Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor
In that time were made those things that afterwards were most renowned2 of all the works of the Elves. For Fлanor, being come to his full might, was filled with a new thought, or it may be that some shadow of foreknowledge came to him of the doom3 that drew near; and he pondered how the light of the Trees, the glory of the Blessed Realm, might be preserved imperishable. Then he began a long and secret labour, and he summoned all his lore4, and his power, and his subtle skill; and at the end of all he made the Silmarils.
As three great Jewels they were in form. But not until the End, when Fлanor shall return who perished ere the Sun was made, and sits now in the Halls of Awaiting and comes no more among his kin5; not until the Sun passes and the Moon falls, shall it be known of what substance they were made. Like the crystal of diamonds it appeared, and yet was more strong than adamant6, so that no violence could mar1 it or break it within the Kingdom of Arda. Yet that crystal was to the Silmarils but as is the body to the Children of Ilъvatar: the house of its inner fire, that is within it and yet in all parts of it, and is its life. And the inner fire of the Silmarils Fлanor made of the blended light of the Trees of Valinor, which lives in them yet, though the Trees have long withered7 and shine no more. Therefore even in the darkness of the deepest treasury8 the Silmarils of their own radiance shone like the stars of Varda; and yet, as were they indeed living things, they rejoiced in light and received it and gave it back in hues9 more marvellous than before.
All who dwelt in Aman were filled with wonder and delight at the work of Fлanor. And Varda hallowed the Silmarils, so that thereafter no mortal flesh, nor hands unclean, nor anything of evil will might touch them, but it was scorched10 and withered; and Mandos foretold11 that the fates of Arda, earth, sea, and air, lay locked within them. The heart of Fлanor was fast bound to these things that he himself had made.
Then Melkor lusted12 for the Silmarils, and the very memory of their radiance was a gnawing14 fire in his heart. From that time forth15, inflamed16 by this desire, he sought ever more eagerly how he should destroy Fлanor and end the friendship of the Valar and the Elves; but he dissembled his purposes with cunning, and nothing of his malice17 could yet be seen in the semblance18 that he wore. Long was he at work, and slow at first and barren was his labour. But he that sows lies in the end shall not lack of a harvest, and soon he may rest from toil19 indeed while others reap and sow in his stead. Ever Melkor found some ears that would heed20 him, and some tongues that would enlarge what they had heard; and his lies passed from friend to friend, as secrets of which the knowledge proves the teller21 wise. Bitterly did the Noldor atone22 for the folly23 of their open ears in the days that followed after.
When he saw that many leaned towards him, Melkor would often walk among them, and amid his fair words others were woven, so subtly that many who heard them believed in recollection that they arose from their own thought. Visions he would conjure24 in their hearts of the mighty25 realms that they could have ruled at their own will, in power and freedom in the East; and then whispers went abroad that the Valar had brought the Eldar to Aman because of their jealousy26, fearing that the beauty of the Quendi and the makers27' power that Ilъvatar had bequeathed to them would grow too great for the Valar to govern, as the Elves waxed and spread over the wide lands of the world.
In those days, moreover, though the Valar knew indeed of the coming of Men that were to be, the Elves as yet knew naught28 of it; for Manwл had not revealed it to them. Bat Melkor spoke29 to them in secret of Mortal Men, seeing how the silence of the Valar might be twisted to evil. Little he knew yet concerning Men, for engrossed30 with his own thought in the Music he had paid small heed to the Third Theme of Ilъvatar; but now the whisper went among the Elves that Manwл held them captive, so that Men might come and supplant31 them in the kingdoms of Middle-earth, for the Valar saw that they might more easily sway this short-lived and weaker race, defrauding32 the Elves of the inheritance of Ilъvatar. Small truth was there in this, and little have the Valar ever prevailed to sway the wills of Men; but many of the Noldor believed, or half believed, the evil words.
Thus ere the Valar were aware, the peace of Valinor was poisoned. The Noldor began to murmur33 against them, and many became filled with pride, forgetting how much of what they had and knew came to them in gift from the Valar. Fiercest burned the new flame of desire for freedom and wider realms in the eager heart of Fлanor; and Melkor laughed in his secrecy34, for to that mark his lies had been addressed, hating Fлanor above all, and lusting35 ever for the Silmarils. But these he was not suffered to approach; for though at great feasts Fлanor would wear them, blazing on his brow, at other times they were guarded close, locked in the deep chambers37 of his hoard38 in Tirion. For Fлanor began to love the Silmarils with a greedy love, and grudged39 the sight of them to all save to his father and his seven sons; he seldom remembered now that the light within them was not his own.
High princes were Fлanor and Fingolfin, the elder sons of Finwл, honoured by all in Aman; but now they grew proud and jealous each of his rights and his possessions. Then Melkor set new lies abroad in Eldamar, and whispers came to Fлanor that Fingolfin and his sons were plotting to usurp40 the leadership of Finwл and of the elder line of Fлanor, and to supplant them by the leave of the Valar; for the Valar were ill-pleased that the Silmarils lay in Tirion and were not committed to their keeping. But to Fingolfin and Finarfin it was said: 'Beware! Small love has the proud son of Mнriel ever had for the children of Indis. Now he has become great, and he has his father in his hand. It will not be long before he drives you forth from Tъna!'
