| Homespun Poetic Verse | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Evenstar | The Lady of Light | The White City | Weathertop (Movie version) | Ode to Boromir |
| A History on Balrogs | Isildur - A Poem of Prophecy | An Ode to Gandalf | Thangorodrim | Faramir and the Halflings |
| Éomer, son of Éomund | Elrond Halfelven | Legolas, Sindarin Prince | The Charge of the Rohirrim | Fangorn and the Ents |
| The Two Glorfindels | A Lament for Beleg Strongbow | The Founding of Numenor | The Paths of the Dead | A Sestina to Olorin |
| Denethor, Son of Ecthelion | Mitheithel | Grond - the Mace and Hammer | Frodo's Journey | Three Elven Rings for the Elven Kings under the Sky |
| The Evenstar | ||||
| A Noble Maiden of elvish blood was she The choice of Half-Elven was laid on thee Beauty and loveliness she had from birth A likeness of Tinúviel had returned to Middle-earth This dark beauty of wonder came to foretell A beauty never again to appear in Middle-earth to dwell The name was given a choice was made An Evenstar to her people during a time to fade Her contentment was secure for thousands of years Until the son of Arathorn came to love and endear Their troth was set and plighted true At Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien imbued The war with Sauron came to its completion Aragorn was proclaimed; a lordship bearing fruition His destiny made the wedding with Arwen proceeded But a bitter parting with her father Elrond was needed Mortality was the choice that Arwen bade Her love of Aragorn that was greatly made A son Eldarion came to be And untold daughters were laid on thee The Elessar's life came to a conclusion Arwens's grave loneliness was no illusion She traveled to Lorien and the following year She passed away never again to appear Her grave was set where they plighted their troth A dark beauty of the elves never to come forth |
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| The Lady of Light | ||||
| A Noldorin Princess of great beauty Sired by Finarfin the only daughter of thee The theft of the Silmarils was soon achieved A Noldorin rebellion was in part received Fëanor led the Noldor to avenge The theft by Melkor, to obtain revenge The revolt of Fëanor in part she led A ban from Valinor was placed instead She dwelt with Finrod for a time And then to Doriath and enjoyed the clime She met Celeborn and eventually married, And with Elwë's kinsman in Doriath tarried Instructed by Melian, the Maia renowned Wisdom and learning and all she had known The First Age ended and the Valar prevailed Melkor was defeated, through much travail The surviving leader of the Noldor was she To Valinor she came not for the ban was on thee The Second Age came and Galadriel created A realm in Lorien; A Doriath model initiated With her power and the Nenya ring A Girdle of protection on Lorien did bring Shelter and great gifts to the Nine she gave Her refusal of the Ring, both humbled and saved Subsequent to this and to Sauron opposed The ban lifted on Valinor and her desire arose To leave Middle-earth, to go to the Sea With the Ring bearers and the Keepers of the Three |
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| The White City | ||||
| A name altered from Anor the Tower of the Moon fell Seven levels for the Tower of Guard A gate on each level, a different direction to tell from the gate below it was reinforced well Finally, the Great Gate faces eastward A cliff seven hundred feet rises upwards Until it reaches the Citadel's seventh level The Tower of Ecthelion, standing high lifting skywards "within the topmost walls, glimmers like a spike of pearl and silver, tall and fair and shapely, its pinnacle glittered as if it were wrought of crystals..." The brunt of the struggle with Sauron is here The focus of his hate, trepidation and fear The Witch King came and broke the Great Gate But was prevented from entering because of his fate The victory of the West finally came true The Gate was restored by the Dwarves renewed The White Tree replanted, The Nimloth seeding made fair The White City of Gondor, Was resplendent with great care The King has returned, A union made true And for many a year Minas Tirith was renewed | ||||
| Weathertop (Movie version) | ||||
