05:P8a
King Sheave (Verse Form) (a)

More information on this P-text coming soon.

Volume: The Lost Road and other writings
Chapter: The Lost Road
Pages: 87–90
Paragraph count: 140
Token count: 971

Citation Index

Page numbers refer to the setting used by all editions other than mass-market paperbacks.

p87
Suddenly Ælfwine struck
⸤¶In days of
⸤¶to the Longobards,
⸤¶that of old
⸤¶a ship came
⸤¶without oar and
⸤¶The sun behind
⸤¶with flame kindled
⸤¶Wind was wakened.
⸤¶clouds greyhelméd climbed
⸤¶wings unfolding wide
⸤¶as mighty eagles
⸤¶to eastern Earth
⸤¶Men there marvelled,
⸤¶of the dark
⸤¶laughter they knew
⸤¶shadow was upon
⸤¶stalked behind them
⸤¶evilhaunted. The East
⸤¶The ship came
⸤¶and strode upon
⸤¶on sand and
⸤¶The clouds overcame
⸤¶In fear and
⸤¶sadhearted men swiftly
⸤¶to the broken
⸤¶gleaming-timbered in the
⸤¶They looked within,
⸤¶a boy they
⸤¶his face was
p87–88
⸤¶his limbs were
p88
⸤¶golden-braided. Gilt and
⸤¶with wondrous work
⸤¶In golden vessel
⸤¶stood beside him;
⸤¶a harp of
⸤¶his sleeping head
⸤¶on a sheaf
⸤¶as the fallow
⸤¶west of Angol.
⸤¶The boat they
⸤¶high above the
⸤¶from the bosom
⸤¶On his bed
⸤¶darkwalled and drear
⸤¶between waste and
⸤¶high above the
⸤¶forlorn and empty.
⸤¶no noise knowing,
⸤¶no light seeing.
⸤¶under lock left
⸤¶in the hollow
⸤¶Night wore away.
⸤¶as ever on
⸤¶day came dimly.
⸤¶Men strode within,
⸤¶fear and wonder
⸤¶The house was
⸤¶no form found
⸤¶but by bed
⸤¶dry and empty
⸤¶The guest was
⸤¶In sorrow they
⸤¶over the hills
⸤¶light came bearing.
⸤¶and high upon
⸤¶the guest beheld
⸤¶in his hair,
⸤¶at his feet
⸤¶cornsheaf lying. Then
⸤¶a song began,
p88–89
⸤¶words in music
p89
⸤¶in tongue unknown.
⸤¶and men unmoving
⸤¶Middle-earth had known
⸤¶neither song nor
⸤¶had eyes of
⸤¶seen when waking
⸤¶long forsaken. No
⸤¶no king nor
⸤¶that dwelt in
⸤¶that haunted the
⸤¶Dread was their
⸤¶long years forlorn,
⸤¶the hall of
⸤¶without fire or
⸤¶Forth men hastened¶⸥⸤¶
⸤¶from their dim
⸤¶and gates unbarred.
⸤¶To the hill
⸤¶on the guest
⸤¶bowed before him
⸤¶their years to
⸤¶wives and children
⸤¶His song was
⸤¶he looked upon
⸤¶king they made
⸤¶wheaten garland, white
⸤¶his harp his
⸤¶food and wisdom;
⸤¶To manhood he
⸤¶Sheave they called
⸤¶a name renowned
⸤¶ever since in
⸤¶his true name
⸤¶of far countries
⸤¶wash western shores
⸤¶since the world
⸤¶and the name
⸤¶Their need he
⸤¶and laws renewed
p89–90
⸤¶Words he taught
p90
⸤¶their tongue ripened
⸤¶to song and
⸤¶runes revealing. Riches
⸤¶reward of labour,
⸤¶from the earth
⸤¶sowing in season
⸤¶hoarding in garner
⸤¶for the help
⸤¶in his days
⸤¶the shadow receded,
⸤¶white ears of
⸤¶where waste had
⸤¶Halls and houses
⸤¶strong towers of
⸤¶golden-gabled, in his
⸤¶they raised and
⸤¶of wood well-carven
⸤¶fair-hued figures filled
⸤¶gold and scarlet,
⸤¶stories boding of
⸤¶were one wise
⸤¶to thread with
⸤¶counsel and comfort
⸤¶justice in judgement.
⸤¶his gifts he
⸤¶Far sprang his
⸤¶through Northern lands
⸤¶of the shining