Antique Lyrics of Arda

[Walküre]

BEYOND THE TIDE

In the ancient glorious Middle
Stood an Island clad in riddle,
Closest then to deathless strands,
Revering once the Undying Lands.

Erstwhile ardour vanished utter.
Way was given to a Plotter.
Older bonds abated slow,
Yet ever making of the foe.

Emptied Lords the jar of hope,
Craving wealth that lay on slope,
Or claiming bays as proper right,
There where Men abide in fright.

Foolish counsel crept its path,
Wont the Crown to sway to wrath.
Greedy sea-kings knew no bound,
But warring horns and vengeful sound.

Sailed had fleets beyond the Tide,
Forbidden waves in sin to ride,
Willed to wrest the Eternal Fief
From holy rule of Arda's Chief.

**********

O FORSAKEN LAND!

O forsaken land,
Marred afore and banned!
Thee I wish to heal
From striking foul ordeal.

A den thou wast for wraiths,
Behind thy darksome gates.
A shelter for his ghouls
And horrid deadly tools.

How grave hath thus decayed
The realm that was so made
A scorching waste of sorrow
Besetting now and morrow!

Siege had laid a host
To dreadful Orc and ghost,
In ranks which fairly shone
Before the Demon's throne.

O sunken blighted dale!
The fire-mountain's gale
Thou suffer'st from the time
The earth was plunged in crime.

[Walküre]

ASTIR WOKEN

Twilit morrows come about.
Colder nights begin to rout
Gladder days held in glee,
Of an age worn, told in plea.

Fright is fast and spreading wide,
Akin to malady or tide,
Which very few permits to live
To see the cheerful starry eve.

Haze descends on haunted cairns;
Dread is brought to dells and glens.
Some confess to witness ill,
Upon the eerie burial chill.

Mounds begrudge the daring stranger,
Deaf to warning; fool to danger.
Nay, you travel not such fiendish route!
From tainted ground depart your foot!

'Tis real! 'Tis true! 'Tis ominous betiding!
Hark well, my dear: deathly knights are riding!
Yet other phantoms roam, where stored is precious token;
Inside their tomb they scheme. Astir they have just woken.

**********

UNEARTHING FOULNESS

Once upon a sombre time
Lifeless mud and savage slime
Produced ulterior enemies of fear,
Below the wizard-dwelling's tier.

Underneath the olden walls
Lay some ghoulish cavern-halls.
Foundered deep inside the soil,
There were places fiends could spoil.

Serfs began to dig and mine,
Guided sure by flaming sign
Which burnt alight in Seeing Stones:
A vile commander, King of Bones.

They burrowed restless, morn and night;
New servants woke, born to fight.
The mage was bidden by the Eye
To muster hell, for war is nigh.

May heathlands raise fort and tower!
Much greater threats stare and glower.
Retreat might be the win of darkness;
The Istar acts, unearthing foulness.

[Walküre]

BLIZZARD TO HALT

The Ghoul ordained to lay
Despair across the Way
Of northern kings and folks,
And bound the free in yokes.

O sacred wistful North!
From cave they sally forth!
His armies flesh devour;
The Witch is wight of power.

His sword is beaming red,
While kingdoms writhe in dread.
His dagger conjures fiends
And woeful roaring winds.

But all is not yet lost,
Though thick has grown the frost,
For southern Lords arrive
To keep their twin alive.

Elves traversed as well
To battle Ice and Fell;
A blizzard willed to halt,
Alongside wrenching fault.

**********

UNMADE THE HORN

Which tiding bearest thou?
Why great and valiant bow?
My loved and broken Son,
Have I thee justice done?

Speak thy riddle, foreign mage!
Old thou art, but not a sage.
Thine awry plans have ill begot,
Within thy foolishness and lot.

Unmade the Horn, felled by beast.
The journey wound too farther east.
My legacy of blood, mourn shall I thy tale;
This Steward owneth nought, but utter rueful wail.

Yet grieving serveth none,
And twilit got the Sun,
Foreboding scare and night:
A prelude of the fight.