And when Melkor saw that these lies were smouldering, and that pride and anger were awake among the Noldor, he spoke to them concerning weapons; and in that time the Noldor began the smithying of swords and axes and spears. Shields also they made displaying the tokens of many houses and kindreds that vied one with another; and these only they wore abroad, and of other weapons they did not speak, for each believed that he alone had received the warning. And Fлanor made a secret forge, of which not even Melkor was aware; and there he tempered fell swords for himself and for his sons, and made tall helms with plumes41 of red. Bitterly did Mahtan rue42 the day when he taught to the husband of Nerdanel all the lore of metalwork that he had learned of Aulл.
Thus with lies and evil whisperings and false counsel Melkor kindled43 the hearts of the Noldor to strife44; and of their quarrels came at length the end of the high days of Valinor and the evening of its ancient glory. For Fлanor now began openly to speak words of rebellion against the Valar, crying aloud that he would depart from Valinor back to the world without, and would deliver the Noldor from thraldom45, if they would follow him.
Then there was great unrest in Tirion, and Finwл was troubled; and he summoned all his lords to council. But Fingolfin hastened to his halls and stood before him, saying: 'King and father, wilt46 thou not restrain the pride of our brother, Curufinwл, who is called the Spirit of Fire, all too truly? By what right does he speak for all our people, as if he were King? Thou it was who long ago spoke before the Quendi, bidding them accept the summons of the Valar to Aman. Thou it was that led the Noldor upon the long road through the perils47 of Middle-earth to the light of Eldamar. If thou dost not now repent49 of it, two sons at least thou hast to honour thy words.'
But even as Fingolfin spoke, Fлanor strode into the chamber36, and he was fully50 armed: his high helm upon his head, and at his side a mighty sword. 'So it is, even as I guessed,' he said. 'My half-brother would be before me with my father, in this as in all other matters.' Then turning upon Fingolfin he drew his sword, crying: 'Get thee gone, and take thy due place!'
Fingolfin bowed before Finwл, and without word or glance to Fлanor he went from the chamber. But Fлanor followed him, and at the door of the king's house he stayed him; and the point of his bright sword he set against Fingolfin's breast 'See, half-brother!' he said. 'This is sharper than thy tongue. Try but once more to usurp my place and the love of my father, and maybe it will rid the Noldor of one who seeks to be the master of thralls51.'
These words were heard by many, for the house of Finwл was in the great square beneath the Mindon; but again Fingolfin made no answer, and passing through the throng53 in silence he went to seek Finarfin his brother.
Now the unrest of the Noldor was not indeed hidden from the Valar, but its seed had been sown in the dark; and therefore, since Fлanor first spoke openly against them, they judged that he was the mover of discontent, being eminent54 in self-will and arrogance55, though all the Noldor had become proud. And Manwл was grieved, but he watched and said no word. The Valar had brought the Eldar to their land freely, to dwell or to depart; and though they might judge departure to be folly, they might not restrain them from it. But now the deeds of Fлanor could not be passed over, and the Valar were angered and dismayed; and he was summoned to appear before them at the gates of Valmar, to answer for all his words and deeds. There also were summoned all others who had any part in this matter, or any knowledge of it; and Fлanor standing56 before Mandos in the Ring of Doom was commanded to answer all that was asked of him. Then at last the root was laid bare, and the malice of Melkor revealed; and straightway Tulkas left the council to lay hands upon him and bring him again to judgement. But Fлanor was not held guiltless, for he it was that had broken the peace of Valinor and drawn57 his sword upon his kinsman58; and Mandos said to him: 'Thou speakest of thraldom. If thraldom it be, thou canst not escape it; for Manwл is King of Arda, and not of Aman only. And this deed was unlawful, whether in Aman or not in Aman. Therefore this doom is now made: for twelve years thou shall leave Tirion where this threat was uttered. In that time take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art. But after that time this matter shall be set in peace and held redressed59, if others will release thee.'
Then Fingolfin said: 'I will release my brother.' But Fлanor spoke no word in answer, standing silent before the Valar. Then he turned and left the council, and departed from Valmar.
With him into banishment60 went his seven sons, and northward61 in Valinor they made a strong place and treasury in the hills; and there at Formenos a multitude of gems62 were laid in hoard, and weapons also, and the Silmarils were shut in a chamber of iron. Thither63 also came Finwл the King, because of the love that he bore to Fлanor; and Fingolfin ruled the Noldor in Tirion. Thus the lies of Melkor were made true in seeming, though Fлanor by his own deeds had brought this thing to pass; and the bitterness that Melkor had sown endured, and lived still long afterwards between the sons of Fingolfin and Fлanor.