| Aragorn leads the Hobbits away Into the wilds where he does not stray He comes to a point at which to rest At Amon Sul where he thought it was best Swords were given to the Hobbits four For protection and aid in this Great War Whilst Aragon is searching the surrounding way Frodo sleeps at the end of the day The Hobbits cooking fire alights the site The Nazgul learn and come to fight The Hobbits peril is greatly renewed The Nazgul come and three are subdued Frodo is alone and falls from the fray The Nazgul Lord sees his prey In fear and doubt the One Ring is used The Nazgul's nature is truly viewed Angmar stabs Frodo deep with the Morgul Blade His task completed yet someone saves the day Aragorn leaps with fire and sword To quell the Ulairi and the Nazgul Lord They fall away upon the assault There quested completed the prey nearly caught Frodo writhes in excruciating pain His body becomes cold where he is lain Aragorn rushes towards the Ford His beloved Arwen rides with Frodo aboard The Ford of Bruinen is safely crossed The Nine come and dare the cost. Arwen invokes the river's wrath Waves with White horses rage along its path The great river rides over the Nine Their horses scattered, the Nazgul resign Elrond performs the miracle to heal Frodo is cured the splinter revealed. He carries the wound for the rest of his days Until the Havens sought and thus the Evil waylaid. | ||||
| An Ode to Boromir | ||||
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A proud Captain of Gondor was he Ever seeking glory and honor for thee The valiant warrior came once to dream His brother, too upon a great theme "To seek for the Sword that was Broken For Imladris it dwells And the Doom of Men is near at Hand For Isildur's Bane shall awaken And the Halfling forth shall stand" Boromir journeyed for many a day To seek a place of which many hath heard But few knew the way Councils were heard, discussions conveyed The Nine Companions were selected To assist the Ring bearer and the Ring unmade Boromir joined them to complete this thing And concealed his thought to grasp the Ring But his yearning for the One Ring grew And as of yet no one knew The Mines of Moria were hard and tragic For the Grey Wanderer was lost and with it his magic They journeyed through the Golden Wood Where Lady Galadriel perceived his mood She gave him a choice as she held him entranced But Boromir's thought was fixed on this one chance They left the wood well provisioned with care And rowed to the Rauros to counsel there Here it was that Frodo requested To be alone and choose while the others rested Boromir's lust for the Ring came to be Confronting Frodo "It should be mine. Give it to me!" But Frodo slipped It on his finger With Boromir's rage he dare not linger Boromir caught his foot on a stone And there he fell all-alone He rose and thus his rage had passed Madness took him but it did not last. After some time Boromir had returned To the remaining Fellowship grim and concerned Aragorn questioned him on what he had done The Fellowship was scattered, lost and undone Aragorn's anger came from this query He sent Boromir to track Pippin and Merry When Aragorn heard the Horn of Gondor He dashed towards the sound not waiting to ponder He came to a glade and found Boromir seeming at rest Yet he was pierced with many arrows with blood on his chest His horn was cloven in two and at his side Many Orcs were lay slain piled alongside Boromir awoke and tried to speak The Halflings taken by the Orcs impure But they are not dead of this I am sure He paused briefly and thus spoke again "Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed. " But Aragorn replied to his call "Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fall" At this Boromir smiled and thus expired The Heir of Denethor, Lord of the Tower Guard. | ||||
| A History on Balrogs | ||||
| Spirits of Fire and Demons of Terror Drawn to the splendor at the height of Melkor's power Allied with Him down into the darkness Corrupted with lies and gifts of emptiness Melkor gathered them in the fastness of Utumno Corrupted like their Master and Darkness cloaked Whips of Flame and Hearts Fired Terror and Might was all they desired When Melkor returned with the Great Jewels Ungoliant thirsted and wanted to consume She grew ever larger and lusted for more And Melkor refused to give what He bore She spun Her webs and Melkor screamed The fearful anguish His Balrogs streamed They issued from Angband and Ungoliant fled Spinning Her webs whilst She bled The Balrogs were part of Melkor's plan To rule and subjugate with them at the van Their leader Gothmog was their Lord Angband's High Captain of that mighty Horde Many battles the Balrogs did partake Feanor and Fingon were felled in their wake Gothmog's weapon an axe of blackness Was finally defeated in Gondolin's vastness