Lay of Leithian Canto I: Difference between revisions

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This first [[Cantos of the Lay of the Leithian|Canto]] of the [[Lay of Leithian]] tells of [[Elu Thingol]], and [[Lúthien Tinúviel]] and [[Doriath]]. It runs to 98 lines, one of the shorter Cantos if not the shortest save the unfinished last one.
{{lolcantos}}
This first [[Cantos of the Lay of the Leithian|Canto]] of the [[Lay of Leithian]] tells of [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]], and [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]] and [[Doriath]]. It runs to 98 lines, the shortest canto save the last, unfinished one.


:A king there was in days of old:
== Concerning the Canto ==
:ere [[Men]] yet walked upon the mould
This canto starts out with one of the more popular paragraphs, concerning Thingol.
:his power was reared in [[Menegroth|cavern]]’s shade,
{{blockquote|A king there was in days of old:<br />
:his hand was over glen and glade.
ere [[Men]] yet walked upon the mould...|vv. 1-2}}
:His shields were shining as the moon,
:his lances keen of steel were hewn,
:of silver grey his crown was wrought,
:the starlight in his banners caught;
:and silver thrilled his trumpets long
:beneath the stars in challenge strong;
:enchantment did his realm enfold,
:where might and glory, wealth untold,
:he wielded from his ivory throne
:in many-pillared halls of stone.
:There beryl, pearl, and opal pale,
:and metal wrought like fishes’ mail,
:buckler and corslet, axe and sword,
:and gleaming spears were laid in hoard–
:all these he had and loved them less
:than a maiden once in [[Doriath|Elfinesse]];
:for fairer than are born to Men
:a daughter had he, Lúthien.


:Lines 1 – 22
The descriptions of jewels is contrasted with the love of his daughter, whose description soon follows.
{{blockquote|There beryl, pearl, and opal pale<br />
and metal wrought like fishes' mail<br />
...<br />
all these he had and loved them less<br />
than a maiden once in Elfinesse;<br />
for fairer than are born to Men<br />
a daughter had he, Lúthien.|vv. 15-6, 19-22}}
 
Then it introduces [[Endor]] and orients the reader.
{{blockquote|To North there lay the Land of Dread<br />
whence only evil pathways led<br />
...<br />
to South the wide earth unexplored<br />
to West the ancient [[Belegaer|Ocean]] roared,<br />
unsailed and shoreless, wide and wild<br />
to East in peaks of blue were piled...|vv. 49-50, 55-58}}
 
Note the reference below to fairies, not uncommon in older works.  One thing about the Lay is that it commonly connects Beleriand and Faërie.
{{blockquote|''[[Esgalduin]] that fairies call<br />
in many a tall and torchlit hall|vv. 67-68}}
 
Note also that the name of '''Dairon''' is spelt here with an "i", as opposed to '''[[Daeron]]''' of later works.
{{blockquote|When leaves were long and grass was green<br />
then Dairon with his fingers lean,<br />
as daylight melted into shade,<br />
a wandering music sweetly made...|vv. 79-82}}
 
It ends on a note of change, signifying the end of the introduction and the beginning of the tale.
{{blockquote|...until a day beneath the [[sun]],<br />
when many marvels were begun.|vv. 97-98}}

Revision as of 20:19, 10 March 2020

Lay of Leithian cantos
  1. Canto I
  2. Canto II
  3. Canto III
  4. Canto IV
  5. Canto V
  6. Canto VI
  7. Canto VII
  8. Canto VIII
  9. Canto IX
  10. Canto X
  11. Canto XI
  12. Canto XII
  13. Canto XIII
  14. Canto XIV

This first Canto of the Lay of Leithian tells of Elu Thingol, and Lúthien Tinúviel and Doriath. It runs to 98 lines, the shortest canto save the last, unfinished one.

Concerning the Canto

This canto starts out with one of the more popular paragraphs, concerning Thingol.

A king there was in days of old:
ere Men yet walked upon the mould...
—vv. 1-2

The descriptions of jewels is contrasted with the love of his daughter, whose description soon follows.

There beryl, pearl, and opal pale

and metal wrought like fishes' mail
...
all these he had and loved them less
than a maiden once in Elfinesse;
for fairer than are born to Men

a daughter had he, Lúthien.
—vv. 15-6, 19-22

Then it introduces Endor and orients the reader.

To North there lay the Land of Dread

whence only evil pathways led
...
to South the wide earth unexplored
to West the ancient Ocean roared,
unsailed and shoreless, wide and wild

to East in peaks of blue were piled...
—vv. 49-50, 55-58

Note the reference below to fairies, not uncommon in older works. One thing about the Lay is that it commonly connects Beleriand and Faërie.

Esgalduin that fairies call
 in many a tall and torchlit hall
—vv. 67-68

Note also that the name of Dairon is spelt here with an "i", as opposed to Daeron of later works.

When leaves were long and grass was green

then Dairon with his fingers lean,
as daylight melted into shade,

a wandering music sweetly made...
—vv. 79-82

It ends on a note of change, signifying the end of the introduction and the beginning of the tale.

...until a day beneath the sun,
when many marvels were begun.
—vv. 97-98

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