Thou wishest foes to come
And much nefarious drum
To shatter stone with dread,
As like thy counsel said.

A victim, shorn of evils,
To sacrifice to devils
Thou needest very clear,
Bending doubts through fear.

This mongering of doom, I call a vain attempt.
Were I the one to sneer, if yeomen showed contempt?
I know, indeed, whom wantest thou to reign;
Thy vagabond of woods, shall never tread this lane!

[Walküre]

LO! A BRIGHT MIRAGE IS NIGH

Too dangerous to go,
A path of reed and sloe,
Which climbs over gullies
And stranger's garment sullies.

The Hobbits fled around
At rider's chilling sound,
Whose cry guts bestirs
Amid oaks and firs.

A fellow them is aiding
From phantom, ghoul and fading.
A knife yet wounded grave
The Bearer none could save.

He soon was near demise.
A gaze on empty eyes
Was leading him astray,
Where spectres wane away.

Lo! A bright mirage is nigh,
Which rids the sad of sigh;
A damsel clad in light
Of purest sinless white.

**********

A DESTINED MESSENGER

Shall I tell thy future deed?
Shall I speak of my good creed?
Leastways doth recalling well
For grimmer fate to now foretell.

Ye must remember pious blood,
Spilt and shed in mode of flood
Bedewing red the unsullied havens,
Which presaged dead and famished ravens.

Thou! Atone and pride forgo!
Stricken swoon thou wast by Foe.
Thine anguish will for long persist,
While fighting Ruin of Morgoth's Fist.

My grieving streams have brought me news;
The Immortal found in grudge no use.
And waters bar the way to seas
Which oft ye sing and mourn in pleas.

Some further banes await thee yet,
My stranded one, besieged by threat.
A destined Messenger will mend
Thy vilest act about the End.

[Walküre]

THIS RIDER-DAME

What ought to be?
How greet you me?
Abreast this Maid
You pass the glade.

We head afar,
Neath awry star,
Yet King and Heir
To glory fare.

You harbour one,
As bright as sun,
Within such heart
That won't depart.

With Elven-grace
Was blessed her race,
Whose ancient Keep
They sorely weep.

Know this, however!
Mishap may sever
My flesh asunder,
To awful wonder.

And still would I,
In soar and cry,
Avenge the soul
Of Théoden's Hall.

May heavens break!
May perish sake!
May surge to fame
This Rider-Dame!

**********

IN THE CREVICE

In the crevice of the mount
Common folks not surmount
What of ill there abides,
Near the narrow rocky sides.

'Tis a cleft in the stone
Hiding cursed living bone,
And the way shut remains,
Lest to one happen banes.

Kingly promise they reclaim
So to end perpetual blame,
Staying true to the oath
At the Shadow's rapid growth.

But to crowns they respond,
In the name of regal bond;
Thus will spectres serve again
Some beleaguered fearful Men.

Ghoul will turn in precious aid,
When mishaps deplete the blade,
To the ruin of the Orcs
And their gruesome villain-works.

[Walküre]

LONESOME HOME

East the Hobbit-fence
Shall the Road commence
Whereto errands go,
Daring outer woe.

There is Fairy-Wood
Which evilness withstood,
And lucky ones might greet
Its springing meadow-wheat.

Golden glen and dale,
Scarcely would you pale
Before some farther bliss,
Where stories run amiss.

In truth lies a Home
Beside brook and foam,
And lonesome evermore,
At least to common lore.

Two dwell content,
In land of no-lament.
A Wiseman wading water;
A gracious River-Daughter.

**********

NOT A SEER

I see grand armies flow
Beyond the edge aglow,
Of certain sombre like,
Through feral beast and pike.

I glimpse in wicked plot
That downfall had begot,
When Fair Ones used to tread
A world devoid of dread.

Beheld have I the Bane of Men!
A glance at pit, cove, and den!
Strife awaits. Paeans stayed.
Yeomen grieve their King afraid.

White Rider, much I fear!
This one Hobbit's not a seer!
I mayhap did forget and chance
His black desire so to advance.

