Page:The Works of Abraham Cowley - volume 2 (ed. Aikin) (1806).djvu/169

As full of art and industry,
Of courage and of policy,
As we ourselves, who think there's nothing wise but we!
Here a proud Pawn I admire,
That, still advancing higher,
At top of all became
Another thing and name;
Here I'm amaz'd at th' actions of a Knight,
That does bold wonders in the fight;
Here I the losing party blame,
For those false Moves that break the Game,
That to their Grave, the Bag, the conquer'd Pieces bring,
And, above all, th' ill-conduct of the Mated King.

"Whate'er these seem, whate'er philosophy
"And sense or reason tell," said I,
"These things have life, election, liberty;
"’Tis their own wisdom moulds their state,
"Their faults and virtues make their fate.
"They do, they do," said I; but straight
Lo! from my enlighten'd eyes the mists and shadows fell,
That hinder spirits from being visible;
And lo! I saw two angels play'd the Mate.
With man, alas! no otherwise it proves;
An unseen hand makes all their Moves;
And some are great, and some are small,
Some climb to good, some from good-fortune fall;
Some wise-men, and some fools, we call;
Figures, alas! of speech, for Destiny plays us all.