Lament For Theoden

From dark Dunharrow in the dim morning
With thane and captain rode Thengel's son
To Edoras he came, the ancient halls
Of the Mark-wardens mist-enshrouded
Golden timbers were in gloom mantled.

Farewell he bade to his free people
Hearth and high-seat, and the hallowed places
Where long he had feasted ere the light faded
Forth rode the king, fear behind him
Fate before him. Fealty kept he
Oaths he had taken, all fulfilled them.

Forth rode Theoden. Five nights and days
East and onward rode the Eorlingas
Through Folde and Fenmarch and the Firienwood
Six thousand spears to Sunlending
Mundburg the mighty under Mindolluin
Sea-kings; city in the South-kingdom
Foe-beleaguered, fire-encircled
Doom drove them on. Darkness took them
Horse and horseman; hoofbeats afar
Sank into silence; so the songs tell us.