“Corsican Checkmate by Stewart Stafford With one loyal warhorse, I could snatch victory! You force an ultimatum, An eagle downed for wrens. Are you battle steeds, Or brood mares of a new stallion? Or do you take my knight, In impotent checkmate? I, Napoleon, ruled Europe, From Brest to Brest-Litovsk, A chicken feather’s stroke, And my empire falls. You offer exile to Elba, Reaping rich estates Which I secured for you, Silence is my thanks. Give me your vile scrap, No death warrant, but close, I’ll scratch my mighty name, Here’s my blood — begone! This about the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte. © 2025, Stewart Stafford. All rights reserved.” BetrayalChessExileDefianceDownfallHubrisMilitary HistoryNapoleon BonaparteHistorical PoetryHorse Imagery Author:Stewart Stafford