Indeed it is. I'm sure I'd be much more complementary about the Downs, though.

Complementary to the Downs, Squatter?? I'm sure you are! Here's a new quote for all of you thousands who are turning the pages of their books:

Well, well; it would appear to be my week for mistakes. Of course I meant 'complimentary', so that will do nicely for Merendis' celebrated List.

There's no mistake to be made about your quotation, though: The ever-cheerful blacksmith of Ham addresses the villagers concerning the manufacture of mail.

That's it, Squatter, and let's hear it for unquenchable optimists!

Righto, O Ghosted One. When choosing these quotations I often think:

The assistance required in that quote is quite appropriate for the Barrow-Downs - Tídwald asks Torhthelm to help him move a corpse in The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth.

Unlike Tídwald's burden, there are no flies on you Esty. Your turn.

Awwww, Squatter, you do make a lady the nicest compliments!! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Here's one that should inspire all

An answer is both easy and difficult, for the quote comes from 'Leaf By Niggle' and refers to Niggle's lone sojourn in the cell of the Workhouse, yet the speakers are some mysterious 'they' [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Quite right, HI, and nice to have you joining our duet to make a trio again! Please carry on.

I came across a nice cracker, I reckon [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] :

and I'd rather learn who're "they" as well [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

'They' are a collection of mythological characters associated with the sea, whom the speaker names as former resident magicians. This illustrious group consists of Proteus, Poseidon, Triton and Neptune, and their fondness for the Mediterranean may have more to do with their origin in Graeco-Roman myth than any piscine predilections they may have entertained.

The quotation is from Roverandom, and the speaker is the Man in the Moon. Naturally it is the eponymous canine hero whom he addresses.

[ July 20, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

Dear Squatter, the way you express yourself is fascinating! The answer is as precise as severest examiner may wish. You serve [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Why thank you, old boy. I suspect, though, that many who are new to English find themselves crying I can't say that I blame them either.

"He" is, of course, the wizard Psamathos, speaking to Roverandom of the wizard Artaxerxes.

Spot on, Esty. Let's have another.

Here's a careful character:

That just goes to show how wrong one can be; especially if that one is Nokes, the former Master Cook. He's making a comment about the eponymous hero in a conversation with Prentice (soon to reveal himself to him as the King of Faery) in Smith of Wootton Major.

You are so right, Squatter! Good job, and please carry on...

Here's a cheerful little line:

...and it comes from that most cheerful poetry, The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, with Torhthelm speaking to Tídwald of a dead foe:

That boy certainly knows how to complain. Absolutely right, Esty. Your turn.

This is a comforting sentence: I'd like to know not only the speaker, but also the "lass" who's being consoled.

I only have the audio version of Farmer Giles but I remember him (Farmer Giles) saying this to his horse, did I remember wrong?

Your memory serves you well, gilraën - he is reassuring his mare that she will not have to carry the dragon's treasure back. Welcome to the thread, and please puzzle us with a new quote!

Forgive me if my memory serves me wrong in this.

The Queen of Faery addresses Smith in Smith of Wootton Major

Absolutely correct Squatter [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I knew I hadn't remembered it perfectly.

Your turn.

Those Audio tapes, on the way to work, have kept me sane for a long while, other drivers! [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

It was close enough, gilraen; it's nice to see a new face in the thread. Here's one to ponder while I'm in the land of Nod:

That was difficult to find, since it's not typical for the work in which it appears: Tídwald is the speaker in The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son.

Indeed it is. My favourite Minor Work rears its dreary head once more. Your turn.

Here's a nice question:

Hellooooooo - did anyone hear the question?

It's from Roverandom. At first that was all Rover could think of to say to little boy Two when they met on the Dark Side of the Moon.

Ah, you did hear! The answer is right, of course, and you may proceed.

The result, perhaps, of an all-you-can-eat buffet?

I'm sure it must be a member of the Non-Gender-Specific-Ship after the food fight on "The Reunification of the Entish Bow"... [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

Although The Re-unification of the Entish Bow is undoubtedly a masterpiece of this young century's literature, its status as one of J.R.R. Tolkien's minor works has been thoroughly debunked by professor E.B. Smallworthy of Barterhouse, Oxford. Unfortunately his web-site was recently crashed by a vicious ping-flood attack, so I can't offer you a link.

OK, OK, if you absolutely must be fussy and canonical about it [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img], here's the answer - it's Tim, the last recipient of the Faerie star in Smith of Wootton Major. He says:

That's the fellow. Your turn.