This is part of one of my favourite Tolkien poems, taken from "The Last Ship" where a mortal woman called Fìriel witnesses the departure of elves from ME.
To mortal fields say farewell ,
Middle-earth forsaking!
In Elvenhome a clear bell
in the high tower is shaking.
Here grass fades and leaves fall,
and sun and moon wither,
and we have heard the far call
that bids us journey thither.’
The oars were strayed. They turned aside:
‘Do you hear the call, Earth-maiden?
Fíriel! Fíriel!’ they cried.
‘Our ship is not full-laden.
One more only we may bear.
Come! For your days are speeding.
Come! Earth-maiden elven-fair,
our last call heeding.’
Fíriel looked from the river-bank,
one step daring;
then deep in clay her feet sank,
and she halted staring.
Slowly the elven-ship went by
whispering through the water:
‘I cannot come!’ they heard her cry.
‘I was born Earth’s daughter!
[ September 29, 2002: Message edited by: Glorfinniel the Lost ]
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But Lancelot mused a little space, he said 'She has a lovely face' God in his mercy lend her grace, The Lady of Shalott
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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