Lay of Leithian Canto IV: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
No edit summary
m (minor formatting)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Anke Eissmann - Trial of Beren.jpeg|thumb|left|300px|'''Trial of Beren''' by [[Anke Eissmann]]]]{{lolcantos}}This [[Cantos of the Lay of Leithian|Canto]] first speaks of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and his bliss.  Then it tells of [[Lúthien Tinúviel|Lúthien]]’s return and their dance, and how [[Daeron|Dairon]] espied them, and as he loved Lúthien he betrayed them to [[Thingol]].  Then how Lúthien led Beren into [[Menegroth]] after Thingol promised her that his life would be spared.  There he requested the hand of Lúthien, and Thingol, as he was bound to his oath not to harm Beren, in his wrath gave the bride-price as a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]]. Then Beren laughed as if it were a small thing, and left the hall with the promise to bring one back.  This fourth canto can be considered the true beginning of the quest.
{{lolcantos}}
[[Image:Anke Eissmann - Trial of Beren.jpeg|thumb|300px|''Trial of Beren'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
This [[Cantos of the Lay of Leithian|Canto]] first speaks of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and his bliss.  Then it tells of [[Lúthien Tinúviel|Lúthien]]’s return and their dance, and how [[Daeron|Dairon]] espied them, and as he loved Lúthien he betrayed them to [[Thingol]].  Then how Lúthien led Beren into [[Menegroth]] after Thingol promised her that his life would be spared.  There he requested the hand of Lúthien, and Thingol, as he was bound to his oath not to harm Beren, in his wrath gave the bride-price as a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]]. Then Beren laughed as if it were a small thing, and left the hall with the promise to bring one back.  This fourth canto can be considered the true beginning of the quest.


==The Canto==
== The Canto ==
<blockquote>
[[Beren Erchamion|He]] lay upon the leafy mould<br>
his face upon the earth’s bosom cold<br>
aswoon in overwhelming bliss<br>
enchanted of an elvish kiss<br>
seeing within his darkened eyes<br>
the light that for no darkness dies<br>
though all in ashes cold be laid.<br>
Then folded in the mists of sleep<br>
he sank into abysses deep<br>
drowned in an overwhelming grief<br>
for parting after meeting brief;<br>
a shadow and a fragrance fair<br>
lingered, and waned, and was not there.<br>
Forsaken, barren, bare as stone<br>
the daylight found him cold, alone.<br>
</blockquote>


:He lay upon the leafy mould
<blockquote>
:his face upon the earth’s bosom cold
"Where art thou gone?  The day is bare<br>
:aswoon in overwhelming bliss
the sunlight dark and cold the air!<br>
:enchanted of an elvish kiss
[[Tinúviel]], where went thy feet?<br>
:seeing within his darkened eyes
O wayward star!  O maiden sweet!<br>
:the light that for no darkness dies
O flower of Elfland all too fair<br>
:though all in ashes cold be laid.
for mortal heart!  The woods are bare!<br>
:Then folded in the mists of sleep
The woods are bare!" he rose and cried.<br>
:he sank into abysses deep
"Ere spring was born, the spring hath died!"<br>
:drowned in an overwhelming grief
And wandering in path and mind<br>
:for parting after meeting brief;
he groped as one gone sudden blind<br>
:a shadow and a fragrance fair
who seeks to grasp the hidden light<br>
:lingered, and waned, and was not there.
with faltering hands in more than night.
:Forsaken, barren, bare as stone
</blockquote>
:the daylight found him cold, alone.
:


:‘Where art thou gone?  The day is bare
<blockquote>
:the sunlight dark and cold the air!
And thus in anguish [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] paid<br>
:Tinúviel, where went thy feet?
for that great doom upon him laid,<br>
:O wayward star!  O maiden sweet!
the deathless love of [[Lúthien]],<br>
:O flower of Elfland all too fair
too fair for love of mortal Men;<br>
:for mortal heart!  The woods are bare!
and in his doom was Lúthien snared,<br>
:The woods are bare!’ he rose and cried.
the deathless in his dying shared;<br>
:‘Ere spring was born, the spring hath died!’
and Fate them forged a binding chain<br>
:And wandering in path and mind
of living love and mortal pain.
:he groped as one gone sudden blind
</blockquote>
:who seeks to grasp the hidden light
:with faltering hands in more than night.
:


:And thus in anguish Beren paid
<blockquote>
:for that great doom upon him laid,
Beyond all hope her feet returned<br>
:the deathless love of Lúthien,
at eve, when in the sky there burned<br>
:too fair for love of mortal Men;
the flame of stars; and in her eyes<br>
:and in his doom was Lúthien snared,
there trembled the starlight of the skies,<br>
:the deathless in his dying shared;
and from her hair the fragrance fell<br>
:and Fate them forged a binding chain
of elvenflowers in elven-dell.
:of living love and mortal pain.
</blockquote>


<blockquote>
Thus Lúthien, whom no pursuit,<br>
no snare, no dart that hunters shoot,<br>
might hope to win or hold, she came<br>
at the sweet calling of her name;<br>
and thus in his her slender hand<br>
was linked in far [[Beleriand]];<br>
in hour enchanted long ago<br>
her arms about his neck did go,<br>
and gently down she drew to rest<br>
his weary head upon her breast.<br>
A! Lúthien, Tinúviel,<br>
why wentest thou to darkling dell<br>
with shining eyes and dancing pace,<br>
the twilight glimmering in thy face?<br>
Each day before the end of eve<br>
she sought her lover, nor would him leave,<br>
until the stars were dimmed, and day<br>
came glimmering eastward silver-gray.<br>
Then trembling-veiled she would appear<br>
and dance before him, half in fear;<br>
there flitting just before his feet<br>
she gently chid with laughter sweet;<br>
"Come! dance now, Beren, dance with me!<br>
For fain thy dancing I would see.<br>
Come! thou must woo with nimbler feet,<br>
than those who walk where mountains meet<br>
the bitter skies beyond this realm<br>
of marvelous moonlit beech and elm."
</blockquote>


:Beyond all hope her feet returned
<blockquote>
:at eve, when in the sky there burned
In [[Doriath]] Beren long ago<br>
:the flame of stars; and in her eyes
new art and lore he learned to know;<br>
:there trembled the starlight of the skies,
his limbs were freed; his eyes alight.<br>
:and from her hair the fragrance fell
kindled with a new enchanted sight;<br>
:of elvenflowers in elven-dell.
and to her dancing feet his feet<br>
attuned went dancing free and fleet;<br>
his laughter welled as from a spring<br>
of music, and his voice would sing<br>
as voices of those in Doriath<br>
where paved with flowers are floor and path.<br>
The year thus on to summer rolled,<br>
from spring to a summertime of gold.
</blockquote>


<blockquote>
Thus fleeting fast their short hour flies,<br>
while [[Dairon]] watches with fiery eyes,<br>
haunting the gloom of tangled trees<br>
all day, until at night he sees<br>
in the fickle moon their moving feet,<br>
two lovers linked in dancing sweet,<br>
two shadows shimmering on the green<br>
where lonely-dancing maid had been.<br>
"Hateful art thou, O Land of Trees!<br>
May fear and silence on thee seize!<br>
My flute shall fall from idle hand<br>
and mirth shall leave Beleriand;<br>
music shall perish and voices fail<br>
and trees stand dumb in dell and dale!"
</blockquote>


