Ainulindalë

During the mid 1930's Tolkien rewrote his account of Middle-earth's creation. It is very similar to his Lost Tales account and his later Silmarillion account. If I were to compare the three texts simultaneously I'm sure I'd be able to see the beginning germ, the evolution of details/wording, and the necessary changes due to his writing of The Lord of the Rings. In this intermediary version the story is attributed to Rúmil of Tún who was a Lost Tales character. I will point a few quotes that stood out to me for:

• There was Ilúvatar, the All-father, and he made first the Ainur, the holy ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before Time" (p. 156, The Lost Road). The term All-father really appeals to me for some reason and this beginning line is beautiful to me. 
• "...for Ilúvatar made the Elves most like in nature to the Ainur, though less in might and stature; but to Men he gave strange gifts" (p. 161, The Lost Road). Free will and death--strange gifts indeed for all the hurt and pain they caused in Middle-earth. They continue to cause much hurt and pain in our world too. 
• "But they added much to his teaching and delight much in tongues and alphabets and in the figures of broidery, of drawing and carving. For art was the especial gift of the Children of Ilúvatar" (p. 162, The Lost Road). This is in reference to the Elves; and gives great insight into their culture. 
• "But Varda was the Queen of the Valar, and was the spouse of Manwë; and she wrought the stars, and her beauty is high and aweful, and she is named in reverence" (p. 162, The Lost Road). An amazing description of Varda.
• "Behold the raiment of Manwë is blue, and blue is the fire of his eyes, and his sceptre is of sapphire; and he is king in this world of Gods, and Elves, and Men, and the chief defence against Melko" (p. 163, The Lost Road). An equally amazing description of Manwë.
• "...Men should seek beyond the world and find no rest therein; but they should have a virtue to fashion their life, amid the powers and chances of the world..." (p, 163, The Lost Road). An interesting view of Men and I think true of this Earth as well as Tolkien's creation. We find moments of joy and contentment in life but do we find true rest and satisfaction in this world? I long for something more; I think most of us do. It doesn't feel like 75-80 short years is enough. And yet we have a free will that we can bend to grab all we can in this world before the end or seek faith and service beyond ourselves for the good of others.