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04-09-2004, 07:30 PM | #1 |
Haunting Spirit
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: A white, wintry wonderland-in the South!!
Posts: 75
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Looking for a context
Hi,
I recently came across a poem,(I'll post the first few lines in a minute), that I love, but I am wondering if anyone knows what the story surrounding it is. It is in one of the Books of Lost Tales(2?) and starts Sing us a tale of Earendil the mariner, chant us a lay of his white oared ship more marvelous cunning than mortal man's pondering, family musical out on the deep chant us a lay of immortal sea-yearning, the Eldar once made ere the change of the light... There's a good deal more, but that's all I can remember. Thanks, Erin
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"He said if I had the cheek to make verses about Earendil in the house of Elrond that was my affair." ~Bilbo~ |
04-10-2004, 12:52 AM | #2 |
A Northern Soul
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Valinor
Posts: 1,847
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The story is found in Chapter 24 of The Silmarillion: "Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath." That's the last chapter of the book, and to summarize it would spoil the entire ending of the book.
Eärendil is Elrond's father, and he sails away in search of help. I recommend reading it the rest for yourself.
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04-10-2004, 06:33 AM | #3 |
Haunting Spirit
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: A white, wintry wonderland-in the South!!
Posts: 75
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Thanks, Legolas, but i am afraid I did not make myself clear. that's what I get for writing this late at night after a long day. I want to know where the poem itself is, and who says it. It seems to be a conversation between two people, a minstrel and someone else, but I don't have the book to find out.
Namarie Edit: Here is the whole poem: Sing us yet more of Earendel the wandering, chant us a lay of his white-oared ship, more marvelous-cunning than mortal man’s pondering, family musical out on the deep. Sing us a tale of immortal sea-yearning The Eldar once made ere the change of the light, Weaving a winelike spell, and a burning Wonder of spray and the odours of night; Of murmurous gloamings out on far oceans; Of his tossing at anchor off islets forlorn To the unsleeping waves’ never-ending sea-motions; Of bellying sails when a wind was born, And the gurgling bubble of tropical water Tinkled from under the ringed stem, And thousands of miles was his ship from those wrought her A petrel, a sea-bird, a white-winged gem, Gallantly bent on measureless faring Ere she came homing in sea-laden flight, Circuitous, lingering, restlessly daring, Coming to haven unlooked for, at night.’ But the music is broken, the words half-forgotten, The sunlight has faded, the moon is grown old, The Elven ships foundered or weed-swathed and rotten, The fire and the wonder of hearts is acold. Who now can tell, and what harp can accompany With melodies strange enough, rich enough tunes, Pale with the magic of cavernous harmony, Loud with the shore-music of beaches and dunes, How slender his boat; of what glimmering timber; How her sails were all silvern and taper her mast, And silver her throat with foam and her limber Flanks as she swanlike floated past! The song I can sing is but shreds one remembers Of golden imaginings fashioned in sleep, A whispered tale told by the withering embers Of old things far off that but few hearts keep.’ -J.R.R Tolkien BoLT 2
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"He said if I had the cheek to make verses about Earendil in the house of Elrond that was my affair." ~Bilbo~ Last edited by Novlamothien; 04-10-2004 at 06:38 AM. |
04-10-2004, 08:53 PM | #4 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
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It sounds to me as if it is a song sung to Lindo, a request for the story of Earendil. Mind you, I didn't go back and check, but off the top of my head, that's the first thing that comes to mind. Although if we just wait, I'm sure Legolas will fill us in. He knows it all.
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04-16-2004, 11:56 PM | #5 |
A Northern Soul
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Valinor
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Ah...I understand. The writings in the two Books of Lost Tales are written from a different perspective than their later versions in The Silmarillion. The entire story from the Silmarillion is being told in the book as a story...a mortal traveller from the future, first named Eriol (later Tolkien changed it to Ælfwine and characterized him as an Englishman from the Middle Ages), has found his way to Tol Eressëa and is being told the story.
This framework is set up in the very first chapter of The Book of Lost Tales titled 'The Cottage of Lost Play.' Eriol finds himself on the island and looking around, finding the cottage where many seem to be gathering for storytelling hour. This is how the stories are told in the Books of Lost Tales, while the "final" version of the Silmarillion (and the other stories) are presented as historical records ultimately collected by Bilbo in his stay with the elves.
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...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art. |
04-18-2004, 01:02 PM | #6 | |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
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Quote:
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Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16 |
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