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| Artwork by Patrick Wynne |
I want to remind you a poem by Tolkien. I have found it in the archival issue of Quettar #27 from January 1987. This is an untranslated poem in classical Old English metre in thirteen lines and signed 'J.R.R.T.'. In his article "Henry Bradley, keeper of the words of English and his heroic passing" J. S. Ryan wrote:
It will be argued, later, that this little offering is, in its way and despite its very late composition, a deliberate change to the traditional direction of Old English verse much as Caedmon's hymn was when it turned traditional heroic verse to a then novel Christian use. The Neo-Anglo-Saxon poem which has the orthodox half-lines and correct alliteration, runs thus:
úþwita sceal ealdgesægenum
fród fymgewritum féolan georne;
hár ond hygegléaw hord scéawian
worda ond reorda, wíde geond eorþan
snyttro sécan, sméaþoncol mon;
wísdóme þéon wunian on áre
rúna rǽdan, rincas lǽran,
oþþæt scír metod to gesceap-hwíle
hine ellor aciegþ eard gesécan.
Þa felaléof féreþ on fréan wǽre,
werum bewopen woruldfréondum,
léodwita líþost ond lárgeornost,
démena gedéfost ond déophýdgost.
J.R.R.T.
© The Tolkien Estate Limited 2020
According to J. S. Ryan the careful translation of this alliterative Old English poem by Tolkien is as follows:
A scholar, a wise one must needs apply himself
eagerly to the old traditions, to the ancient writings;
grey-haired and sagacious, the subtle man is to
scrutinize the treasure of words and of languages,
must seek prudence far and wide about the earth;
such a one will flourish in wisdom, will continue
in honour, will control the secrets, instruct the
warriors, until the radiant Creator at the appointed time
shall summon him elsewhere to come to His dwelling-place.
Then the very dear one shall pass into the keeping of the Lord,
mourned over by men, by friends in this world,
he the most gentle of sages and the most eager to teach,
the most gracious of assessors and the most deeply reflective.
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