:Thus Lúthien, whom no pursuit,
<blockquote>
:no snare, no dart that hunters shoot,
It seemed a hush had fallen there<br>
:might hope to win or hold, she came
upon the waiting woodland air;<br>
:at the sweet calling of her name;
and often murmured [[Grey Elves|Thingol’s folk]]<br>
:and thus in his her slender hand
in wonder, and to their king they spoke:<br>
:was linked in far Beleriand;
"This spell of silence who hath wrought?<br>
:in hour enchanted long ago
What web hath Dairon’s music caught?<br>
:her arms about his neck did go,
It seems the very birds sing low;<br>
:and gently down she drew to rest
murmurless [[Esgalduin]] doth flow;<br>
:his weary head upon her breast.
the leaves scarce whisper on the trees,<br>
:A! Lúthien, Tinúviel,
and soundless beat the wings of bees!"
:why wentest thou to darkling dell
</blockquote>
:with shining eyes and dancing pace,
:the twilight glimmering in thy face?
:Each day before the end of eve
:she sought her lover, nor would him leave,
:until the stars were dimmed, and day
:came glimmering eastward silver-gray.
:Then trembling-veiled she would appear
:and dance before him, half in fear;
:there flitting just before his feet
:she gently chid with laughter sweet;
:‘Come! dance now, Beren, dance with me!
:For fain thy dancing I would see.
:Come! thou must woo with nimbler feet,
:than those who walk where mountains meet
:the bitter skies beyond this realm
:of marvelous moonlit beech and elm.’
:


:In [[Doriath]] Beren long ago
<blockquote>
:new art and lore he learned to know;
This Lúthien heard, and there the queen<br>
:his limbs were freed; his eyes alight.
her sudden glances saw unseen.<br>
:kindled with a new enchanted sight;
But [[Thingol]] marvelled, and he sent<br>
:and to her dancing feet his feet
for Dairon the piper, ere he went<br>
:attuned went dancing free and fleet;
and sat upon his mounded seat—<br>
:his laughter welled as from a spring
his grassy throne by the grey feet<br>
:of music, and his voice would sing
of the Queen of Beeches, [[Hirilorn]],<br>
:as voices of those in Doriath
upon whose triple piers were borne<br>
:where paved with flowers are floor and path.
the mightiest vault of leaf and bough<br>
:The year thus on to summer rolled,
from world’s beginning until now.<br>
:from spring to a summertime of gold.
She stood above Esgalduin’s shore,<br>
where long slopes fell beside the door,<br>
the guarded gates, the portals stark<br>
of the [[Menegroth|Thousand echoing Caverns]] dark.<br>
There Thingol sat and heard no sound<br>
save far off footsteps on the ground;<br>
no flute, no voice, no song of bird,<br>
no choirs of windy leaves there stirred;<br>
and Dairon coming no word spoke,<br>
silent amid the woodland folk.<br>
Then Thingol said: ‘O Dairon fair,<br>
thou master of all musics rare,<br>
O magic heart and wisdom wild,<br>
whose ear nor eye may be beguiled,<br>
what omen doth this silence bear?<br>
What horn afar upon the air,<br>
what summons do the woods await?<br>
Mayhap the Lord [[Tavros]] from his gate<br>
and tree-propped halls, the forest-god,<br>
ride his wild stallion golden-shod<br>
amid the trumpets’ tempest loud,<br>
amid his green-clad hunters proud,<br>
leaving his deer and friths divine<br>
and emerald forests?  Some faint sign<br>
of his great onset may have come<br>
upon the Western winds, and dumb<br>
the woods now listen for a chase<br>
that here once more shall thundering race<br>
beneath the shadoe of mortal trees.<br>
Would it were so!  The Lands of Ease<br>
hath Tavros left not many an age,<br>
since Morgoth evil wars did wage,<br>
since ruin fell upon the North<br>
and the [[Gnomes]] unhappy wandered forth.<br>
But if not he, who comes or what?"<br>
And Dairon answered: "He cometh not!<br>
No feet divine shall leave that shore,<br>
where the Shadowy Seas' last surges roar,<br>
and many evils wrought. Alas!<br>
the guest is here.  The woods are still,<br>
but wait not; for a marvel chill<br>
them holds at the strange deeds they see,<br>
but kings see not—though queens, maybe,<br>
may guess, and maidens, maybe, know.<br>
Where one went lonely two now go!"
</blockquote>


<blockquote>
"Whither thy riddle points is plain"<br>
the king in anger said, "but deign<br>
to make it plainer!  Who is he<br>
that earns my wrath?  How walks he free<br>
within my woods amid my folk,<br>
a stranger to both beech and oak?"<br>
But Dairon looked upon Lúthien<br>
and would he had not spoken then,<br>
and no more would he speak that day,<br>
Though Thingol’s face with wraith was grey.<br>
Then Lúthien stepped lightly forth:<br>
"Far in the mountain-leaguered North,<br>
my father," said she, "lies the [[Dorthonion|land]]<br>
that groans beneath King Morgoth’s hand.<br>
Thence came one hither, bent and worn<br>
in wars and travail, who had sworn<br>
undying hatred of that king;<br>
the last of [[Bëor]]’s sons, they sing,<br>
and even hither far and deep<br>
within thy woods the echoes creep<br>
through the wild mountain-passes cold,<br>
the last of [[House of Bëor|Bëor’s house]] to hold<br>
a sword unconquered, neck unbowed,<br>
a heart by evil power uncowed.<br>
No evil needst thou think of fear<br>
of Beren son of Barahir!<br>
If aught thou hast to say to him<br>
then swear to hurt not flesh or limb,<br>
and I will lead him to thy hall,<br>
a son of kings, no mortal thrall."<br>
Then long King Thingol looked on her<br>
while hand nor foot nor tongue did stir,<br>
and [[Melian]], silent, unamazed,<br>
on Lúthien and Thingol gazed.<br>
"No blade nor chain his limbs shall mar"<br>
the king then swore.  "He wanders far,<br>
and news, mayhap, he hath for me,<br>
and words I have for him, maybe!"<br>
Now Thingol bade them all depart<br>
save Dairon, whom he called: "What art.<br>
what wizardry of Northern mist<br>
hath this illcomer brought us? List!<br>
Tonight go thou by secret path,<br>
who knowest all wide Doriath and watch that Lúthien—daughter mine,<br>
what madness doth thy heart entwine,<br>
what web from Morgoth’s [[Angband|dreadful halls]]<br>
that caught thy feet and the enthralls!—<br>
that she bid not this Beren flee<br>
back whence he came. I would him see!<br>
Take with thee woodland archers wise.<br>
Let naught beguile your hearts or eyes!"
</blockquote>


:Thus fleeting fast their short hour flies,
<blockquote>
:while [[Dairon]] watches with fiery eyes,
Thus Dairon heavyhearted did,<br>
:haunting the gloom of tangled trees
and the woods were filled with watchers hid;<br>
:all day, until at night he sees
yet needless, for Lúthien that night<br>
:in the fickle moon their moving feet,
led Beren by the golden light<br>
:two lovers linked in dancing sweet,
of mounting moon unto the shore<br>
:two shadows shimmering on the green
and bridge before her father's door;<br>
:where lonely-dancing maid had been.
and the white light silent looked within<br>
:‘Hateful art thou, O Land of Trees!
the waiting portals yawning dim.
:May fear and silence on thee seize!
</blockquote>
:My flute shall fall from idle hand
:and mirth shall leave [[Beleriand]];
:music shall perish and voices fail
:and trees stand dumb in dell and dale!’


