Björn Skifs
Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)
[MOLOKOV]
We wish, no, must
Make our disgust
At this abuse perfectly clear
We're here for chess
Are the U.S.?
If so, why foul the atmosphere?
[FLORENCE & MOLOKOV]
I must protest (We wish)
Our delegation (No, must)
Has a host of valid points to raise (Make our disgust)
Our player's sporting attitude's (At this)
Beyond all praise (Abuse)
As any neutral would attest (Perfectly clear)
But we concede (We're here)
The fact his masters bend the rules (For chess)
Is not a player's fault (Are the U.S.?)
We'll overlook their crude (How can)
Political assault (You make)
And under protest will proceed (Such a claim?)
[MOLOKOV & THE ARBITER]
If your man's so sweet (Point seventeen)
Then why his fighting talk? (No one-way screen)
If he's not a cheat (Will be)
Then why on earth (Allowed)
Did he go take a walk? (In the hall)
[FLORENCE & MOLOKOV]
I am not surprised (Why let him loose?)
He wanted fresher air (He'll soon reduce)
Once he realized (This great)
There was no hope (Event)
Of your lot playing fair (To a brawl)
How sad (It's very sad)
To see (To see the ancient and)
What used (Distinguished game)
To be (That used to be)
[FLORENCE & MOLOKOV]
A model of decorum and tranquillity
Become like any other sport
A battleground for rival ideologies
To slug it out with glee
[THE RUSSIAN & MOLOKOV]
Through (We wish, no, must)
The elegant yelling (Make our disgust)
Of this compelling (At this abuse)
Dispute (Perfectly clear)
Comes (We're here for chess)
The ghastly suspicion (Are the U.S.?)
My opposition's (If so, why foul)
A fruit (The atmosphere?)
[FLORENCE & THE ARBITER]
I don't suppose you'd understand (Point twenty-three)
The strain and pressure (The board)
Getting where he's got (Will be)
For then you'd simply call him (Made in)
Highly strung and not (Sweden)
Imply that he was one of those (Non-aligned wood)
[THE RUSSIAN & MOLOKOV]
But how (It seems to us)
Can you (There's little point in waiting)
Work for one who (Here all night for his return)
Treats you (And since a peaceful match)
Like dirt? (Is our sole concern)
Pay must be good (We won't make an official fuss)
[FLORENCE & MOLOKOV]
I'm not getting rich (In short we rise)
My only interest is (Above your guy's)
In something which (Tantrums)
Gives me the chance (Dramas)
Of working with the best (Dirty tricks)
[THE RUSSIAN & THE ARBITER]
I can only say (Point thirty-one)
I hope your dream comes true (No game begun)
Till that far-off day (By noon)
I hope you cope (Goes on)
With helping number two (After six)
[THE ARBITER & MOLOKOV, THE RUSSIAN & FLORENCE]
It's very sad (How)
To see the ancient (Sad)
And distinguished game (To)
That used to be (See)
[THE ARBITER, MOLOKOV, THE RUSSIAN & FLORENCE]
A model of decorum and tranquillity
Become like any other sport
A battleground for rival ideologies
To slug it out with glee