Gothmog was slain by Gondolin's Protector Though Ecthelion's life was forfeit by the endeavor Other losses of note were yet to come The Noble Elf Glorfindel did slay such a one Encircling Mountains in the realm of Gondolin The lives of Elf and Balrog were taken within Tuor and Idril were justly saved the fated birth of Earendil she shortly gave The Balrog's were lost, destroyed or slain When the Valar came and Middle-Earth reclaimed Some did sleep in the roots of the earth And stayed entombed for many an Age Until one was awakened by Dwarfish greed They delved too deep for Mithril's need Here was Durin cruelly slain Thus the name of Durin's bane With the Death of Nain the Dwarves did leave But their desire to return never recedes Finally Balin came with a Dwarfish Host Yet within 5 years all was lost A Fellowship of Nine did dare the Mines Gandalf the Grey led them in kind They nearly traversed Moria's realm But a Shadow waited with fiery helm Gandalf did sense the Ancient Foe the Khazad-dum Bridge didst battle and Lo Flames of Udun and Anor fought to and fro The Balrog fell before Gandalf's reach Yet whips of flame dragged him over the breach The struggle ensued at this bottomless Pit Clutching and hewing in this aged crypt The Balrog ran up the Mountain's core Gandalf followed he could do no more They emerged anew on the mountaintop The Balrog's flame would not stop Finally Gandalf threw his Enemy down And broke the mountain impacting the ground The Balrog laid ruined and smited The evil destroyed the Shadow alighted. | ||||
| Isildur - A Poem of Prophecy | ||||
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A Dunadan of Numenor and Elendil's heir Anarion his brother completed this great pair Whilst still a youth his courage shown A fruit of Nimloth saved and thus renown The downfall of Numenor came and much was lost The Faithful sailed away and belayed the cost and arrived at Pelargir with the surviving host The Kingdom of Gondor originated thus The Tower of the Moon became his trust The final battle with Sauron ensued A Last Alliance against Evil imbued The Father fell, the brother perished But Isildur cut off the Enemy's finger and claimed what Sauron cherished His pride and honor took over his thought -- I will save this Ring for it was dearly bought Thus the evil workings of the Ring came to the fore An ambush made for Isildur and more He tried to flee by using the Ring And swim away with his precious thing It slipped off his finger and he became known The Orcish archers at last were shown The arrows pierced him and he was slain And to Anduin's depths the One Ring remains | ||||
| An Ode to Gandalf | ||||
| A Friend to all Free Peoples was he The destiny fulfilled and came to be He passes through fire, earth, water and air To be reborn and defend what is fair A Balrog became the footstool of doom And thrusted Gandalf beyond the gloom The Dark Lord's greatest nemesis was his call And the chief architect of Sauron's Downfall Aragorn's coronation culminated history For Gandalf was the Chief and this his victory The Third Age was his to bring this to fruition Through magic and heart he completed his mission He wore the Elven ring, Narya to heal many woes And strengthen the heart to Sauron's foes In days of yore another name was known Olorin, who dwelt in Lorien's home Nienna instructed him and gave assurance For he learned much pity and endurance A messenger of Valinor, a Maiar of some right One of five Istari to contest Sauron's might. Forbidden was he to reveal his full strength And though Immortal, he was tempted at length He chose through his heart and was saved Because of his humility and all that he gave The Istari Leader submitted and was seduced By the forces of evil and became traduced Saruman the White, his pride and vanity Lead to many a woe and great calamity Thus, Gandalf the Grey rose in kind And broke the staff of the Cunning Mind He fulfils his destiny and completes the page And thus brings an ending to the Third Age | ||||
| Thangorodrim | ||||
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Three great peaks raised by Melkor's hand They thrust skyward and oppress the land Foul vapors and lava spew out on the plain Where great battles fought and many were slain The delving of Angband was its source With slag and refuse to set its course Here the great elven lord Maedhros hung in place His right wrist pinned on the mountain's face The great Eagle Thorondor bore him away His hand was lost as the price to pay To gain freedom and fight Morgoth again The Great Battle here was fought the ruin of Morgoth was finally wrought The great peaks broken by the dragon's weight Ancalagon the Black fell and was no more The tumultuous ruin caused the land to roar Uplifting and thrusting the earthen core A force alas that caused the end Of that famed realm of Beleriand | ||||