<blockquote>
Downward with gentle hand she led<br>
through corridors of carven dread<br>
whose turns were lit by lanterns hung<br>
or flames from torches that were flung<br>
on [[dragons]] hewn in the cold stone<br>
with jewelled eyes and teeth of bone.<br>
Then sudden, deep beneath the earth<br>
the silences with silver mirth<br>
were shaken and the rocks were ringing,<br>
the [[nightingales|birds of Melian]] were singing;<br>
and wide the ways of shadow spread<br>
as into arched halls she led<br>
Beren in wonder.  There a light<br>
like day immortal and like night<br>
of stars unclouded, shone and gleamed.<br>
A vault of topless trees it seemed,<br>
whose trunks of carven stone there stood<br>
like towers of an enchanted wood<br>
in magic fast for ever bound,<br>
bearing a roof whose branches wound<br>
in endless tracery of green<br>
lit by some leaf-imprisoned sheen<br>
of moon and sun, and wrought of gems,<br>
and each leaf hung on golden stems.<br>
Lo! there amid immortal flowers<br>
the nightingales in shining bowers<br>
sang o’er the head of Melian,<br>
while water for ever dripped and ran<br>
from fountains in the rocky floor.<br>
There Thingol sat.  His crown he wore<br>
of green and silver, and round his chair<br>
a host in gleaming armor fair.<br>
Then Beren looked upon the king<br>
and stood amazed; and swift a ring<br>
of elvish weapons hemmed him round.<br>
Then Beren looked upon the ground,<br>
for Melian's gaze had sought his face,<br>
and dazed there drooped he in that place,<br>
and when the king spake deep and slow:<br>
"Who art thou stumblest thither? Know<br>
that none unbidden seek this throne<br>
and ever leave these halls of stone!"<br>
no word he answered, filled with dread.<br>
But Lúthien answered in his his stead:<br>
"Behold, my father, one who came<br>
pursued by hatred like a flame!<br>
Lo! Beren son of Barahir!<br>
What need hath he thy wrath to fear,<br>
foe of our foes, without a friend,<br>
whose knees to [[Morgoth]] do not bend?"
</blockquote>


:It seemed a hush had fallen there
<blockquote>
:upon the waiting woodland air;
"Let Beren answer!" Thingol said.<br>
:and often murmured Thingol’s folk
"What wouldst thou here?  What hither led<br>
:in wonder, and to their king they spoke:
thy wandering feet, O mortal wild?<br>
:‘This spell of silence who hath wrought?
How hast thou Lúthien beguiled<br>
:What web hath Dairon’s music caught?
or darest thus to walk this wood<br>
:It seems the very birds sing low;
unasked, in secret?  Reason good<br>
:murmurless [[Esgalduin]] doth flow;
'twere best declare now if thou may,<br>
:the leaves scarce whisper on the trees,
or never against see light of day!"<br>
:and soundless beat the wings of bees!’
Then Beren looked in Lúthien's eyes<br>
and saw a light of starry skies,<br>
and thence was slowly drawn his gaze<br>
to Melian's face.  As from a maze<br>
of wonder dumb he woke; his heart<br>
the bonds of awe there burst apart<br>
and filled with the fearless pride of old;<br>
in his glance now gleamed an anger cold.<br>
"My feet hath fate, O king," he said,<br>
"here over the mountains bleeding led,<br>
and what I sought not I have found,<br>
and love it is hath here me bound.<br>
Thy dearest treasure I desire;<br>
nor rocks nor steel nor Morgoth's fire<br>
nor all the power of Elfinesse<br>
shall keep that gem I would possess.<br>
For fairer than are born to Men<br>
A daugther hast thou, Lúthien."
</blockquote>


<blockquote>
Silence then fell upon the hall;<br>
like graven stone there stood they all,<br>
save one who cast her eyes aground,<br>
and one who laughed with bitter sound.<br>
Dairon the piper leant there pale<br>
against a pillar.  His fingers frail<br>
there touched a flute that whispered not;<br>
his eyes were dark; his heart was hot.<br>
"Death is the guerdon thou hast earned,<br>
O baseborn mortal, who hast learned<br>
in Morgoth's realm to spy and lurk<br>
like [[Orcs]] that do his evil work!"<br>
"'Death!" echoed Dairon fierce and low,<br>
but Lúthien trembling gasped in woe.<br>
"And death," said Thingol, "thou shouldst taste,<br>
had I not sworn an oath in haste<br>
that blade nor chain thy flesh should mar.<br>
Yet captive bound by never a bar,<br>
unchained, unfettered, shalt thou be<br>
in lightless labrynth endlessly<br>
that coils about my halls profound<br>
by magic bewildered and enwound;<br>
there wandering in hopelessness<br>
thou shalt learn the power of Elfinesse!"<br>
"That may not be!" Lo! Beren spake,<br>
and through the king's words coldly brake,<br>
"What are thy mazes but a chain<br>
wherein the captive bound is slain?<br>
Twist not thy oaths, O elvish king,<br>
like faithless Morgoth!  By this ring—<br>
that [[Felagund]] of [[Nargothrond]]<br>
once swore in love to [[Barahir son of Bregor|Barahir]],<br>
who sheltered him with shield and spear<br>
and saved him from pursuing foe<br>
on [[Dagor Aglareb|Northern battlefields]] long ago—<br>
death thou canst give unearned to me,<br>
but names I will not take from thee<br>
of baseborn, spy, or Morgoth's thrall!<br>
Are these the ways of Thingol's hall?"<br>
Proud are the words, and all there turned<br>
to see the jewels green that burned<br>
in [[Ring of Barahir|Beren's ring]]. These [[Gnomes]] had set<br>
as eyes of serpents twined that met<br>
beneath a golden crown of flower,<br>
that one uphold and one devours:<br>
the badge that [[Finrod]] made of yore<br>
and Felagund his son now bore.
</blockquote>


