians observed, they reiterated
As if the Hindu hinted furtively

40. To those whose leisure gained notoriety
All were misguided from the Creed

41. Of Sunnis, guided aright indeed
Fatalists invented this chess feign

42. Acts they deem fixed, an idolatrous claim
For us all is by the Mighty Maker done

43. Contingent on His will, the matchless One
To man is a type of choice allowed

44. By wisdom of the One, the Willing, no doubt
Lest invalidated be recompense

45. Lost reward and retribution against offense
Denial of choice shadows this belief

46. Yet to man in general is choice the brief
Let us leave the matter of fate

47. Some say "It happened" though frustrate
While matters of fate some obtain

48. By effort's design and wise aim
May both join and cease contention

49. Fate and free acts find dimension
Much like the matter of chess engaged

50. Conflicting views may find assuage
So the rational conclude and aver

51. It is a sea with no coast or shore
Two armies led by guiding stars

52. Each has its protectors and ministers
Trusting the conduct to two bound

53. Leaders, amongst the greatest found
No king dares near an opposing crown

54. Nor views truce, their stations known
Embroiled forever in enduring strife

55. Till one meets his death, ends his life
The king's aide and wise vizier

56. Guarding the central squares with might
Above all pieces his power and sight

57. Surrounded by twenty seven abodes
Counting his zones the eight roads

58. None who challenged him here did endure
All but two met their end, dark and dire

59. How many formations he did invert
Troops' arrays shredded and subvert

60. Any he catches certainly dies
For prey's destiny is the falcon's prize

61. Mark the rook's resilient campaign
With endless stamina despite pain

62. Often sweeping with might intrinsic
Snatching queens, then swift and mystic

63. Foray and withdraw, beware his assault
Joined with the knight, even stronger vault

64. The prancing knight, intrepid and daring
Headlong in battle, all perils sharing

65. His independent skills merit attention
His moves match no others' invention

66. No same squares nor pattern perceived
None can predict how he may weave

67. Bay or gray, purebred and tall
Black or brown, piece shaped night's pall

68. If provoked, your will he may refuse
Beware if you force him against his use

69. Gently stroke his eyes, reward and befriend
Though served by many, peerless he'll contend

70. Elsewhere, like an ass with noble line
His nature is betrayed, no longer fine

71. So respect him, let his virtues blossom
His glory apparent, princely awesome

72. The bishop's powers merit caution
Guide his steps, avoid his predation

73. The rook like elephant with probing snout
Can sweep the board if you don't route

74. Attack or divert, confuse his advance
Lest he o'erwhelm with his countenance

75. Call him pawns, the hardy shield
Who never retreat but sacrifice when felled

76. Set firm, they allow no passage home
What the first misses, the next will hound

77. Scorpions, when ably maneuvered
Are lethal when cleverly delivered

78. Now hear what I say regarding its ways
Wise counsel for those who spend time and days

79. Beneath prudent maxims' inclusion
And subtle wisdoms' infusion

80. Insights from humor the keen may reap
Beyond cups and wine, though side feats

81. Jests at times can salutary be
As wit in all matters gains currency

82. Silence, reflection, patience and calm
Stillness, composure, delay of harm

83. Thoughtful planning secrets will extract
Success with care and tact

84. No triumph without considered pace
Far from recklessness, or coward's place

85. When speech and clamor judgment prevent
The truth appears not, only dissent

86. No gain for impetuous, hasty ones
Nor irascible, stubborn sons

87. Between recklessness and truth a divide
No counsel the foolish can provide

88. Regret awaits the reckless, imprudent guide
And blame for those who cautions deride

89. Scorn not one thought puny in your eyes
If aiming to grow he strives and tries

90. A spark once kindled flares into fire
Many small things gain might and ire

91. In battle, some risks may profit
With care and seeking each bit

92. Withhold no feeble piece from the attack
If dealing a major blow is no lack

93. But mind consequences in each selection
And think through motives and plan of action

94. The correct goals will imagination evince
Not rashness, but nor cowardice wins

