Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility) - Chess In Concert

We wish, no, must, make our disgust

With this abuse perfectly clear

We’re here for chess

Are the U.S.

If so, why foul the atmosphere?

I must protest-- our delegation

Has a host of valid points to raise

It’s not just black and white

If I may coin a phrase

As any neutral would attest

But we concede

The fact his masters bend the rules

Is not your player’s fault

We’ll overlook your crude political assault

And under protest we’ll proceed

If your man’s so sweet

Then why his fighting talk?

If he’s not a cheat

Then why on earth did he go take a walk?

I am not surprised

He wanted fresher air

Once he realized

There was no hope

Of your lot playing fair

Why let him loose?

He’ll soon reduce

This great

Event

To a brawl

How sad

To

See

It’s very sad to see

The ancient and distinguished

Game that used to be

A model of decorum and tranquility

Become like any other sport--

A battleground for rival ideologies

To slug it out with glee

I would say with regard

To him, it is hard to rebut

Ever-growing suspicions

My opposition’s a nut

I would have said

You’d understand the strain

And pressure getting where he’s got

For then you’d simply call him highly strung

And not imply that he was off his head

But how on earth can someone even

Half as civilized and nice as you

Be part of such a self-destructive point of view?

I hope he pays you what you’re worth

I’m not getting rich

My only interest is

In something which

Gives me the chance

Of working with the best

Okay, we’ll rise

Above your guy’s

Tantrums

Dramas

Dirty tricks

I can only say

I hope your dream comes true

Till that far-off day

I hope you cope

With helping number two

How sad

To

See

It’s very sad to see

The ancient and distinguished

Game that used to be

A model of decorum and tranquility

Become like any other sport--

A battleground for rival ideologies

To slug it out with glee