Too deep a wound he wrought,
That rendered me distraught;
And winds I clear perceive,
Advising us to leave.

[Walküre]

YET CARRY I MAY YOU

On incandescent Waste
We journey ash in haste,
Unto the fiery ravine,
Where molten rock is waving.

So weary have we grown.
So large a queer unknown
We dealt with ever-stout
Which merriment shall rout.

The Mount we seek to climb,
And darkest bodes the time
Whereat we dare to win,
Amid despair and sin.

Recall you cannot stream
Or berries fine to deem;
The hues of Green appear
To only stir your tear.

That burden I shan't bear,
For sworn have I to care
And vows I keep as due,
But carry I may you!

**********

THOU KNEELEST NOW

Thou kneelest now
Before thy foe,
To turn the prow
From nasty woe.

Thou seekest hence
To beg in vain,
Yet vile offence
Begetteth pain.

No writ have I
To unmake the guilt;
Thine awful lie
A prison built.

The Iron Crown
We struck afire.
I cast it down
And smote thy Sire.

O faithless Ghoul!
Bestir thy mind!
I am no fool
Whom devils bind.

Yond must ye,
Repenting thus,
Traverse the Sea
Past water's mass.

In face of Him,
The Ancient King,
Thy pride bedim
At Angel's Ring!

[Walküre]

ONE VERY WHISPER

One very whisper shall bequeath
The lay untold, in mode of myth.
A single murmur seething wide
Is often tale of Elven-pride.

Whirling seas bespeak again
A painful trace of bloody ken,
Since prideful Houses took the way
From saint-abode: besotted Bay.

Swan-ships burnt, brought adrift.
The price of heist headed swift
To mortal confines, there afar,
Where only glimmered Varda's Star.

One very whisper may so tell.
The Foe awaits: the Ever-Fell!
In cold recesses nightmares wake,
Too coarse and deep to whole unmake.

Alas, to Sires harm was even done.
The Valar wept, at surging Sun.
The Smith gave in to imposing ire.
His corpse now lies, consumed by fire.

**********

FORSAKE THE WAR!

Forsake the war, my fiery King!
Thine offspring marched to Morgoth's Ring.
Thou led'st the immortal Brethren proud
And blew'st the trumpet broad aloud.

To avenge his Theft unto despair
Thine armies sacked the Haven bare,
Despoiling sea-folks of their ships:
Soon shall ye perish by flame-whips!

The boding Fate whereof I speak
Fore-known had been on Manwë's Peak,
And times divine ulterior Scourge,
For fiends in twilight shall re-surge.

Agin thy Host we shall enclose
The Eternal Continent from woes.
Agin thine arrogance and greed
Thou shalt regret rebellious deed.

Forgo the chasing of the Jewel!
'Tis vain revenge and hopeless duel.
Before the Foe thou win'st no longer,
If even thou wert threefold stronger.

[Walküre]

A THRONE OF FLAME

What would you fear,
If not the smear
Of witless folks,
Much versed in jokes?

I beg you not
To trust the lot
Indulging glad
In tale of mad.

A silly talk.
A foray-walk
In peasant's lore
Which happed afore.

Some murmurs spread:
Perfidious dread!
The Dwarven-gate
Decayed of late.

Its halls became
A throne of flame
For creeping swarm
And putrid form.

**********

ORBS MAY DIE

Orbs may die.
Bards shall sigh.
This my Oath
I cry not loth.

O western seas!
O yonder-breeze!
Ye mayhap turn
From Shore to burn.

The Hither-Strand,
By so a land,
Shall thus partake
In flood and quake.

My potent Stones!
On my Kin's bones
I vow to flail
The Foe of tale.

His foulest fiend
Such roaring wind
Shall never hinder,
In name of Wonder.

On Thee I swear!
Defend from Wear
The valiant Elf,
Accursed himself.

My Ancient King,
Within thy Ring
Decreest thou just
And Right to trust.

Yet Angels failed.
Yet Queens bewailed.
Inside their Shire
Was set a fire.

On stainless Plains
Trod then two Banes,
And lightless Night
Had bound your Might.