| Faramir and the Halflings | ||||
| His ancestry lies in the depths of Numenor A Dúnadan of Gondor , second son of Denethor His bearing is noble, gentle and discerning A fondness for the land, music and learning One who can read the minds of others Leading the Rangers by example, - a band of brothers For battle he cared not for its own sake Yet a valiant warrior leaving enemies in his wake Two Halflings were caught crossing the land His craft and guile laid open the truth at hand He queried his captors and what they intend And weighed all options before entering Henneth Annún Perceiving much from his cross-examination A brother's demise, the Grey Pilgrim's elimination But more than this he began to comprehend On Isildur's Bane, a mighty heirloom and weapon Whether by fate or chance revealed this thing The Halfling's error, the Enemy's Ring But a vow was taken before it was known - I would not take it even found on the highway alone. For this Man of Gondor a truth-speaker shall be Boasting seldom, then performing or ending to achieve Even if he were to desire the Dark Lord's Ring A vow was taken, holding all that would bring. He releases the captives and Smeagol, too For he was found by the Forbidden Pool. He grants freedom and protection in Gondor's land For a year and a day this doom shall stand. Two staves are given as gifts for farewell The Halflings re-provisioned, their hunger to quell And so in parting the Halfling did say That friendship was found, unlooked for along the way | ||||
| Éomer, son of Éomund | ||||
| His ancestry lies in the depths of Numenor Sister-son to Theoden, Rohan’s King Loyalty, fealty and honor to sing Eomund father suffers an orcish fate Foster-son thus to this Sovereign state Third Marshal of the Mark was assigned Northern Rohan, a realm to consign Aldburg in Folde, Éomer came to dwell The heritage bequeathed, a father felled Saruman’s minions came forth to contend First battle of Isen, Theodred’s end Hence, First Marshall is Éomer’s estate Despite Grima’s treachery and Theoden’s fate A mandate given through this treacherous leech The King’s orders, northern Rohan left to breach Yet Éomer pursues an Orcish host’s scorn From East Emnet to forest Fangorn Here the slaughter is finally done, Orcs are slain to the very last one Yet two hobbits escape and to the Forest flee An avalanche begins, Saruman’s peril yet to see The Three Hunters met by Edoras way Horses are given, a pledge not to delay Gandalf revives and restores Theoden King Grima flees spitting, like a slimy thing To Hornburg they go to deny the White Hand There is great loss from this insidious band Victory achieved, Erkenbrand arrived The White Rider cleaves, not to be denied Saruman is done yet one still remains The Enemy in Mordor, its legions contained A Muster of Rohan begins apace The foothills of Dunharrow as a dwelling place Éomer is saddened by Aragorn’s choice The Dead await, an ally to voice ‘yet in battle we may meet again’ I deem Though Mordor’s hosts ‘should stand between’ Here the six thousand ride to renown To Pelennor’s Fields, Minas Tirith shown For Theoden King, a death awaits Snowmane’s fall, the Nazgul Lord berates It’s fate is sealed by a womanly guise A Halfling assists, destiny in disguise Éomer is shaken. A sister is shown to fall Devirly and madness Death take us all But Sauron’s host remains to take the field Haradrim, orcs and Trolls that will not yield A seeming ally comes to the shores The Corsairs of Umber and all is forlorn Out of doubt, out of dark to the day’s dawn Gondor’s King comes, Anduril’s flame drawn Aragorn and Éomer meet at the fields of Pelennor In spite of Sauron’s army that comes to the fore. Much is lost yet the battle is won. The Enemy is defeated, the Ring undone Éomer is King, Eowyn renewed Theoden is honored with fealty imbued Éomer weds a child of Imrahil Lothirel of Dol Amroth; beauty instilled In later life when death is near Merry and Pippin by request appear In autumn of that year of sixty three The passing of Éomer came to be Rohan expands by this Eighteenth King With loyalty, fealty and honor to sing | ||||
| Elrond Halfelven | ||||
