March 29, 2015

Lay of Leithian: Canto Eleven

Just as Beren is ready to forsake his life and march into the Morgoth's evil lands Huan and Lúthien find him. She will not leave her man; though he has long tried to dissuade her from following him knowing the evil paths he will tread. Lúthien's devotion outmatches her physical beauty. Huan gives counsel a second time which they heed. Lúthien uses her Elvish arts to disguise herself and Beren and wolf and bat messengers of Thû. I cannot remember the use of so much magical powers by Elves in any other story of Tolkien's. I wonder why it's so prominent here. Alas; I move one. Her arts are keen (as they should be; being the daughter of Melian):

"Swift as the wolvish coat he wore, 
Beren lay slavering on the floor,
redtongued and hungry; but there lies
a pain and longing in his eyes,
a look of horror as he sees
a batlike form crawl to its knees
and drag its creased and creaking wings.
Then howling under moon he springs
fourfooted, swift, from stone to stone, 
from hill to plain - but not alone; 
a dark shape down the slope doth skim, 
and wheeling flitters over him" 
(p. 280, The Lays of Beleriand).

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