The Trees are gone.
The West grew wan.
Sole remnants live
Of Yester-Eve.

My Relics were
The Demon's door
To coming where
Was laid his Lair.

We sail far thither,
While friendships wither.
We head to Doom,
While daisies bloom.

[Walküre]

WIGHTS AFIELD!

Wights afield!
Bear the shield!
Man the post!
Slay the ghost!

Upon their steed,
Men's ears bleed;
A cry of dread
Betokens dead.

Which beast of hell
Might guardians fell
So grimly full
By devil's rule?

The Knight in White
Assuages fright.
A legate sent
Who furthest went.

Stay, hearken!
Heavens darken!
A wolf-device
Gates hammered thrice.

**********

A CONTEST ON THE MOUND

Aflame and bursting all around,
Befell a contest on the Mound
To hail the victor of the night,
Who thus prevailed by grace of might.

The Wizard held himself till dawn
And battled firm the wicked pawn
That Evil set on long pursuit,
Throughout a daunting peril-route.

A walking Wraith began to seek
For Little Folks about the creek,
Because an Heirloom they possess:
One Ring to damn and not to bless.

He kept a vigil, atop that Ruin.
Some distant flares were Mage's doing.
In guise of lightning, yond afar,
He spoke his magic, spooks to bar.

No venom-dagger could succeed.
No darksome Knight on ghoulish steed.
The Grey bowed not to evil Rider;
The Bearer succour found in Strider.

[Walküre]

BRANDISH IT!

Brandish it, great Heir!
No better iron might
In perfidy and fright
Secure your being from wear.

At death you are to stare,
While battling the Unright,
Which blighted fiefdoms bare
Of merriment and light.

To gift the Blade I dare,
At onset of despair,
For well foresaw my sight
That you shall rout the night.

**********

I PASS TO HIM

I pass to him
The grace I bear,
Which makes me fair
And rich of vim.

I beg my blood,
Descent of yore,
To summon flood
At Elven-door.

The sacred stream
Ye shall not taint,
Though haps beseem
To smite us faint.

The Hobbit's fine!
The Wraith's amiss!
We drove the Nine
Away from bliss.

I vow to stand
And further fight
This villain-wight
From sullen land.

[Walküre]

THE TOWER'S FALL

The Tower's fall
Lay just ahead,
Beyond the wall
Of mindless dread.

Then debris cast
Its woeful ruin,
Along with blast
And storm ensuing.

Courageous victors.
Volcanic room.
Now languish spectres
Of Evildoom!

They shameful wane.
They all surrender.
Here is the bane,
Hence rent asunder.

His prowess tied
That craft together;
We watch it glide
In calm new weather.

**********

SO FEY A MARVEL HAPPED

So fey a Marvel happed,
As Iron peasants trapped,
And colour faded pale
Through thunderstorm and gale.

A Sorcerer betrayed
The heathland-knight and maid,
For lurid sport of crows,
To feast on brutal woes.

Yet feral raiders daren't
Beset the far lament
Which golden reed pervades
Within the enchanted glades.

A mighty Elvish Dame
They try in vain to tame,
But fallen wizards fail
To sully wood and dale.

Her prodigy we ignore.
That's old forbidden lore.
We only gape at Light,
Where dwells the Queen aright.

[Walküre]

DAMASK-ROSE

I see whom nature gifted well,
So fair and worth a praising tell.
I see whom love has dearly shown
To be the queen of this my throne.

The seat of happiness herein,
Where vigour dwindled very thin,
For darkness left a longtime trace
On Hobbit's lovelorn kindly face.

So vast a wasteland have I gone,
Until my Master foes had won,
Yet ever fain I found relief
From malice sown and wrenching grief.

Delight I sought in golden lock,
Which sundry birds may dare to mock.
No brighter visage better glows
Than my besotted damask-rose.

**********

MEANDERING ABOUT

Meandering about,
I would then order flout,
Were sentinels to unveil
The green path to the Vale.

Wandering across,
Amid the tender moss,
We guard the western bound
And set a watch around.