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The star dome Peredhil; half-elven born With a brother Elros captured forlorn A Feanor son Maglor aided them both Saved for many deeds that fate brought forth The First Age ended, a Valar choice considered Elrond Half-elven was Elvenkind permitted Power and wisdom was thus conferred A penetrating mind a world preferred In Lindon dwelt with Gil-galad King Sent to Eregion and aid to bring Remnants of Noldor with Elrond fled Eregion overrun, Celebrimbor dead Imladris founded, Rivendell in name Great Elven refuge of ultimate fame Last alliance founded, Sauron defeated Herald of the King and all that was needed Gil-galad fell on that day of woe Elrond heir Ring Vilya bestowed Great redeemer to all in Imladris dwelt Those he aided, the healing hand felt The Third Age began, a marriage led Galadriel’s daughter, Celebrian wed Two sons and a daughter came into the world Arwen Undomiel, a beauty unfurled Wisdom and knowledge to a Fellowship bring Healing to Frodo Baggins and its deadly sting A daughter married to a Numenor King A parting of sadness, an everlasting thing The Grey Havens went with the Elven Lords The rings were passing, their bearers adored To the Undying Lands Elrond came Elvenkind ending, a blessed name | ||||
| Legolas, Sindarin Prince | ||||
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Legolas Greenleaf of princely state Bounteous prowess have greatly shown The bow, the knife, and elfish fate And you the very blessed shape known In all external grace, you have some part But in all else a steadfast constant heart Friendship born from dwarfish toil Lasting gift, that Time doth flourish Delving the arrow for the orcish foil Enemies slain and Uruks perish Oath breakers come, the dead awake Sindarin prince heedless, phantoms a feared Yet, shores of water, out of the sea partake The Sea longing arises an elfish fate endeared | ||||
| The Charge of the Rohirrim | ||||
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Leagues upon leagues on the came Valiant and stalwart Eorlingas Into the Valley of Death they rode The Horseriders six-thousand No one here was dismayed All took heart and bestrode the plain Here they made a great reply Here they yelled with warriors’ pride Death! Death ! Death! Thus it came to Theoden King Thengel’s son, Snowmane did bring Cry now! Cry Now! To the World’s ending! Into the valley of Death they rode The Horseriders six-thousand Spears were raised, swords were drawn Here at Pelennor the Enemy was shorn Orcs before them, Uruks beside them Trolls stood there to defy them Horns were blown, on they came Thousands strong volleyed and thundered Boldly they rode, all could tell The jaws of death, the mouth of hell Into the valley of Death they rode The Horseriders six-thousand Eorlingas break the Enemy’s line Orcs do flee, like cowardly swine Yet a second line forms and stands Mumakil and Haradrim striding the land Horses are crushed, Eorlingas perish Darkness ensues, Evil is cherished The Nazgul Lord sees his prey The Fell beast dives into the fray Into the valley of Death they rode The Horseriders six-thousand Theoden’s horse is undone His body broken under the Sun The Witch King comes to claim his own Yet a Horse rider here stands alone The Fell Beast tries to feast on its prey Yet the Rider twice cleaves the Beast away The Nazgul Lord strides forth alone Breaking the shield arm of his foe Into the valley of Death they rode The Horseriders six-thousand The Witch King comes and grabs his foe No man can kill me! He prepares a deathblow From behind the Halfling came Merry the valiant stabbing with pain The Witch King screams and drops his prey He falls on his knees on Pelennor’s plains His Foe unfurls her helmet and lo I am no man! She stabs her deadly foe The Witch King shrivels and is shorn away The Enemy lessened on this hellish day So passes Theoden, Thengel’s son Many a Horseriders’ life is done Here their glory can never fade O that wild charge greatly made All of Middle-earth will come and wondered Honor this charge that thousands thundered Those who fought as stalwart shields The Noble Eorlingas on Pelennor’s fields. | ||||
| Fangorn and the Ents | ||||
