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!’