Melian’s Lament
I stand by thee, o Beechen tree, and tell to you of my sorrow deep,
That I have lived through since the day that last I sat here by thy feet,
Rested my head against thy bark, wearied from blissful dance and song
In days of old when light still shone, ere shadows started growing long.
O Beechen tree that once thou hast harkened to secret hopes and dreams
That I had when to thee I sang of promises held in stars’ beams.
I tell thee now of loss and grief, the price I pay for love and bliss,
Of those I love and still have lost, whom ever dearly I now miss.
O Beechen tree, how I have missed and longed to walk here in thy shade,
How to return here I had hoped, from Ennor where all things must fade,
With my beloved, my star, my light, who under tree took me as bride,
In starlit darkness filled with peace, and there stayed loving by my side.
O Beechen tree that thou dost drink my bitter tears on this bright day,
My tears I cry for her I bore, our child whom love did steal away.
I would thou hadst seen her amidst her flowers that her dance made spring,
From cold earth like stars of heaven, when Lúthien us spring did bring.
O Beechen tree I must now leave, and bid thee keep my deepest hope
That one fair day my love returns, that we together learn to cope,
With our grief, and until then, by Mandos’ walls I’ll singing stand,
And hope to sit by thee with him, and mourn and weep here hand in hand.
