Scholarly Edition of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

[Faramir Jones]

Originally Posted by Galin

With respect to the part of your post that I quoted, and although I'm guessing the answer is no, but do H&S look at all at the poem Tolkien was thinking of including (Kortirion), but did not include?

As a general answer to your question, Galin, pages 11-7 of the 'Introduction' deal with the issue of what poems were decided on for the book, including those that were rejected.

Specifically regarding 'The Trees of Kortirion', in a letter of 5th February 1962 from Tolkien to Rayner Unwin, already referred to by H and S in their Chronology, part of their Companion and Guide, pages 587-8, Tolkien said he had 'raked over' his collection of poems, and sent 4 more of them, including 'The Trees of Korthirion'. He singled out that poem, calling it 'too long and too ambitious and even if considered good enough would probably upset the boat'. He suggested that if 1-2 more poems were required, they be taken from those in LotR.

Unwin, in a letter of 12th February to Tolkien, one not referred to in the 'Introduction' but referred to on page 588 of the Chronology, listed the poems received from Tolkien, agreed that 'Kortirion' did not fit but thought that 1-2 poems from LotR could be included. A letter from Tolkien to him dated 12th April said that he had placed the 16 items 'in an order'. They were the final selection of poems published in the book.

I hope this is of assistance.