Refuge give us woods
From much nefarious broods,
Unto gleeful Country
We serve as loyal sentry.

Rangers pride in stealth,
Instead of kingly wealth;
Their duty they deem dear,
Be they by brook or mere.

We answer to the Lord
Of joyous dell and ford.
We hail him our guide,
When roads we chance to stride.

[Walküre]

AND DRAGONS HID

And Dragons hid
To rest amid
The lonely Chill
In sleepy will.

They so repose
From blades and bows,
Beneath the feet
Of Dwarven-seat.

Of greed and fire
Was bane to Sire,
For blaze will melt
The King who dwelt.

The Drake shall soar,
As did afore,
And losses wreak
To Hall and Creek.

The Town on Lake
Will deem her sake
Such worthy stone
To rueful moan.

***

And dragons hid
In wrathful bid
To strike the Chamber
Of rock and timber.

The hour ran
Beyond one's ken,
And days would hap
Till cunning trap.

The Mount became
A sordid flame
Which mines had lit
And conquered wit.

The weary Dwarf
Would walk like serf,
Betraying his skill
And dauntless will.

Yet sung in rhyme
For gladder time
Was lay to sound
Past vale and mound.

***

And dragons hid
Their serpent-lid
Deep down the Gold
Which shone of old.

A seer spoke,
Bereft of joke,
Divining fine
A hopeful Sign.

The rightful Heir
Shall climb the stair,
Once cloven wise
In Dwarven-guise.

Bells will hail
Around the Vale
Such gallant quest
In tunes of fest.

Alack, it is
To ravage trees
And Water heat
By mountain's feet.

***

And dragons hid
To thence forbid
The unlucky Sire
From fleeing fire.

The Snake in wait
Is never sate,
For always longs
To make some wrongs.

Below their Wealth,
By snare and stealth,
One breath of doom
Patrols the gloom.

Shall Exiles pave
Their road to Cave,
To free the keep
Which rooted deep?

O risky route!
O vicious loot!
The Prince will take
The throne from drake.

***

And dragons hid
The world to rid
In future age
Of Dwarf and sage.

The Fellows tread
A way unsaid,
Combating ill
And outer thrill.

A woodland King,
Whom harpers sing,
A deed much bold
Deemed war for Gold.

Among them found
Himself around
A valiant Thief,
Withstanding grief.

The Burglar won!
He now shall don
The Mail of Kings
Of shiny rings.

[Walküre]

GRANDLORD UNDER HILL

Halls you drew from ore
At very dawn of lore,
And cloven was the throne
In mountain's deepest bone.

Neath the vaults of rock
Masons came to mock
The kingly frown in marble,
Chiselling his fable.

A place to hide from monster.
A dwelling used to foster
The works of Durin's Folk
Who put the mount on yoke.

So fairly rich a mine,
Wherein the delvers dine!
So prosperous a maze
To tell in pomp through lays!

Grandlord under hill,
The fates to dare you will,
For Dwarven-Rings bestir
A threat to cave and fir.

**********

ALGOUR ON STRAND

Algour fell on strand,
Upon the blissful Land,
To darken swans and Port
Past consecrated fort.

Fountains dried away.
Grimness held the Bay.
Barren Trees decayed.
Chill was turned to blade.

Mariners ashore
Mourn the hapless lore,
While tempest rises fell
From paradise and Bell.

Algid lay the Haven,
White by masons graven,
Until was Light anew
To wake the Kingdom's Hue.

Further Ice beyond
Was bare to strain the bond
Betwixt righteous Sire
And Prince of Elven-squire.

**********

FUTILE HOPE

It is profound dismay
To muse on vestige long,
As dawns a grievous day
And enemies are strong.

Men beseem to quail
Before the approaching storm,
Known to them the flail
Menacing their norm.

Accustomed grew the king
To questioning the sky,
In futile hope to cling
To ancient ken or lie.

Grandiose tombs were built,
Embellished by remorse,
Out of envious guilt
Towards a greater force.

Now the Steward lives
To see the fief in chain,
And ruthless wester eves
Preceding wrathful bane.