Now Melkor, knowing that his devices had been revealed, hid himself and passed from place to place as a cloud in the hills; and Tulkas sought for him in vain. Then it seemed to the people of Valinor that the light of the Trees was dimmed, and the shadows of all standing things grew longer and darker in that time.
It is told that for a time Melkor was not seen again in Valinor, nor was any rumour64 heard of him, until suddenly he came to Formenos, and spoke with Fлanor before his doors. Friendship he feigned65 with cunning argument, urging him to his former thought of flight from the trammels of the Valar; and he said: 'Behold66 the truth of all that I have spoken, and how thou art banished67 unjustly. But if the heart of Fлanor is yet free and bold as were his words in Tirion, then I will aid him, and bring him far from this narrow land. For am I not Vala also? Yea, and more than those who sit in pride in Valimar; and I have ever been a friend to the Noldor, most skilled and most valiant68 of the people of Arda.'
Now Fлanor's heart was still bitter at his humiliation69 before Mandos, and he looked at Melkor in silence, pondering if indeed he might yet trust him so far as to aid him in his flight. And Melkor, seeing that Fлanor wavered, and knowing that the Silmarils held his heart in thrall52, said at the last: 'Here is a strong place, and well guarded; but think not that the Silmarils will lie safe in any treasury within the realm of the Valar!'
But his cunning overreached his aim; his words touched too deep, and awoke a fire more fierce than he designed; and Fлanor looked upon Melkor with eyes that burned through his fair semblance and pierced the cloaks of his mind, perceiving there his fierce lust13 for the Silmarils. Then hate overcame Fлanor's fear, and he cursed Melkor and bade him be gone, saying: 'Get thee gone from my gate, thou jail-crow of Mandos!' And he shut the doors of his house in the face of the mightiest70 of all the dwellers71 in Eд.
Then Melkor departed in shame, for he was himself in peril48, and he saw not his time yet for revenge; but his heart was black with anger. And Finwл was filled with great fear, and in haste he sent messengers to Manwл in Valmar.
Now the Valar were sitting in council before their gates, fearing the lengthening72 of the shadows, when the messengers came from Formenos. At once Oromл and Tulkas sprang up, but even as they set out in pursuit messengers came from Eldamar, telling that Melkor had fled through the Calacirya, and from the hill of Tъna the Elves had seen him pass in wrath73 as a thundercloud. And they said that thence he had turned northward, for the Teleri in Alqualondл had seen his shadow going by their haven74 towards Araman.
Thus Melkor departed from Valinor, and for a while the Two Trees shone again unshadowed, and the land was filled with light. But the Valar sought in vain for tidings of their enemy; and as a cloud far off that looms75 ever higher, borne upon a slow cold wind, a doubt now marred76 the joy of all the dwellers in Aman, dreading77 they knew not what evil that yet might come.
收听单词发音 |
1
mar
|
|
| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
renowned
|
|
| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
doom
|
|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
lore
|
|
| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
kin
|
|
| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
adamant
|
|
| adj.坚硬的，固执的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
withered
|
|
| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
treasury
|
|
| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
hues
|
|
| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
scorched
|
|
| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
foretold
|
|
| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
lusted
|
|
| 贪求（lust的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
lust
|
|
| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
gnawing
|
|
| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
inflamed
|
|
| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
semblance
|
|
| n.外貌，外表 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
toil
|
|
| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
teller
|
|
| n.银行出纳员；(选举)计票员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
atone
|
|
| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
conjure
|
|
| v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
makers
|
|
| n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
engrossed
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
supplant
|
|
| vt.排挤；取代 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
defrauding
|
|
| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
secrecy
|
|
| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
lusting
|
|
| 贪求（lust的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
hoard
|
|
| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
grudged
|
|
| 怀恨（grudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
usurp
|
|
| vt.篡夺，霸占；vi.篡位 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
plumes
|
|
| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
rue
|
|
| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
kindled
|
|
| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
strife
|
|
| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
thraldom
|
|
| n.奴隶的身份，奴役，束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
46
wilt
|
|
| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
perils
|
|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
repent
|
|
| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
thralls
|
|
| n.奴隶( thrall的名词复数 )；奴役；奴隶制；奴隶般受支配的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
thrall
|
|
| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
throng
|
|
| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
eminent
|
|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
arrogance
|
|
| n.傲慢，自大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
kinsman
|
|
| n.男亲属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
redressed
|
|
| v.改正( redress的过去式和过去分词 )；重加权衡；恢复平衡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
banishment
|
|
| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
northward
|
|
| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
gems
|
|
| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
rumour
|
|
| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
feigned
|
|
| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
banished
|
|
| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
valiant
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
humiliation
|
|
| n.羞辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
mightiest
|
|
| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
dwellers
|
|
| n.居民，居住者( dweller的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
lengthening
|
|
| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
haven
|
|
| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
looms
|
|
| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
marred
|
|
| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
dreading
|
|
| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |