Nr. 280
Calcutta nr. 280 *
Ouseley MS 140 - 94
To speak plain language, and not in parables,
we are the pieces and heaven plays the game,
we are played together in a baby-game upon the chessboard of existence,
and one by one we return to the box of non-existence.
Christensen 1927 - 6
To speak the truth and not as a metaphor, we are
the pieces of the game and Heaven the player.
We play a little game on the chessboard of existence.
Then we go back to the box of non-existence, one by one.
Heron-Allen 1899 - 69
To speak plain language, and not in parables,
We are the pieces and heaven plays the game,
We are played together in a baby-game upon the chessboard of existence.
And one by one we return to the box of non-existence.
Nicolas 1867 - 231
Nous ne sommes ici-bas que des poupées dont la roue des cieux s' amuse, ceci est une vérité et non une métaphore. Nous sommes en effet, des jouets sur ce damier des êtres, que nous quittons enfin pour entrer un à dans le cercueil du néant.
Payne 1898 - 480
We 're the pieces Heaven moves on the chessboard of space
(No metaphor this, but the truth of the case);
Each awhile on Life's board plays his game and returns
In the box of nonentity back to his place.
Thompson 1906 - 317
In truth and not by way of simile.
Heaven plays the game and its mere puppets we;
In sport moved on Life's chess-board, one by one
We reach the chess-box of Nonentity!
Whinfield 1883 - 270
We are but chessmen, destined, it is plain,
That great chess player, Heaven, to entertain;
It moves us on life's chess-board to and fro,
And then in death's dark box shuts up again.