:This Lúthien heard, and there the queen
<blockquote>
:her sudden glances saw unseen.
His anger chilled, but little less,<br>
:But [[Thingol]] marvelled, and he sent
and dark thoughts Thingol did possess,<br>
:for Dairon the piper, ere he went
though Melian the pale leant to his side<br>
:and sat upon his mounded seat—
and whispered: "O king, forgo thy pride!<br>
:his grassy throne by the grey feet
Such is my counsel.  Not by thee<br>
:of the Queen of Beeches, [[Hirilorn]],
shall Beren be slain, for far and free<br>
:upon whose triple piers were borne
from these deep halls his fate doth lead,<br>
:the mightiest vault of leaf and bough
yet wound with thine.  O king, take heed!"<br>
:from world’s beginning until now.
But Thingol looked on Lúthien.<br>
:She stood above Esgalduin’s shore,
"Fairest of [[Elves]]!  Unhappy [[Men]],<br>
:where long slope sfell beside the door,
children of little lords and kings<br>
:the guarded gates, the portals stark
mortal and frail, these fading things,<br>
:of the Thousand echoing [[Menegroth|Caverns]] dark.
shall they then look with love on thee?"<br>
:There Thingol sat and heard no sound
his heart within him thought.  "I see<br>
:save far off footsteps on the ground;
thy ring," he said, "O mighty man!<br>
:no flute, no voice, no song of bird,
But to win the child of Melian<br>
:no choirs of windy leaves there stirred;
a father's deeds shall not avail,<br>
:and Dairon coming no word spoke,
nor thy proud words at which I quail.<br>
:silent amid the woodland folk.
A treasure dear I too desire,<br>
:Then Thingol said: ‘O Dairon fair,
but rocks and steel and Morgoth's fire<br>
:thou master of all musics rare,
from all the powers of Elfinesse<br>
:O magic heart and wisdom wild,
do keep the jewel I would possess.<br>
:whose ear nor eye may be beguiled,
Yet bonds like these I hear thee say<br>
:what omen doth this silence bear?
affright thee not. Now go thy way!<br>
:What horn afar upon the air,
Bring me one shining [[Silmaril]]<br>
:what summons do the woods await?
from Morgoth's [[Iron Crown|crown]], then if she will,<br>
:Mayhap the Lord [[Tavros]] from his gate
may Lúthien set her hand in thine;<br>
:and tree-propped halls, the forest-god,
then shalt thou have this jewel of mine."
:ride his wild stallion golden-shod
</blockquote>
:amid the trumpets’ tempest loud,
:amid his green-clad hunters proud,
:leaving his deer and friths divine
:and emerald forests?  Some faint sign
:of his great onset may have come
:upon the Western winds, and dumb
:the woods now listen for a chase
:that here once more shall thundering race
:beneath the shadoe of mortal trees.
:Would it were so! The Lands of Ease
:hath Tavros left not many an age,
:since Morgoth evil wars did wage,
:since ruin fell upon the North
:and the [[Gnomes]] unhappy wandered forth.
:But if not he, who comes or what?’
:And Dairon answered: ‘He cometh not!
:No feet divine shall leave that shore,
:where the Shadowy Seas’ last surges roar,
:and many evils wrought.  Alas!
:the guest is here.  The woods are still,
:but wait not; for a marvel chill
:them holds at the strange deeds they see,
:but kings see not—though queens, maybe,
:may guess, and maidens, maybe, know.
:Where one went lonely two now go!’


<blockquote>
Then Thingol's warriors loud and long<br>
they laughed; for wide renown in song<br>
had [[Fëanor]]'s gems o'er land and sea,<br>
the peerless [[Silmarils]]; and three<br>
alone he made and kindled slow<br>
in the [[Valinor|land of the Valar]] long ago,<br>
and there in [[Tûn]] of their own light<br>
they shone like marvellous stars at night,<br>
in the great Gnomish hoards of Tûn,<br>
while [[Laurelin|Glingal]] flowerd and [[Telperion|Belthil]]'s bloom<br>
yet lit the land beyond the shore<br>
where the [[Belegaer|Shadowy Seas]]' last surges roar,<br>
ere Morgoth stole them and the Gnomes<br>
seeking their glory left their homes,<br>
ere sorrows fell on Elves and Men,<br>
ere Beren was or Lúthien,<br>
ere Fëanor's sons in madness swore<br>
their dreadful oath.  But now no more<br>
their beauty was seen, save shining clear<br>
in Morgoth's dungeons vast and drear.<br>
His [[Iron Crown|iron crown]] they must adorn,<br>
and gleam above Orcs and slaves forlorn,<br>
treasured in Hell above all wealth,<br>
more than his eyes; and might nor stealth<br>
could touch them, or even gaze too long<br>
upon their magic.  Throng on throng<br>
of Orcs with reddened scimitars<br>
encircled him, and mighty bars<br>
and everlasting gates and walls,<br>
who wore them now amidst his thralls.<br>
Then Beren laughed more loud than they<br>
in bitterness, and thus did say:<br>
"For little price do elven-kings<br>
their daughters sell—for gems and rings<br>
and things of gold!  If such thy will,<br>
thy bidding I will now fulfill.<br>
On Beren son of [[Barahir son of Bregor|Barahir]]<br>
though hast not looked the last, I fear.<br>
Farewell, Tinúviel, starlit maiden!<br>
Ere the pale winter pass snowladen,<br>
I will return, not thee to buy<br>
with any jewel in Elfinesse,<br>
but to find my love in loveliness,<br>
a flower that grows beneath the sky."<br>
Bowing before Melian and the king<br>
he turned, and thrust aside the ring<br>
of guards about him, and was gone,<br>
and his footsteps faded one by one<br>
in the dark corridors.  "A guileful oath<br>
thou sworest, father!  Thou hast both<br>
to blade and chain his flesh now doomed<br>
in Morgoth's dungeons deep entombed,"<br>
said Lúthien, and welling tears<br>
sprang in her eyes, and hideous fears<br>
clutched at her heart.  All looked away,<br>
and later remembered the sad day<br>
whereafter Lúthien no more sang.<br>
Then clear in the silence the cold words rang<br>
of Melian: "Counsel cunning-wise,<br>
O king!" she said.  "Yet if mine eyes<br>
lose not their power, 'twere well for thee<br>
that Beren failed his errantry.<br>
Well for thee, but for thy child<br>
a dark doom and a wandering wild."
</blockquote>


:‘Whither thy riddle points is plain’
<blockquote>
:the king in anger said, ‘but deign
"I sell not to Men those whom I love"<br>
:to make it plainer!  Who is he
said Thingol, "whom all thing above<br>
:that earns my wrath?  How walks he free
I cherish; and if hope there were<br>
:within my woods amid my folk,
that Beren should ever living fare<br>
:a stranger to both beech and oak?’
to the Thousand Caves once more, I swear<br>
:But Dairon looked upon Lúthien
he should not ever have seen the air<br>
:and would he had not spoken then,
of light of heaven's stars again."
:and no more would he speak that day,
But Melian smiled, and there was pain<br>
:Though Thingol’s face with wraith was grey.
as of far knowledge in her eyes;<br>
:Then Lúthien stepped lightly forth:
for such is the sorrow of the wise.
:‘Far in the mountain-leaguered North,
</blockquote>
:my father,’ said she, ‘lies the [[Dorthonion|land]]
:that groans beneath King Morgoth’s hand.
:Thence came one hither, bent and worn
:in wars and travail, who had sworn
:undying hatred of that king;
:the last of Bëor’s sons, they sing,
:and even hither far and deep
:within thy woods the echoes creep
:through the wild mountain-passes cold,
:the last of Bëor’s house to hold
:a sword unconquered, neck unbowed,
:a heart by evil power uncowed.
:No evil needst thou think of fear
:of Beren son of Barahir!
:If aught thou hast to say to him
:then swear to hurt not flesh or limb,
:and I will lead him to thy hall,
:a son of kings, no mortal thrall.’
:Then long King Thingol looked on her
:while hand nor foot nor tongue did stir,
:and [[Melian]], silent, unamazed,
:on Lúthien and Thingol gazed.
:‘No blade nor chain his limbs shall mar’
:the king then swore.  ‘He wanders far,
:and news, mayhap, he hath for me,
:and words I have for him, maybe!’
:Now Thingol bade them all depart
:save Dairon, whom he called: ‘What art.
:what wizardry of Northern mist
:hath this illcomer brought us? List!
:Tonight go thou by secret path,
:who knowest all wide Doriath and watch that Lúthien—daughter mine,
:what madness doth thy heart entwine,
:what web from Morgoth’s dreadful halls
:that caught thy feet and the enthralls!—
:that she bid not this Beren flee
:back whence he came.  I would him see!
:Take with thee woodland archers wise.
:Let naught beguile your hearts or eyes!’
 
