ReVerse

[HerenIstarion]

Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows
The West Wind comes walking, and about the walls it goes.
'What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring to me tonight?
Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or by starlight?'
'I saw him ride over seven streams, over waters wide and grey;
I saw him walk in empty lands, until he passed away
Into the shadows of the North. I saw him then no more.
The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor.'
'O Boromir! From the high walls westward I looked afar,
But you came not from the empty lands where no men are.'

From the mouths of the Sea the South Wind flies, from the sandhills and the stones;
The wailing of the gulls it bears, and at the gate it moans.
'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring to me at eve?
Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve.'
'Ask not of me where he doth dwell-so many bones there lie
On the white shores and the dark shores under the stormy sky;
So many have passed down Anduin to find the flowing Sea.
Ask of the North Wind news of them the North Wind sends to me!'
'O Boromir! Beyond the gate the seaward road runs south,
But you came not with the wailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth.'

From the Gate of Kings the North Wind rides, and past the roaring falls;
And clear and cold about the tower its loud horn calls.
'What news from the North, O mighty wind, do you bring to me today?
What news of Boromir the Bold? For he is long away.'
'Beneath Amon Hen I heard his cry. There many foes he fought.
His cloven shield, his broken sword, they to the water brought.
His head so proud, his face so fair, his limbs they laid to rest;
And Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, bore him upon its breast.'
'O Boromir! The Tower of Guard shall ever northward gaze
To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days.'


*******

Over Gorgor plain under sand and hill where the dry thorn crawls
The ashflake comes gliding, and on the stones it falls
‘What story untold, o ashen flake, do you bring with you today?
Have you brought the news of joy for boughs who’ve seen no spray?’
‘I know of flame under mountain tall, under abyss black and red
I know of fire and choking dust, of rocks that cover dead
I know of cruel wrath, I know, but I can tell no more
The spark may tell, the fiery spark, the one who’s born afore!’
‘O Frodo fair, on ashen plain I waited for you to tread
But ash still chokes my leaves and roots, and my thorns bring dread!’

From the muzzle red-glowing scalding spark flies, from the scorched walls and slopes
The malice of the fire it bears, but on it bears no hopes
‘What tidings new you’ll breath on me one grey and silent morn
Have you seen Frodo walking by, becompanied or lorn?’
‘Enquire not of deadly blaze for those who live on earth
Of the death fire, of the dark fire I’m born, not of the warming hearth,
No living yet have stepped inside, no shades of men there loom
No water sweet was poured there to quench the Cracks of Doom!’
'O Frodo fair! For countless years I creep and wither here
O Frodo fair! For countless years I wish that you were near!'

Over Ungol pass the salty breeze flaws and drives the fumes away
And lets the memory of the sea fall down at break of day
'What story glad you bring to me, the water clean and fair?
Have you seen Frodo walking on, climbing up the stair?’
‘Be glad for I have seen him enter halls of roaring flame
I’ve seen him out, I’ve seen him back, and he is not the same!
Dark flying shapes I’ve seen afar, but terror was no more
Soon rain will fall, and plain will live with green of leaf and bough!’
‘O Frodo fair! You’ve come at last, and stones now burst with song
You’ve come at last, and life is born, for we have waited long!’

[Evisse the Blue]

The horse and the rider
(original)

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 windion the meadow
The days have gone down 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?

Reversed version:

Here is the hound and the wanderer, here is the flute that was moaning,
Here he lies on the shield, with his dark eyes glowing,
And so pass their feet by the mounds, and the ocean flowing,
Here come the winter and frost, with grass barely showing.
Here they come like sun in the valley, like stillness in the tomb,
The night covers the east, over the plains into gloom.
We shall put out the fire and cover the urn,
We shall bow our sad faces not to see them return.

[HerenIstarion]

preliminary note:

in the following verse, terms are rendered in a bit of a 'cheating' way. Indeed, Dwomordene, meaning "Magical Wood", is rendered to be Medwesea - i.e. Meadow-sea, which is not exact, but I hope to be excused, since the linking was as follows - magical ≠ ordinary ~ plain ~ meadow. Lorien - "Golden Wood" rendered to be Celebaer - Silver Sea". Opposing 'seals' to 'men' and elf Galdriel (Shining Garland) to polar bear Morigamp (Dark Claw) is deliberate, of course

========================

In Dwimordene, in Lórien
Seldom have walked the feet of Men,
Few mortal eyes have seen the light
That lies there ever, long and bright.
Galadriel! Galadriel!
Clear is the water of your well;
White is the star in your white hand;
Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land
In Dwimordene, in Lórien
More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men


***

On Medwesea, on Celebaer
Seals often shy the passing bear
Their ears sharp they prick by night
The hunted shiver in their fright!
O Morigamp! O Morigamp
Under your paw the snow is damp!
Keen are the teeth in gory jaw
White is the fur but dark is claw!
On Medwesea, on Celebaer
Oft hunts the seals the polar bear!