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A disciple of Yavanna conjectured to be A Maia spirit to shepherd the trees He and others guard the woodland realm The ‘Olvar’ protected and not to overwhelm For many an Age did Treebeard abide The Third Age in Fangorn he did reside There Wellinghall was a place to call home An Ent-House to settle whilst he did roam Two hobbits did come to this Entish land A chain of events started, an Ent-moot planned Though slow to anger and long to speak The destruction of Saruman the Ents did seek Treebeard leads the Entish host Huorns to trample the hated Orcs Consequently deflating Saruman’s boast His machines of industry floating like corks The besiegers at Hornburg are rescued & saved Their hidden allies came like darkness engraved Isengard is taken, the enemy subdued Treebeard renames, Treegarth is renewed Though many a battle was yet to be fought A War of the Ring continued,the Dark Lord sought The Ents did play a crucial and strategic part With Treebeard to lead them and give them heart It may well be with the coming New Age That the men may outlast the Entish gage Yet Treebeard and others when their time is done May return to Yavanna with memories of Eru the One. | ||||
| The Two Glorfindels | ||||
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A mighty warrior and elf lord imbued Turgon of Gondolin had justly viewed Gondolin’s days were now numbered few The Enemy at last, their location knew He sent His Balrog’s, the Udûn flames grew The Noble Elf Glorfindel did slay such a one At the Encircling Mountains, yet his life was undone It insured the safety of Tuor and Idril And thus the fated birth of Earendil He stayed in the Halls that Mandos ruled Yet Manwë forgave and his life renewed Thus re-embodied, the Blessed Realm dwelt Maiar companionship was greatly felt Friend and follower of Olorin could be A concern heightened; Gandalf was not free His “angelic” power was noted, too The Witch king fled from his wrathful view And so it could be thought that he was sent As emissary and aid in Elrond’s “tent” A rightful place in the War of the Ring The Ringbearer saved, to Rivendell did bring Source: "the Peoples of Middle-Earth' Vol. X | ||||
| A Lament for Beleg Strongbow | ||||
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A Sindarin Elf of Doriath was he Warrior woodsmen that came to be In Thingol’s realm, an archer to be feared Haladin aided, a war of Unnumbered Tears A Year of Lamentation ensued Battle Grief was readily viewed Apprenticed Turin, in arms and deed Two great captains, giving aid in need Although a bowman by right, Yet in his last year did take The sword Anglachel to fight His enemies fled in its wake His friend Turin was captured and subdued The Orcish captors take him to Amon Rûdh Beleg rescues Turin from this grisly end But Turin bewitched,slays his dear good friend And so passes Beleg, the Strongbow Sindarin elf Betrayed by a sword’s malice and a friend to himself His Bow Belthronding is buried with him As Turin grieves for his unknowing whim | ||||
| The Founding of Numenor | ||||
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The evil Morgoth is now in the Void Yet the malice wrought; Men cannot avoid The Valar take counsel and much insight Edain are delivered away from this plight Ossë the Maia raises from the Sea Numenor Island to answer this plea Made firm by Aulë the Vala Smith Lord Within sight of Avallónë in every accord Yavanna graces it with grasses and trees, Elves give fountains and blossoms to see Eonwë the Maia bestows wisdom and power Manwë Sulimo grants long life to flower Elros, Earendil’s son, is Numenor’s first king The Second Age begins, Edain peace to bring Here they landed on the western shore Andúnië named for the sunset it bore Exploring inland, they found a great peak Meneltarma - Heaven’s pillar, for all to seek Here was the Temple that is sacred to Eru Varda’s stars seen from this unroofed view At the mountain’s base, a city is born Fair Armenolos for all to adorn The splendor of Gondolin is thus renewed Elros raises - a tower and citadel imbued One restriction came from the Valar’s lore Sailing westward beyond sight of Numenor’s shore Lest tempted and lured to the Undying Lands A Ban of the Valar to the Edain demands Eldar came and succored Numenor’s needs But greatest of all were the White Tree’s seeds Galathalion’s seedling from Telperion the Fair For the Edain to see which was beyond compare Duty and compassion had compelled the Edain Returning to Middle-Earth to assist and refine For knowledge and wisdom had been lax instead Teaching to harvest corn, grinding grain for bread Yet as time rolled on the temptation grew The fear of old age and the weakness it drew Manwë grew sorrowful over this discontent Morgoth’s evil still gained on Man’s intent Messengers from Valinor to Numenor conveyed Calming Edain’s grievances and tensions frayed Eru’s decrees, the Edain’s