The Lays of Beleriand Read Free

have avoided the use of numbered notes to the text, and all annotation is related to the line-numbers of the poem. This annotation (very largely concerned with variations of names, and comparisons with names in the Lost Tales) is.found at the end of each of the three major parts, followed by a commentary on the matter of that part.
    Throughout, the Tale refers to the Tale of Turambar and the Foaloke (II. 69 ff.); Narn refers to the Narn i Hin Hurin, in Unfinished Tales pp. 57 ff.

    TURIN SON OF HURIN
    &
    GLORUND THE DRAGON.
    Lo! the golden dragon of the God of Hell,
    the gloom of the woods of the world now gone, the woes of Men, and weeping of Elves
    fading faintly down forest pathways,
    is now to tell, and the name most tearful
    of Niniel the sorrowful, and the name most sad of Thalion's son Turin o'erthrown by fate.
    5
    Lo! Hurin Thalion in the hosts of war
    was whelmed, what time the white-clad armies
    of Elfinesse were all to ruin
    by the dread hate driven of Delu-Morgoth.
    That field is yet by the folk named
    Ninin Unothradin, Unnumbered Tears.
    There the children of Men, chieftain and warrior, fled and fought not, but the folk of the Elves they betrayed with treason, save that true man only, Thalion Erithamrod and his thanes like gods.
    There in host on host the hill-fiend Orcs
    overbore him at last in that battle terrible, by the bidding of Bauglir bound him living,
    and pulled down the proudest of the princes of Men.
    To Bauglir's halls in the hills builded,
    to the Hells of Iron and the hidden caverns
    they haled the hero of Hithlum's land,
    Thalion Erithamrod, to their throned lord,
    whose breast was burnt with a bitter hatred,
    and wroth he was that the wrack of war
    had not taken Turgon ten times a king,
    even Finweg's heir; nor Feanor's children,
    makers of the magic and immortal gems.
    For Turgon towering in terrible anger
    a pathway clove him with his pale sword-blade out of that slaughter -- yea, his swath was plain through the hosts of Hell like hay that lieth all low on the lea where the long scythe goes.
    A countless company that king did lead
    through the darkened dales and drear mountains 10
    15

    20
    25
    30
    35
    out of ken of his foes, and he comes not more in the tale; but the triumph he turned to doubt of Morgoth the evil, whom mad wrath took.
    Nor spies sped him, nor spirits of evil,
    nor his wealth of wisdom to win him tidings,
    whither the nation of the Gnomes was gone.
    Now a thought of malice, when Thalion stood,
    bound, unbending, in his black dungeon,
    then moved in his mind that remembered well
    how Men were accounted all mightless and frail by the Elves and their kindred; how only treason could master the magic whose mazes wrapped
    the children of Corthun, and cheated his purpose.
    40
    45
    50
    'Is it dauntless Hurin,' quoth Delu-Morgoth,
    'stout steel-handed, who stands before me,
    a captive living as a coward might be?
    Knowest thou my name, or need'st be told
    what hope he has who is haled to Angband --
    the bale most bitter, the Balrogs' torment?'
    55
    'I know and I hate. For that knowledge I fought thee by fear unfettered, nor fear I now,'
    said Thalion there, and a thane of Morgoth
    on the mouth smote him; but Morgoth smiled:
    'Fear when thou feelest, and the flames lick thee, and the whips of the Balrogs thy white flesh brand.
    Yet a way canst win, an thou wishest, still
    to lessen thy lot of lingering woe.
    Go question the captives of the accursed people I have taken, and tell me where Turgon is hid; how with fire and death I may find him soon,
    where he lurketh lost in lands forgot.
    Thou must feign thee a friend faithful in anguish, and their inmost hearts thus open and search.
    Then, if truth thou tellest, thy triple bonds I will bid men unbind, that abroad thou fare
    in my service to search the secret places
    following the footsteps of these foes of the Gods.'
    60
    65
    70
    'Build not thy hopes so high, O Bauglir --
    I am no tool for thy evil treasons;
    torment were sweeter than a