 
:Thus Dairon heavyhearted did,
:and the woods were filled with watchers hid;
:yet needless, for Lúthien that night
:led Beren by the golden light
:of mounting moon unto the shore
:and bridge before her father's door;
:and the white light silent looked within
:the waiting portals yawning dim.
 
 
:Downward with gentle hand she led
:through corridors of carven dread
:whose turns were lit by lanterns hung
:or flames from torches that were flung
:on dragons hewn in the cold stone
:with jewelled eyes and teeth of bone.
:Then sudden, deep beneath the earth
:the silences with silver mirth
:were shaken and the rocks were ringing,
:the birds of Melian were singing;
:and wide the ways of shadow spread
:as into arched halls she led
:Beren in wonder.  There a light
:like day immortal and like night
:of stars unclouded, shone and gleamed.
:A vault of topless trees it seemed,
:whose trunks of carven stone there stood
:like towers of an enchanted wood
:in magic fast for ever bound,
:bearing a roof whose branches wound
:in endless tracery of green
:lit by some leaf-imprisoned sheen
:of moon and sun, and wrought of gems,
:and each leaf hung on golden stems.
:Lo! there amid immortal flowers
:the nightingales in shining bowers
:sang o’er the head of Melian,
:while water for ever dripped and ran
:from fountains in the rocky floor.
:There Thingol sat.  His crown he wore
:of green and silver, and round his chair
:a host in gleaming armor fair.
:Then Beren looked upon the king
:and stood amazed; and swift a ring
:of elvish weapons hemmed him round.
:Then Beren looked upon the ground,
:for Melian's gaze had sought his face,
:and dazed there drooped he in that place,
:and when the king spake deep and slow:
:'Who art thou stumblest thither? Know
:that none unbidden seek this throne
:and ever leave these halls of stone!'
:no word he answered, filled with dread.
:But Lúthien answered in his his stead:
:'Behold, my father, one who came
:pursued by hatred like a flame!
:Lo! Beren son of Barahir!
:What need hath he thy wrath to fear,
:foe of our foes, without a friend,
:whose knees to [[Morgoth]] do not bend?'
 
 
:'Let Beren answer!' Thingol said.
:'What wouldst thou here?  What hither led
:thy wandering feet, O mortal wild?
:How hast thou Lúthien beguiled
:or darest thus to walk this wood
:unasked, in secret?  Reason good
:'twere best declare now if thou may,
:or never against see light of day!'
:Then Beren looked in Lúthien's eyes
:and saw a light of starry skies,
:and thence was slowly drawn his gaze
:to Melian's face.  As from a maze
:of wonder dumb he woke; his heart
:the bonds of awe there burst apart
:and filled with the fearless pride of old;
:in his glance now gleamed an anger cold.
:'My feet hath fate, O king,' he said,
:'here over the mountains bleeding led,
:and what I sought not I have found,
:and love it is hath here me bound.
:Thy dearest treasure I desire;
:nor rocks nor steel nor Morgoth's fire
:nor all the power of Elfinesse
:shall keep that gem I would possess.
:For fairer than are born to Men
:A daugther hast thou, Lúthien.'
 
 
:Silence then fell upon the hall;
:like graven stone there stood they all,
:save one who cast her eyes aground,
:and one who laughed with bitter sound.
:Dairon the piper leant there pale
:against a pillar.  His fingers frail
:there touched a flute that whispered not;
:his eyes were dark; his heart was hot.
:'Death is the guerdon thou hast earned,
:O baseborn mortal, who hast learned
:in Morgoth's realm to spy and lurk
:like [[Orcs]] that do his evil work!'
:'Death!' echoed Dairon fierce and low,
:but Lúthien trembling gasped in woe.
:'And death,' said Thingol, 'thou shouldst taste,
:had I not sworn an oath in haste
:that blade nor chain thy flesh should mar.
:Yet captive bound by never a bar,
:unchained, unfettered, shalt thou be
:in lightless labrynth endlessly
:that coils about my halls profound
:by magic bewildered and enwound;
:there wandering in hopelessness
:thou shalt learn the power of Elfinesse!'
:'That may not be!' Lo! Beren spake,
:and through the king's words coldly brake,
:'What are thy mazes but a chain
:wherein the captive bound is slain?
:Twist not thy oaths, O elvish king,
:like faithless Morgoth!  By this ring—
:that [[Felagund]] of [[Nargothrond]]
:once swore in love to [[Barahir son of Bregor|Barahir]],
:who sheltered him with shield and spear
:and saved him from pursuing foe
:on [[Dagor Aglareb|Northern battlefields]] long ago—
:death thou canst give unearned to me,
:but names I will not take from thee
:of baseborn, spy, or Morgoth's thrall!
:Are these the ways of Thingol's hall?'
:Proud are the words, and all there turned
:to see the jewels green that burned
:in [[Ring of Barahir|Beren's ring]].  These [[Gnomes]] had set
:as eyes of serpents twined that met
:beneath a golden crown of flower,
:that one uphold and one devours:
:the badge that [[Finrod]] made of yore
:and Felagund his son now bore.
 
:His anger chilled, but little less,
:and dark thoughts Thingol did possess,
:though Melian the pale leant to his side
:and whispered: 'O king, forgo thy pride!
:Such is my counsel.  Not by thee
:shall Beren be slain, for far and free
:from these deep halls his fate doth lead,
:yet wound with thine.  O king, take heed!'
:But Thingol looked on Lúthien.
:'Fairest of [[Elves]]!  Unhappy [[Men]],
:children of little lords and kings
:mortal and frail, these fading things,
:shall they then look with love on thee?'
:his heart within him thought.  'I see
:thy ring,' he said, 'O mighty man!
:But to win the child of Melian
:a father's deeds shall not avail,
:nor thy proud words at which I quail.
:A treasure dear I too desire,
:but rocks and steel and Morgoth's fire
:from all the powers of Elfinesse
:do keep the jewel I would possess.
:Yet bonds like these I hear thee say
:affright thee not.  Now go thy way!
:Bring me one shining [[Silmaril]]
:from Morgoth's [[Iron Crown|crown]], then if she will,
:may Lúthien set her hand in thine;
:then shalt thou have this jewel of mine.'
 
