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| Poems and Tales of Middle-Earth: |
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(illustration by Alan Lee) |
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(Sam's song for the 'oliphaunt')
"Grey as a mouse,
Big as house,
Nose like a snake,
I make the earth shake,
As I tramp through the grass;
Trees crack as I pass.
With horns in my mouth
I walk in the South,
Flapping big ears.
Beyond count of years
I stump round and round,
Never lie on the ground,
Not even to die.
Oliphaunt am I,
Biggest of all,
Huge, old, and tall.
If ever you'd met me
You wouldn't forget me.
If you never do,
You won't think I'm true;
But old Oliphaunt am I,
And I never lie."
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(illustration by John Howe) |
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The Lord of the Rings
Part II. The Two Towers
Quotes from Tolkien's Novel
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| Ithilien: Encounter with Faramir. |
" 'But what have we found?'
'Not Orcs', said another [...]
'Elves?' said a third, doubtfully.
'Nay, not Elves,' said the fourth [...] 'Elves are wondrous fair to look upon,
or so 'tis said.'
'Meaning we're not, I take you,' said Sam. 'Thank you kindly. And when you've finished discussing
us, perhaps you'll say who you are, and why you can't let two tired travellers rest.' "
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"It was Sam's first view of a battle of Men against Men, and he did not like it
much. He was glad that he could not see the dead face. He wondered what the men's name was and where he came from;
and if he was really evil of heart, or what lies or threats had led him on the long march from his home; and if he
would rather have stayed there in peace."
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"There was some murmuring, but also some grins on the faces of the men looking on:
the sight of their Captain sitting on the ground and eye to eye with a young hobbit, legs well apart, bristling with
wrath, was one beyond their experience."
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" 'I do not slay man or beast needlessly, and not gladly even when it is needed.' " (Faramir)
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"Frodo thought for a moment, fearing some further trap, and wondering how this
debate would turn in the end. He had hardly saved the Ring from the proud grasp of Boromir, and how he would fare
now among so many men, warlike and strong, he did not know. Yet he felt in his heart that Faramir, though he was much
like his brother in looks, was a man less self-regarding, both sterner and wiser."
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" 'The boat turned into the stream and passed glimmering on into the night. Dreamlike
it was, and yet no dream, for there was no waking.' "(Faramir)
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" 'And now your tale fills me with dread. For if Boromir was then in peril and was slain,
I must fear that all my companions perished too. And they were my kindred and my friends.
'Will you not put aside your doubt of me and let me go? I am weary, and full
of grief, and afraid. But I have a deed to accomplish, before I too am slain. And the more need of haste, if we two
halflings are all that remain of our fellowship.' "(Frodo)
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" 'Mithrandir was lost!' said Faramir. 'An evil fate seems to have pursued your
fellowship. It is hard indeed to believe that one of so great wisdom, and of power - for many wonderful things he did
among us - could perish, and so much lore be taken from the world.' "
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" 'For myself', said Faramir, 'I would see the White Tree in flower again in the
courts of the kings, and the Silver Crown return, and Minas Tirith in peace. Minas Agor as of old, full of light, high
and fair, beautiful as a queen among other queens, not a mistress of many slaves. War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all;
but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory.
I love only that which they defend: the city if Númenor; and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry,
her beauty, and her present wisdom. Not feared, save as men may fear the dignity of a man old and wise.' "
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"Frodo made no answer. Almost he yielded to the desire for help and counsel, to tell
this grave young man, whose words seemed so wise and fair, all that was in his mind. But something held him back.
His heart was heavy with fear and sorrow: if he and Sam were indeed, as seemed likely, all that was now left of the
Nine Walkers, then he was in sole command of the secret of their errand. Better mistrust undeserved than rash words.
And the memory of Boromir, of the dreadful change that the lure of the Ring had worked on him, was very present to
his mind, when he looked at Faramir and listened to his voice: unlike they were, and yet also much akin."
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"They walked in silence for a while, passing like grey and green shadows under the old trees,
their feet making no sound; above them many birds sang, and the sun glistened on the polished roof of dark
leaves in the evergreen woods of Ithilien."
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