Victory over Sauron Day

[altariel]

And Tolkien Reading Day.

And before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of the East there came a great Eagle flying, and he bore tidings beyond hope from the Lords of the West, crying:

Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor,
for the Realm of Sauron is ended for ever,
and the Dark Tower is thrown down.

Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard,
for your watch hath not been in vain,
and the Black Gate is broken,
and your King hath passed through,
and he is victorious.

Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West,
for your King shall come again,
and he shall dwell among you
all the days of your life.

And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed,
and he shall plant it in the high places,
and the City shall be blessed.

Sing all ye people!

And the people sang in all the ways of the City.

Comments

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

That's beautiful; Oxonianly, it reminds me of the banks of the Isis south of Magdalen Bridge, between the Botanic Gardens and Christ Church Meadow on one side, and Magdalen College School and St Hilda's College on the other.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

And it's just a snap taken on my phone: hardly stopped to frame the shot and haven't even cropped it. Amazing what good photos these phones can take.

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Yay, spring! Was always gorgeous on the Backs. (Waves at back end of alma mater - at least I think that's Tit Hall's Latham Court in the red brick...)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I do believe you're right!

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

It's quite distinctive. And half the year you can't see it from there, because that huge tree - if memory serves it's a copper beech - in Latham Court almost totally obscures the buildings when in leaf.

[chazzbanner.livejournal.com]

Oh to be there right now! (We had snow and ice here in Minnesota this week - after earlier snows had melted, sigh.)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

You poor thing! The weather turned beautiful here last weekend. This afternoon I was out in shirt sleeves.

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

A lovely piece of prose and a lovely photo to accompany it. One thing that struck me, which hadn't occurred to me before, is how reminiscent that extract is of the Psalms from the King James Version of the Bible. I dare say that didn't happen by chance. (And appropriately enough, it's the four hundredth anniversary of the King James Version this year.)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yes, I think you're entirely right that the piece is meant to invoke one of the Psalms (and I'm sure Tolkien knew what he was about!).

[raspberryfool.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely picture, Alt, and well seen. I think it would make a good postcard. Yay for spring. :-)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Probably my favourite walk in the whole town: I always get beautiful photos there. Used my phone to get this: didn't have to change anything about the image, not even crop it!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

That reads very like a psalm with the language and repetition. Deliberately, I assume. Beautiful and apt photo!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm sure that's what Tolkien was aiming for. Glad you liked the pic!

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

Oh, spring! How lovely! Thank you!

(Grr argh it SNOWED yesterday grrr Toronto argh)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm amazed at how well this pic came out: point and click with my phone. Grey here today, of course.

GRR ARGH snow.

[tiggymalvern.livejournal.com]

So pretty! Thanks for the image :-)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

My pleasure!

[forodwaith.livejournal.com]

What a gorgeous photo! ::weeps in envy:: It's not even warm enough here for the ice to have melted.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It's been beautifully warm here the past week: spoiled by the Gulf Stream.

[infinitlight.livejournal.com]

That is amazing.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

:-)

[happytune.livejournal.com]

Lovely photo, and it was lovely to see you! Hope to see you soon in the Midlands.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Pic taken as I was crossing the river just after leaving you. Hope you enjoyed the rest of the day, and lovely to see you too!

[fallingtowers.livejournal.com]

That's just amazingly beautiful! I'm hoping for great weather when I'm in town in mid-May, so I can enjoy all those lovely green spaces and walks.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping for exactly this kind of weather for you too!

[lhun-dweller.livejournal.com]

How lovely! Thanks for sharing: gives me hope for spring's arrival here someday soon...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! Another glorious day here, although we're due a few wet days for the rest of the week...