Clamavi De Profundis

The Song Of Eärendil (part III)

Clamavi De Profundis


A ship then new they built for him
Of mithril and of elven-glass
With shining prow; no shaven oar
Nor sail she bore on silver mast
The Silmaril as lantern light
And banner bright with living flame
To gleam thereon by Elbereth
Herself was set, who thither came
And wings immortal made for him
And laid on him undying doom
To sail the shoreless skies and come
Behind the Sun and light of Moon

From Evereven's lofty hills
Where softly silver fountains fall
His wings him bore, a wandering light
Beyond the mighty Mountain Wall
From World's End then he turned away
And yearned again to find afar
His home through shadows journeying
And burning as an island star
On high above the mists he came
A distant flame before the Sun
A wonder ere the waking dawn
Where grey the Norland waters run

And over Middle-earth he passed
And heard at last the weeping sore
Of women and of elven-maids
In Elder Days, in years of yore
But on him mighty doom was laid
Till Moon should fade, an orbéd star
To pass, and tarry never more
On Hither Shores where Mortals are
For ever still a herald on
An errand that should never rest
To bear his shining lamp afar
The Flammifer of Westernesse