mortality in strife Changes made only by the One who created life Valinor and Eressëa are not deathless consigned The inhabitants’immortality are by Eru’s design. Were the Edain to sail forth towards the Undying land Their death the sooner, the shining light cannot withstand Eru’s design for the Second born the Valar cannot see Perceived as a gift without fear or repining for all to be Allow not the idea of dying with gloom demeaning Adhering to Morgoth’s lies, about death’s meaning Beware disobedience and betrayal of Eru-Iluvatar Dundedain’s trust expected; not on one in the Void afar Cherish the hope that beyond death there is consummation Iluvatar will reveal all, unless the Edain desire retaliation The Edain for the moment are calmed and contented Yet strife begins and on Elves and Valar resented Two camps emerge, the Kings Men and the Faithful The latter a minority, yet strive to be faithful Power desired, in Middle-earth strong towers built Lording, instead of teaching, on people without guilt The Elendili, the Faithful keep themselves apart This oppression and unhealthy practice, an evil art Yet now Ar-Pharazon, Miriel married, usurps the throne Laws of succession breached and first cousins known Traits tyrannical with pride and ambition Power unfettered without opposition King of all Men was what Ar-Pharazon desired A great army at Umbar, Sauron’s obedience required. Sauron abases, feigning meekness and wise state Numenor he is brought filling him with envy and hate Within three years time, by flattery, cunning and guile Numenor’s destruction was set with a gleeful smile So Ar-Pharazon and many worship Melkor as Lord Iluvatar’s temple neglected, forbidden to go toward Amandil, Elendil’s sire began to despair The White tree will be cut beyond repair Isildur in youth his courage shown, A fruit of Nimloth saved and thus renown. The King then had Nimloth cruelly hewn down Burning the wood, defiling the very ground Ar-Pharazon the cruel and grimmest tyrant was he Sauron’s leechcraft listened dooming all to be The tree cut down, the prophecy assured Elendil and sons had nine ships secured Laden with jewels, scrolls and learning Storing the sapling with care discerning Here there also came foreseeing future need The generous Eldar Fëanor’s palantíri “Three ships and tall kings Three times three, What brought they from the foundered land Over the flowing sea? Seven stars and seven stones And one white tree.” Ar-Pharazon's heart hardened and sailed the forbidden seas Manwë’s warning not heeded - Eagled clouds, lightning trees. Setting foot on Aman his doom now sealed Manwë calls Eru, his wrath revealed Iluvatar in anger destroys what they cherish Numenor Island and its navies perish Upon this deep chasm, wide cataracts are open Thus ending the reign of Ar-Pharazon the Golden Therefore, like Atlantis, Numenor sank Sucking down all with Sauron to thank One last wave so curling high Swept over this land with a great sigh | ||||
| The Paths of the Dead | ||||
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A Second Age legend has come to fruition The oathbreakers stand to fulfill their mission The Dark years of yore a curse was lain A Dark Lord worshiped, yet all was in vain Isildur overpowers the Sauron Lord Invoking the curse on the Oathbreaker horde Their people fade away becoming diminished Yet the Spirits remain, their duty unfinished The Stone of Erech where the oath was made Is now a dwelling for the dreadful shades The Forgotten People stand to fulfill their pact From the North shall he come, bringing them back Need shall drive him to the Dead Path’s door Aragorn comes to restore and more Their aid is needed, at the stone they wait The Black banner unfurled, the Enemy awaits The minions at Pelargir must be undone The Corsairs of Umbar; many ships come. Aragorn yells ‘By the Black stone I call you!’ The Deadly host rises, their terror ensues The Enemy flees, their fear awakened The Deadly host comes, the ships are taken Thus the oath was finally achieved The Dead can rest, their task received Thus the designs of Mordor were defeated Overthrown by Wraiths of fear when needed The Enemy’s own weapons of Terror and fear Were used against Him when triumph was near. | ||||
| A Sestina to Olorin | ||||
