Tolkien's Letters

[Rimbaud]

Indeed, sir, what wonders you have raised from my most humble consideration. None other than the dread tower Orthanc, smooth-wrought and haughty, as it is encircled by the peculiarly non-traversable Ring of Isengard.

Sir, such is my unbounded honour at having so edifying an edifice entertain my capricious gift of floor, my nerveless frame shudders at the crass behaviour displayed by offering such a low gift again, so, may Jove and the Pemberton-Wolneys forgive me, but I must set my pickled grey matter to some great Scheme to foil any comfortable interpretation.