 
:Then Thingol's warriors loud and long
:they laughed; for wide renown in song
:had [[Fëanor]]'s [[gems]] o'er land and sea,
:the peerless Silmarils; and three
:alone he made and kindled slow
:in the [[Valinor|land of the Valar]] long ago,
:and there in [[Tûn]] of their own light
:they shone like marvellous stars at night,
:in the great Gnomish hoards of Tûn,
:while [[Laurelin|Glingal]] flowerd and [[Telperion|Belthil]]'s bloom
:yet lit the land beyond the shore
:where the [[Belegaer|Shadowy Seas]]' last surges roar,
:ere Morgoth stole them and the Gnomes
:seeking their glory left their homes,
:ere sorrows fell on Elves and Men,
:ere Beren was or Lúthien,
:ere Fëanor's sons in madness swore
:their dreadful oath.  But now no more
:their beauty was seen, save shining clear
:in Morgoth's dungeons vast and drear.
:His [[Iron Crown|iron crown]] they must adorn,
:and gleam above Orcs and slaves forlorn,
:treasured in Hell above all wealth,
:more than his eyes; and might nor stealth
:could touch them, or even gaze too long
:upon their magic.  Throng on throng
:of Orcs with reddened scimitars
:encircled him, and mighty bars
:and everlasting gates and walls,
:who wore them now amidst his thralls.
:Then Beren laughed more loud than they
:in bitterness, and thus did say:
:'For little price do elven-kings
:their daughters sell—for gems and rings
:and things of gold!  If such thy will,
:thy bidding I will now fulfill.
:On Beren son of [[Barahir son of Bregor|Barahir]]
:though hast not looked the last, I fear.
:Farewell, Tinúviel, starlit maiden!
:Ere the pale winter pass snowladen,
:I will return, not thee to buy
:with any jewel in Elfinesse,
:but to find my love in loveliness,
:a flower that grows beneath the sky.'
:Bowing before Melian and the king
:he turned, and thrust aside the ring
:of guards about him, and was gone,
:and his footsteps faded one by one
:in the dark corridors.  'A guileful oath
:thou sworest, father!  Thou hast both
:to blade and chain his flesh now doomed
:in Morgoth's dungeons deep entombed,'
:said Lúthien, and welling tears
:sprang in her eyes, and hideous fears
:clutched at her heart.  All looked away,
:and later remembered the sad day
:whereafter Lúthien no more sang.
:Then clear in the silence the cold words rang
:of Melian: 'Counsel cunning-wise,
:O king!' she said.  'Yet if mine eyes
:lose not their power, 'twere well for thee
:that Beren failed his errantry.
:Well for thee, but for thy child
:a dark doom and a wandering wild.'
 
 
:'I sell not to Men those whom I love'
:said Thingol, 'whom all thing above
:I cherish; and if hope there were
:that Beren should ever living fare
:to the Thousand Caves once more, I swear
:he should not ever have seen the air
:of light of heaven's stars again.'
:But Melian smiled, and there was pain
:as of far knowledge in her eyes;
:for such is the sorrow of the wise.
 
==Concerning the Canto==


== Concerning the Canto ==
This Canto begins with an elaborate description of Beren's happiness.
This Canto begins with an elaborate description of Beren's happiness.
 
<blockquote>
:''He lay upon the leafy mould''
''He lay upon the leafy mould''<br>
:''his face upon the earth’s bosom cold''
''his face upon the earth’s bosom cold''<br>
:''aswoon in overwhelming bliss''
''aswoon in overwhelming bliss''<br>
:''enchanted of an elvish kiss''
''enchanted of an elvish kiss''
</blockquote>


Then they dance in joy together.
Then they dance in joy together.
 
<blockquote>
:''there flitting just before his feet''
''there flitting just before his feet''<br>
:''she gently chid with laughter sweet;''
''she gently chid with laughter sweet;''<br>
:''‘Come! dance now, Beren, dance with me!''
''‘Come! dance now, Beren, dance with me!''<br>
:''For fain thy dancing I would see.''
''For fain thy dancing I would see.''
</blockquote>


Then Dairon, who is said to have loved Lúthien, espies them.  
Then Dairon, who is said to have loved Lúthien, espies them.  
 
<blockquote>
:''Thus fleeting fast their short hour flies,''
''Thus fleeting fast their short hour flies,''<br>
:''while [[Dairon]] watches with fiery eyes,''
''while [[Dairon]] watches with fiery eyes,''<br>
:''haunting the gloom of tangled trees''
''haunting the gloom of tangled trees''<br>
:''all day, until at night he sees''
''all day, until at night he sees''<br>
:''in the fickle moon their moving feet,''
''in the fickle moon their moving feet,''<br>
:''two lovers linked in dancing sweet''
''two lovers linked in dancing sweet''
</blockquote>


And he first casts a spell of silence on the wood, and gives hints to Thingol about the meeting.
And he first casts a spell of silence on the wood, and gives hints to Thingol about the meeting.
 
<blockquote>
:''but kings see not—though queens, maybe,''
''but kings see not—though queens, maybe,''<br>
:''may guess, and maidens, maybe, know.''
''may guess, and maidens, maybe, know.''<br>
:''Where one went lonely two now go!’''
''Where one went lonely two now go!’''
</blockquote>

Revision as of 04:17, 9 June 2006

Lay of Leithian cantos
  1. Canto I
  2. Canto II
  3. Canto III
  4. Canto IV
  5. Canto V
  6. Canto VI
  7. Canto VII
  8. Canto VIII
  9. Canto IX
  10. Canto X
  11. Canto XI
  12. Canto XII
  13. Canto XIII
  14. Canto XIV

This Canto first speaks of Beren and his bliss. Then it tells of Lúthien’s return and their dance, and how Dairon espied them, and as he loved Lúthien he betrayed them to Thingol. Then how Lúthien led Beren into Menegroth after Thingol promised her that his life would be spared. There he requested the hand of Lúthien, and Thingol, as he was bound to his oath not to harm Beren, in his wrath gave the bride-price as a Silmaril. Then Beren laughed as if it were a small thing, and left the hall with the promise to bring one back. This fourth canto can be considered the true beginning of the quest.

The Canto

He lay upon the leafy mould
his face upon the earth’s bosom cold
aswoon in overwhelming bliss
enchanted of an elvish kiss
seeing within his darkened eyes
the light that for no darkness dies
though all in ashes cold be laid.
Then folded in the mists of sleep
he sank into abysses deep
drowned in an overwhelming grief
for parting after meeting brief;
a shadow and a fragrance fair
lingered, and waned, and was not there.
Forsaken, barren, bare as stone
the daylight found him cold, alone.

"Where art thou gone? The day is bare
the sunlight dark and cold the air!
Tinúviel, where went thy feet?
O wayward star! O maiden sweet!
O flower of Elfland all too fair
for mortal heart! The woods are bare!
The woods are bare!" he rose and cried.
"Ere spring was born, the spring hath died!"
And wandering in path and mind
he groped as one gone sudden blind
who seeks to grasp the hidden light
with faltering hands in more than night.

And thus in anguish Beren paid
for that great doom upon him laid,
the deathless love of Lúthien,
too fair for love of mortal Men;
and in his doom was Lúthien snared,
the deathless in his dying shared;
and Fate them forged a binding chain
of living love and mortal pain.

Beyond all hope her feet returned
at eve, when in the sky there burned
the flame of stars; and in her eyes
there trembled the starlight of the skies,
and from her hair the fragrance fell
of elvenflowers in elven-dell.

