Lay of Leithian: Canto Fourteen

Canto fourteen is the last piece of the Lay of Leithian and it ends rather abruptly. It clearly is not the end of the story but Tolkien would go no further in his writing of of the poetic version. (There were plot outlines and a few snippets of stanzas but nothing substantial). O that he would have finished it.

While I admit poetry is not my preferred form of writing I have really enjoyed pouring through the Lay of Leithian and even with some 4200+ rhyming lines I find it more epic and moving than sing-song child's play. I'll end with the very last lines as Beren bravely defends his love from Carcharoth, now awakened from his enchanted sleep:

"Too swift for thought his onset came,

too swift for any spell to tame;

and Beren desperate then aside

thrust Lúthien, and forth did stride

unarmed, defenceless to defend

Tinúviel to the end.

With left he caught at hairy throat,

with right hand at the eyes he smote--

his right, from which the radiance welled

of the holy Silmaril he held.

As gleam of swords in fire there flashed

the fangs of Carcharoth, and crashed

together like a trap, that tore

the hand about the wrist, and shore

through brittle bone and sinew nesh,

devouring the frail mortal flesh;

and in that cruel mouth unclean

engulfed the jewel's holy sheen"

(p. 307-308, The Lays of Beleriand).

Bravery bravery's sake in the face of impossible odds. Honor defined by keeping your word against impossible odds (Lúthien even suggest that she and Beren should run away together; but he had made a vow to Thingol). Love that is staunch, unfailing, and sacrificial. Beren and Lúthien.