Fragment Of An Alliterative Lay Of Eärendel

Lo! the flame of fireand fierce hatred
engulfed Gondolinand its glory fell,
its tapering towersand its tall rooftops
were laid all low,and its leaping fountains
made no music moreon the mount of Gwareth,
and its whitehewn wallswere whispering ash.
But Wade of the Helsingswearyhearted
Túr the earthbornwas tried in battle
from the wrack and ruina remnant led
women and childrenand wailing maidens
and wounded menof the withered folk
down the path unproven that pierced the hillside,
neath Tumladin he led themto the leaguer of hills
that rose up ruggedas ranged pinnacles
to the north of the vale.There the narrow way
of Cristhorn was cloven,the Cleft of Eagles,
through the midmost mountains.And more is told
in lays and in legendand lore of others
of that weary wayof the wandering folk;
how the waifs of Gondolinoutwitted Melko,
vanish'd o'er the valeand vanquished the hills,
how Glorfindel the golden in the gap of the Eagles
battled with the Balrogand both were slain:
one like flash of firefrom fangéd rock,
one like bolted thunder black was smitten
to the dreadful deepdigged by Thornsir.
Of the thirst and hungerof the thirty moons
when they sought for Sirionand were sore bestead
by plague and peril;of the Pools of Twilight
and Land of Willows;when their lamentation
was heard in the hallswhere the high Gods sate
veiled in Valinor ..the Vanished Isles;
all this have othersin ancient stories
and songs unfolded,but I say further
how their lot was lightened,how they laid them down
in long grassesof the Land of Willows.
There sun was softer,...the sweet breezes
and whispering winds,there wells of slumber
and the dew enchanted