Thus Lúthien, whom no pursuit,
no snare, no dart that hunters shoot,
might hope to win or hold, she came
at the sweet calling of her name;
and thus in his her slender hand
was linked in far Beleriand;
in hour enchanted long ago
her arms about his neck did go,
and gently down she drew to rest
his weary head upon her breast.
A! Lúthien, Tinúviel,
why wentest thou to darkling dell
with shining eyes and dancing pace,
the twilight glimmering in thy face?
Each day before the end of eve
she sought her lover, nor would him leave,
until the stars were dimmed, and day
came glimmering eastward silver-gray.
Then trembling-veiled she would appear
and dance before him, half in fear;
there flitting just before his feet
she gently chid with laughter sweet;
"Come! dance now, Beren, dance with me!
For fain thy dancing I would see.
Come! thou must woo with nimbler feet,
than those who walk where mountains meet
the bitter skies beyond this realm
of marvelous moonlit beech and elm."

In Doriath Beren long ago
new art and lore he learned to know;
his limbs were freed; his eyes alight.
kindled with a new enchanted sight;
and to her dancing feet his feet
attuned went dancing free and fleet;
his laughter welled as from a spring
of music, and his voice would sing
as voices of those in Doriath
where paved with flowers are floor and path.
The year thus on to summer rolled,
from spring to a summertime of gold.

Thus fleeting fast their short hour flies,
while Dairon watches with fiery eyes,
haunting the gloom of tangled trees
all day, until at night he sees
in the fickle moon their moving feet,
two lovers linked in dancing sweet,
two shadows shimmering on the green
where lonely-dancing maid had been.
"Hateful art thou, O Land of Trees!
May fear and silence on thee seize!
My flute shall fall from idle hand
and mirth shall leave Beleriand;
music shall perish and voices fail
and trees stand dumb in dell and dale!"

It seemed a hush had fallen there
upon the waiting woodland air;
and often murmured Thingol’s folk
in wonder, and to their king they spoke:
"This spell of silence who hath wrought?
What web hath Dairon’s music caught?
It seems the very birds sing low;
murmurless Esgalduin doth flow;
the leaves scarce whisper on the trees,
and soundless beat the wings of bees!"

This Lúthien heard, and there the queen
her sudden glances saw unseen.
But Thingol marvelled, and he sent
for Dairon the piper, ere he went
and sat upon his mounded seat—
his grassy throne by the grey feet
of the Queen of Beeches, Hirilorn,
upon whose triple piers were borne
the mightiest vault of leaf and bough
from world’s beginning until now.
She stood above Esgalduin’s shore,
where long slopes fell beside the door,
the guarded gates, the portals stark
of the Thousand echoing Caverns dark.
There Thingol sat and heard no sound
save far off footsteps on the ground;
no flute, no voice, no song of bird,
no choirs of windy leaves there stirred;
and Dairon coming no word spoke,
silent amid the woodland folk.
Then Thingol said: ‘O Dairon fair,
thou master of all musics rare,
O magic heart and wisdom wild,
whose ear nor eye may be beguiled,
what omen doth this silence bear?
What horn afar upon the air,
what summons do the woods await?
Mayhap the Lord Tavros from his gate
and tree-propped halls, the forest-god,
ride his wild stallion golden-shod
amid the trumpets’ tempest loud,
amid his green-clad hunters proud,
leaving his deer and friths divine
and emerald forests? Some faint sign
of his great onset may have come
upon the Western winds, and dumb
the woods now listen for a chase
that here once more shall thundering race
beneath the shadoe of mortal trees.
Would it were so! The Lands of Ease
hath Tavros left not many an age,
since Morgoth evil wars did wage,
since ruin fell upon the North
and the Gnomes unhappy wandered forth.
But if not he, who comes or what?"
And Dairon answered: "He cometh not!
No feet divine shall leave that shore,
where the Shadowy Seas' last surges roar,
and many evils wrought. Alas!
the guest is here. The woods are still,
but wait not; for a marvel chill
them holds at the strange deeds they see,
but kings see not—though queens, maybe,
may guess, and maidens, maybe, know.
Where one went lonely two now go!"

"Whither thy riddle points is plain"
the king in anger said, "but deign
to make it plainer! Who is he
that earns my wrath? How walks he free
within my woods amid my folk,
a stranger to both beech and oak?"
But Dairon looked upon Lúthien
and would he had not spoken then,
and no more would he speak that day,
Though Thingol’s face with wraith was grey.
Then Lúthien stepped lightly forth:
"Far in the mountain-leaguered North,
my father," said she, "lies the land
that groans beneath King Morgoth’s hand.
Thence came one hither, bent and worn
in wars and travail, who had sworn
undying hatred of that king;
the last of Bëor’s sons, they sing,
and even hither far and deep
within thy woods the echoes creep
through the wild mountain-passes cold,
the last of Bëor’s house to hold
a sword unconquered, neck unbowed,
a heart by evil power uncowed.
No evil needst thou think of fear
of Beren son of Barahir!
If aught thou hast to say to him
then swear to hurt not flesh or limb,
and I will lead him to thy hall,
a son of kings, no mortal thrall."
Then long King Thingol looked on her
while hand nor foot nor tongue did stir,
and Melian, silent, unamazed,
on Lúthien and Thingol gazed.
"No blade nor chain his limbs shall mar"
the king then swore. "He wanders far,
and news, mayhap, he hath for me,
and words I have for him, maybe!"
Now Thingol bade them all depart
save Dairon, whom he called: "What art.
what wizardry of Northern mist
hath this illcomer brought us? List!
Tonight go thou by secret path,
who knowest all wide Doriath and watch that Lúthien—daughter mine,
what madness doth thy heart entwine,
what web from Morgoth’s dreadful halls
that caught thy feet and the enthralls!—
that she bid not this Beren flee
back whence he came. I would him see!
Take with thee woodland archers wise.
Let naught beguile your hearts or eyes!"

Thus Dairon heavyhearted did,
and the woods were filled with watchers hid;
yet needless, for Lúthien that night
led Beren by the golden light
of mounting moon unto the shore
and bridge before her father's door;
and the white light silent looked within
the waiting portals yawning dim.

Downward with gentle hand she led
through corridors of carven dread
whose turns were lit by lanterns hung
or flames from torches that were flung
on dragons hewn in the cold stone
with jewelled eyes and teeth of bone.
Then sudden, deep beneath the earth
the silences with silver mirth
were shaken and the rocks were ringing,
the birds of Melian were singing;
and wide the ways of shadow spread
as into arched halls she led
Beren in wonder. There a light
like day immortal and like night
of stars unclouded, shone and gleamed.
A vault of topless trees it seemed,
whose trunks of carven stone there stood
like towers of an enchanted wood
in magic fast for ever bound,
bearing a roof whose branches wound
in endless tracery of green
lit by some leaf-imprisoned sheen
of moon and sun, and wrought of gems,
and each leaf hung on golden stems.
Lo! there amid immortal flowers
the nightingales in shining bowers
sang o’er the head of Melian,
while water for ever dripped and ran
from fountains in the rocky floor.
There Thingol sat. His crown he wore
of green and silver, and round his chair
a host in gleaming armor fair.
Then Beren looked upon the king
and stood amazed; and swift a ring
of elvish weapons hemmed him round.
Then Beren looked upon the ground,
for Melian's gaze had sought his face,
and dazed there drooped he in that place,
and when the king spake deep and slow:
"Who art thou stumblest thither? Know
that none unbidden seek this throne
and ever leave these halls of stone!"
no word he answered, filled with dread.
But Lúthien answered in his his stead:
"Behold, my father, one who came
pursued by hatred like a flame!
Lo! Beren son of Barahir!
What need hath he thy wrath to fear,
foe of our foes, without a friend,
whose knees to Morgoth do not bend?"

