So long I lived beneath the sun, she smiled upon my face,
The land of golden leaves taught me her fierceness and her grace.
But as the sun must every evening into shade retire,
My childhood passed, and I drew veil upon my inner fire.
To Rivendell I then returned, the mountains of the north,
The moon looked down and saw me there and sent his beacon forth.
I learned of darkness, secret voices, perils sweet of June,
I trod with light and eager feet the mountains of the moon.
The years passed: ah, a thousandfold, more lives than you could know;
The wings of life passed over me in white and golden glow.
Sun and moon, and moon and sun, and back to moon again;
Thus my days passed, the hoop of life for ever in refrain.
The moon of Rivendell shone pale as we met in the night,
Your boyish eyes, so bright with love, could not refract his light.
I was untouched: I stood and smiled, my thoughts were floating free,
As unaware, sweet boy, of you, as you were rapt with me.
The years come slow to elven-maids, but swift they pass for men;
You were a Prince both wise and strong ere I saw you again.
And then my doom did fall indeed, my love with yours enmeshed:
And as we both renounced the Shadow, I forsook the West.
O Aragorn! Your light eclipsed all other lights for me,
My life is changed, my fate entwined for all eternity.
O Aragorn! As you will fade, so then I too must die,
As sun and moon now both in shade give way to starry sky.
But looking up unto the stars, as did the elves of old,
Avails me not: my folk are gone, their dwellings bare and cold.
And so to you, my lord, my love, I bid my last farewell,
And leave you on the stony bed where evermore you’ll dwell.
And to the land of golden leaves I now return alone.
Lothlórien is still and sad; my kin have now all flown.
My bed is on a green, green hill, my monument a tree;
But even here, I’ll die hearing the lapping of the sea.
