r_blackcat did firmly say she didn't have time to translate the whole of Finrod Zong and yet has ended up heroically exploring... well. Rather a lot of lines.But I have to admit, I am pleased with what we finally wrangled into English between us, for Sauron's lines and then Finrod's great spell: I think it was worth the effort.
Sauron:
A feeble imitation of the Creator’s first design -
What little can you do, to restore the broken line?
The Song of Creation can no longer be altered:
The thread is too far woven, pattern forever faulted
I see you losing everything, all you have been given.
Left with only bitter memory... Are you strong enough for that?
Finrod:
Where nothing is forgotten,
there on the stone curl runes,
The strings of the lyre
untouched by running years.
At my shoulder stands the young
Untainted peaceful world
Rising like a new dawn
Nothing’s forgotten,
Memory has such power,
that it keeps us from harm.
Memory is alive
And see, she is unstained,
Wraiths and lies
vanish, like a dream.
That is the law
While imperishable light
fills the sky.
I call upon the memory of
the Light before Sun and Moon
To lift my voice against you.
So that our strengths are matched
...our strengths are matched...
Sauron:
Power in this world belongs only to he,
Who would without doubt tear off the chains of slavery
Quendi - naught but servants of masters that they curse,
Pitiful parody of the people who are real
Things like you can’t play the games of darkness and of light,
I am free to do with you, anything I want.
Yes, the Robin of Sherwood reference was deliberate! And I'm posting this in an attempt to stop myself staring intently at the last two lines of Sauron's first verse and trying to make them rhyme as well, because that way madness lies.