"Let Beren answer!" Thingol said.
"What wouldst thou here? What hither led
thy wandering feet, O mortal wild?
How hast thou Lúthien beguiled
or darest thus to walk this wood
unasked, in secret? Reason good
'twere best declare now if thou may,
or never against see light of day!"
Then Beren looked in Lúthien's eyes
and saw a light of starry skies,
and thence was slowly drawn his gaze
to Melian's face. As from a maze
of wonder dumb he woke; his heart
the bonds of awe there burst apart
and filled with the fearless pride of old;
in his glance now gleamed an anger cold.
"My feet hath fate, O king," he said,
"here over the mountains bleeding led,
and what I sought not I have found,
and love it is hath here me bound.
Thy dearest treasure I desire;
nor rocks nor steel nor Morgoth's fire
nor all the power of Elfinesse
shall keep that gem I would possess.
For fairer than are born to Men
A daugther hast thou, Lúthien."

Silence then fell upon the hall;
like graven stone there stood they all,
save one who cast her eyes aground,
and one who laughed with bitter sound.
Dairon the piper leant there pale
against a pillar. His fingers frail
there touched a flute that whispered not;
his eyes were dark; his heart was hot.
"Death is the guerdon thou hast earned,
O baseborn mortal, who hast learned
in Morgoth's realm to spy and lurk
like Orcs that do his evil work!"
"'Death!" echoed Dairon fierce and low,
but Lúthien trembling gasped in woe.
"And death," said Thingol, "thou shouldst taste,
had I not sworn an oath in haste
that blade nor chain thy flesh should mar.
Yet captive bound by never a bar,
unchained, unfettered, shalt thou be
in lightless labrynth endlessly
that coils about my halls profound
by magic bewildered and enwound;
there wandering in hopelessness
thou shalt learn the power of Elfinesse!"
"That may not be!" Lo! Beren spake,
and through the king's words coldly brake,
"What are thy mazes but a chain
wherein the captive bound is slain?
Twist not thy oaths, O elvish king,
like faithless Morgoth! By this ring—
that Felagund of Nargothrond
once swore in love to Barahir,
who sheltered him with shield and spear
and saved him from pursuing foe
on Northern battlefields long ago—
death thou canst give unearned to me,
but names I will not take from thee
of baseborn, spy, or Morgoth's thrall!
Are these the ways of Thingol's hall?"
Proud are the words, and all there turned
to see the jewels green that burned
in Beren's ring. These Gnomes had set
as eyes of serpents twined that met
beneath a golden crown of flower,
that one uphold and one devours:
the badge that Finrod made of yore
and Felagund his son now bore.

His anger chilled, but little less,
and dark thoughts Thingol did possess,
though Melian the pale leant to his side
and whispered: "O king, forgo thy pride!
Such is my counsel. Not by thee
shall Beren be slain, for far and free
from these deep halls his fate doth lead,
yet wound with thine. O king, take heed!"
But Thingol looked on Lúthien.
"Fairest of Elves! Unhappy Men,
children of little lords and kings
mortal and frail, these fading things,
shall they then look with love on thee?"
his heart within him thought. "I see
thy ring," he said, "O mighty man!
But to win the child of Melian
a father's deeds shall not avail,
nor thy proud words at which I quail.
A treasure dear I too desire,
but rocks and steel and Morgoth's fire
from all the powers of Elfinesse
do keep the jewel I would possess.
Yet bonds like these I hear thee say
affright thee not. Now go thy way!
Bring me one shining Silmaril
from Morgoth's crown, then if she will,
may Lúthien set her hand in thine;
then shalt thou have this jewel of mine."

Then Thingol's warriors loud and long
they laughed; for wide renown in song
had Fëanor's gems o'er land and sea,
the peerless Silmarils; and three
alone he made and kindled slow
in the land of the Valar long ago,
and there in Tûn of their own light
they shone like marvellous stars at night,
in the great Gnomish hoards of Tûn,
while Glingal flowerd and Belthil's bloom
yet lit the land beyond the shore
where the Shadowy Seas' last surges roar,
ere Morgoth stole them and the Gnomes
seeking their glory left their homes,
ere sorrows fell on Elves and Men,
ere Beren was or Lúthien,
ere Fëanor's sons in madness swore
their dreadful oath. But now no more
their beauty was seen, save shining clear
in Morgoth's dungeons vast and drear.
His iron crown they must adorn,
and gleam above Orcs and slaves forlorn,
treasured in Hell above all wealth,
more than his eyes; and might nor stealth
could touch them, or even gaze too long
upon their magic. Throng on throng
of Orcs with reddened scimitars
encircled him, and mighty bars
and everlasting gates and walls,
who wore them now amidst his thralls.
Then Beren laughed more loud than they
in bitterness, and thus did say:
"For little price do elven-kings
their daughters sell—for gems and rings
and things of gold! If such thy will,
thy bidding I will now fulfill.
On Beren son of Barahir
though hast not looked the last, I fear.
Farewell, Tinúviel, starlit maiden!
Ere the pale winter pass snowladen,
I will return, not thee to buy
with any jewel in Elfinesse,
but to find my love in loveliness,
a flower that grows beneath the sky."
Bowing before Melian and the king
he turned, and thrust aside the ring
of guards about him, and was gone,
and his footsteps faded one by one
in the dark corridors. "A guileful oath
thou sworest, father! Thou hast both
to blade and chain his flesh now doomed
in Morgoth's dungeons deep entombed,"
said Lúthien, and welling tears
sprang in her eyes, and hideous fears
clutched at her heart. All looked away,
and later remembered the sad day
whereafter Lúthien no more sang.
Then clear in the silence the cold words rang
of Melian: "Counsel cunning-wise,
O king!" she said. "Yet if mine eyes
lose not their power, 'twere well for thee
that Beren failed his errantry.
Well for thee, but for thy child
a dark doom and a wandering wild."

"I sell not to Men those whom I love"
said Thingol, "whom all thing above
I cherish; and if hope there were
that Beren should ever living fare
to the Thousand Caves once more, I swear
he should not ever have seen the air
of light of heaven's stars again." But Melian smiled, and there was pain
as of far knowledge in her eyes;
for such is the sorrow of the wise.

Concerning the Canto

This Canto begins with an elaborate description of Beren's happiness.

He lay upon the leafy mould
his face upon the earth’s bosom cold
aswoon in overwhelming bliss
enchanted of an elvish kiss

Then they dance in joy together.

there flitting just before his feet
she gently chid with laughter sweet;
‘Come! dance now, Beren, dance with me!
For fain thy dancing I would see.

Then Dairon, who is said to have loved Lúthien, espies them.

Thus fleeting fast their short hour flies,
while Dairon watches with fiery eyes,
haunting the gloom of tangled trees
all day, until at night he sees
in the fickle moon their moving feet,
two lovers linked in dancing sweet

And he first casts a spell of silence on the wood, and gives hints to Thingol about the meeting.

but kings see not—though queens, maybe,
may guess, and maidens, maybe, know.
Where one went lonely two now go!’