Argent the armor shone in the sun;
The grim lord grinned at its dazzling display.
A strong man stood with mighty mace;
Let fly such force the mace head burst.
The blows fell thick;
-- it still shone silver --
-- without scratch or nick. --

'Such magnificent mail,' said that master of men,
'Is well worth winning; the price I pay
'A pittance so paltry it beggars the brain.'
'Come! The crown is yours; then let us make mirth
'With as splendid a feast
-- as ever was served --
-- in West or in East. --

High that hall, and wide-spread its walls
Yet filled overflowing: all manner of men
Were gathered together with bounty before them,
Washing the wine down from flowing flagons.
Above all the rest
-- the Quendi sat --
-- their grim host's guest. --

Cordil cracked jokes, laughing loud,
But his stare often strayed to the distant doors.
Fèhaglin fidgeted, her hasty hands
Flickering, fluttering with hummingbird's hovering.
Nearby, gleaming bright
-- Mirloth lay, glistening --
-- with roseate light --

At length it was late; the brands burning low
Spat and sputtered with flickering flames.
Some now slept, but many more
Muttered, murmured, drunk and dazed.
Then, her voice strong
-- Fèhaglin offered --
-- to sing them a song. --

Silence struck, and in that instant
Cordil called from his flute a soothing song
That softly sounded through the eery air
Like a spirit singing of light and life
Undying
-- over mortal lands --
-- which it blew past crying. --

Fèhaglin followed with a song like the sea
Soothing yet surging as wild as the waves,
Echoing endlessly, rhythmically rocking,
Roaring, resounding, repeating, returning,
Foaming floods whose constant dashings,
-- wash all away --
-- with lullabye crashings. --

Heavy heads hung, dull eyes drooped,
Then one by one each dim face fell.
And last like a leaf the tall lord's gaze
Dropped faint and frail to face the floor.
Some snoring mutters
-- then all was still --
-- as the last torch sputtered. --

They stood with stealth, gently lifted the jewel,
And softly slipped from the hushing hall.
In silent slumber a kingdom slept
Unwarned of absence. They fled for freedom
Leading in quiet line
-- those of their folk --
-- who had helped with the wine. --