95. When options seem equal, the mind confused
Letters patent, and caution the muse

96. Scorn not one overwhelmed with panic dread
Nor with bait of ambition misled

97. When the king is threatened, plan for safety
His loss greater than all else calamity

98. Expose not your king in isolation
Such desperate acts invite expiration

99. God bless the adept concealing his aim
Striking unseen, his strategy and game

100. Subtle threats from light square finesse
Can morph to grave and dire duress

101. The more cryptic to minds and wise
The more portent and peril in guise

102. The opponent is lured to danger unguessed
Till the ruse and spell manifest

103. Magic undetected spreads charm
Compelling folly to suffer harm

104. Few players refrain from undue interference
However unwitting, impeding competence

105. With gestures, signs, or just a frown
Silence useless chatterers, don't back down

106. Curb exceeding claims of pure authority
Discretion gains more credibility

107. Reprove the fool nor his antics suffer
Kindly teach, don't blame or anger

108. Suggest, don't demand, avoid friction
Seeking assent maintains jurisdiction

109. Win or lose, a smile may mend
Praise as warranted or a poem send

110. Mildly wounding as claws that scrape
Not to cause anger beyond escape

111. Patience and composure when fate is unfair
Are virtues beyond all else and rare

112. Anger enlarges sorrow and loss
Scatter wits, judgment at cost

113. The defeated excuses will propose
Complex, cool, and morose

114. As lovers denied, dismayed and forlorn
When meeting guardian or watcher's scorn

115. Threats and hints of vengeance may be cast
As the defeated takes the conflict past

116. Murmurings, unintelligible dissent
Like scorpion tails when mischief is meant

117. When the leopard unleashes mayhem in anger
Pause before reacting, not rash or bitter

118. Observe all with eyes askance
Venting frustration with sigh or glance

119. As a timid thief filled with alarm
When constables approach to disarm

120. Addled as birds when talons draw near
Targeting fledglings for their cheer

121. Feign sympathy, conceal any delight
Lest honesty breed future spite

122. Express consolation for their wracked nerves
Or help, though contrived and undeserved

123. Hint obliquely, more than speak outright
Signals better than waving incite

124. Especially when whispering aside
Then winking, may turn the tide

125. With exclamations like "He never quit!
Kept me up all night, not a bit

126. His daze explains his current fix
But soon his skill will re-emerge and flex"

127. And "Don't laugh friends, no mirth in his fall
Laughing without cause may on you recall"

128. Some laugh until coughing fits start
Or coughing persists til they depart

129. Most tend to victor's camp incline
According to varying past combine

130. Fun or serious, all contingent
On ties formed by time and temperament

131. Those whose supporters began to slip
No excuses can his errors eclipse

132. Don't play one exceeded in skill
Who makes reason and action his will

133. Nor a lost soul, confused and dazed
For habits become heartily praised

134. Don't engage one prone to speak or act wild
For nature loves its routine style

135. Nor a dolt, unless you condescend
Keeping him dependent until the end

136. The feeble you'll unlikely defeat
If you scorn his weakness and indiscreet

137. No gain bandying words with a fool
The foolish in insults only school

138. Beware one who curses and accuses foul
Can you avoid his slandering howl?

139. Some swear oaths or force the same
Admitting the wrong, but not taking blame

140. Some laugh until they loudly hack
Then hacking persists til they pack back

141. In speech avoid faults, guard your tongue
For that is the wise, old and young

142. Don't mock poverty, the poor man sustains
No honor in wealth one lightly obtains

143. Spurn arrogance or claims to excel
Humility with brothers is wise and well

144. Boasting of status is proof of Vice
That is the loudmouth's device

145. Slander and gossip lead to rejection
Heeding them reaps only dejection

146. Lies and tall tales breed animosity from the vile and rascal with enmity
Liars have fallen from virtue's crest

147. Sinking to moral depravity's depth
Likewise curses make outcasts pariah

148. Scripture prohibits such slippery via
Nothing but aloofness merits the fool

149. I see conflict spreads much like a ghoul
By tongue and heart man's known

150. Beyond garb's veil truth is shown