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The Grey Pilgrim and healer of hearts A noted Istari come forth from the West Wisdom to show and conveyed in parts Defending the Free Peoples, enduring the test Flame of Anor wielding, a Balrog departs The Halflings come forth, a Hobbit’s quest The One ring is found Frodo begins the quest Mithrandir sustains and lightens many hearts The Istari Grey leads them bearing the test The union of Free Peoples, the world in parts Council is taken for the safety of the West The Nine companions from Rivendell departs A Spirit of Fire embattled, Gandalf departs The Fellowship broken, and end to a quest A Balrog slain, a life renewed imbuing hearts The Grey is gone The White instills to test The Rohirrim united, a land of many parts Helms Deep defended, White Wizard of the West Saruman unleashes his host against the West Aid is needed for Helm, the White Rider departs The Halflings are captured, curtailing their quest Gandalf rides forth, instilling men’s hearts Halflings are freed, reasserting their test The hosts of Sauron to Mordor comes in parts Curunir defeated, his staff in broken parts Gandalf the White and the hosts from the West The Elven ring Narya strengthening hearts Halflings stumbling to the Doom of their quest Mithrandir rides Shadowfax to Gondor in parts Sauron’s great nemesis continues to test Gandalf’s does aim to push the Eye to the test Sauron’s probing beyond Mordor in parts A Pelennor Fields battle, the hosts of the West The bait is taken the Black horde departs The One Ring destroyed Gollum aids their quest A black cloud rises a lightening of hearts Gandalf races with eagles to fulfill the test Guarding freedom of Peoples and Middle-Earth in parts To the Havens they go now a culminating quest | ||||
| Denethor, Son of Ecthelion | ||||
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Denethor, son of Ecthelion Born during my grandsire Turgon’s reign Whilst still a youth Sauron emerged again Shortly thereafter Turgon came to eternal rest Ecthelion ascends; A Steward’s wisdom for Mordor to test
He encouraged all from far and wide
A victory in Umbar the Corsair’s fleet overwhelmed
I listen to counsel and listened to what was brought
Grim and silent I became in this Steward’s estate
A price is paid for contesting Sauron’s will
The prophecy comes, Isildir’s bane is found
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To the younger son, Faramir by name
Rebuking Faramir for not taking the Ring
I will not yield Osgiliath to the Enemy unfought
The battle made, my forces overwhelmed
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Already burning, the heart, the mind, the soul.
Upon this pyre, I am waylaid
There can be no victory against the Enemy today
Thus passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion | ||||
| Mitheithel | ||||
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The ‘grey well’ flows from the icy North From the Misty Mountains it springs forth Its southward flows through the woodland The Rhudaur Kingdom once held this land Passing through the haunts of Trolls It comes upon woodland knolls.
The Last Bridge crosses its southerly course | ||||
| Grond - the Mace and Hammer | ||||
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Morgoth’s weapon of choice It gave his might a voice Defeating Fingolfin at last A Noldorin prince is past
My Master is now in the Void
A Ram one hundred feet in length
The Enemy’s gate was destroyed
With Sauron meeting his ultimate fate | ||||
| Frodo's Journey | ||||
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In 3018 the gathering storm shakes The calming peace of the Shire breaks Gandalf the Grey heralds the Ring’s true call To bring all in darkness and bind them all
Frodo the Ring-bearer leaves the Shire
Four stages does Frodo’s journey take
In Imladris the shoulder healed
The Fellowship formed that numbers nine
This stage complete a means to an end
By resolute will and courage revealed
Frodo tormented by the wheel of fire
Frodo’s will breaks and puts on the Ring
Hand in hand upon that volcanic hill
Frodo has served Middle-Earth well | ||||
| Three Elven Rings for the Elven Kings under the Sky | ||||
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Celebrimbor brought a Noldorin host To dwell in Eregion by a Dwarvish post There did Sauron by deceit and guile Guide the Ring making in Elvish style
Yet Celebrimbor saw Sauron’s true self
Vilya, Narya and Nenya, the names ring true
The Rings were hidden its uses were forestalled
There the Elvish Rings came to great use
Vilya the mightiest Ring of three
To Nenya the Adamant did much unseen
Lastly is Narya , the Ring of Fire
Cirdan perceived and thus bestowed
Yet with the One Ring’s ultimate demise | ||||
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