60 H. Gf. Raver ty —The Invention of Chess and Backgammon. [No. 1, 
The wise and accomplished Khalifah. Al-Mamun, son of Harun- 
ar-Rashid, composed some lines on chess, which literally are as 
follow :— 
“Upon a square of red-dressed leather, 
Two friends, for generosity well-known, 
Re-call war to mind, and thereon stratagems invent. 
Without the guiltiness of shedding blood therein, 
This assaults that, and that assails this; 
And the eye of vigilance sleepeth not. 
Behold the ingenious foes! how skilfully they move 
Between two hosts, without banner or drum.” 
