THE TOLKIEN VERSE OF THE WEEK

The Ent and the Entwife

ENT: When Spring unfolds the beechen leaf, and sap is in the bough;

When light is on the wild-wood stream, and wind is on the brow;

When stride is long, and breath is deep, and keen the mountain air,

Come back to me! Come back to me, and say my land is fair!

ENTWIFE: When Spring is come to garth and field, and corn is in the blade;

When blossom like a shining snow is on the orchard laid;

When shower and sun upon the earth with fragrance fill the air,

I'll linger here, and will not come, because my land is fair.

ENT: When Summer lies upon the world, and in a noon of gold,

Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold;

When woodland halls are green and cool, and wind is in the West,

Come back to me! Come back to me, and say my land is best!

ENTWIFE: When Summer warms the hanging fruit and burns the berry brown;

When straw is gold, and ear is white, and harvest comes to town;

When honey spills and apple swells, though wind be in the West,

I'll linger here beneath the Sun, because my land is best!

ENT: When Winter comes, the winter wild that hill and wood shall slay;

When trees shall fall and starless night devour the sunless day;

When wind is in the deadly East, then in the bitter rain

I'll look for thee, and call to thee; I'll come to thee again!

ENTWIFE: When Winter comes, and singing ends; when darkness falls at last;

When broken is the barren bough, and light and labour past;

I'll look for thee, and wait for thee, until we meet again:

Together we will take the road beneath the bitter rain!

BOTH: Together we will take the road that leads into the West,

And far away will find a land where both our hearts may rest.