Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Words: they're all we have to go on

Speaking of words, here are some I like from The Two Towers, just for fun:
"Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?"

Isn't that great? This is another great one, from Unfinished Tales, in Turin's tale:
Says Turin: "'...I will not receive gifts out of Doriath.'
'Then send back your sword and your arms,' said Beleg. 'Send back also the teaching and fostering of your youth. And let your men die in the desert to please your mood. Nonetheless, this waybread was a gift not to you but to me, and I may do with it as I will. Eat it not, if it sticks in your throat; but others here may be more hungry and less proud.'"

Beleg is so awesome. The Elves are so awesome in general, but Beleg is especially awesome. And on a different note, this is a good bit of words from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and one I can relate to on a regular basis.
"I only know as much about myself as my mind can work out under its current conditions. And its current conditions are not good."
So says Zaphod Beeblebrox and so say we all.

1 comment:

  1. Very nice words. It's nice that there's someone else who appreciates the Guide as actual literature. Have you seen the movie? If not, don't! If so, what did you think?

    And yes, Beleg is awesome. I read Children of Hurin recently, too, and it was amazing. Classic pride story.

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