Eönwë’s trumpet blast did announce the host – sailing from the west they came
To the War of Wrath, to redress past wrongs, did their ire wax as red-hot flame.
So the Eldar marched in their fairest forms – mighty, yet seeming young and strong
As their hearts beat high, for their blood was up, to avenge their most ancient wrong.
In their armoured forms blazing with jeweled light – like a host of the stars appears
Should they fall to earth. They, the mightiest host, that had walked Middle Earth for years.
There their footsteps rang to their armoured tramp, from the mountains it echoed loud:
And the elves called out that they had arrived to cast down the vile Dark Lord proud.
Morgoth heard their words – for his spies were there. But in vain did his foul heart black
Plan to see him through. Summoning captains, ordered he that they must attack.
Not the Anfauglith could hold his black host: for his minions like grains of sand
Covered all the plain as onwards they came – and their arms covered all that land.
To the Valar’s host hearkened but a few: elf-friends from erst Houses of Men
Of the elder days, marching with good cheer to fight longside the elves again.
But the many men of the Easterlings: rallied all these to Morgoth’s side.
Elves do not forget – through the years roll on – that for Morgoth most men decide.
Then the Valar shout and the Eldar roar! Then the elves sang as they strode on
Like a wall of steel armed with scythe-like blades slaying all that they hap upon.
The orcs fight – to die, and were cast in heaps. There by day or in smoky night
Marched the High Elves on with their star-lit eyes: and yet matchless in strength and might.
On the Easterlings next the Eldar fall: see the men of the East mowed down
Like sun-ripened wheat on a bloody field! On that day elves win much renown.
Neither goblin, troll, nor wolf, warg nor orc that the Dark Lord that day deployed
Could escape the wrath of the Valar host: all that came on them were destroyed.
Then the balrogs came! Wielding whips of flame! The dark captains of Morgoth’s war.
But the Valar laughed as the Eldar sang: and their spear-thrusts those balrogs tore
Spearing down each one like a roaring beast, as they fought like great boars at bay.
But that day spelt the end of the balrogs’ might: as the eldar swept them away.
When Morgoth in his halls deep under the earth heard the shouts of the gods attack
Did he quail in fear, fearing now the end. For his power – though great – might lack
The strength to prevail.
From the deepest caves, at his summons, a bestial roar
And into the sky fly the dragon host! On Midgard had such never before
Wicked creatures seen. The Valar were checked, as from skywards with fangs of steel
Down the dragons swooped bathing all in flame. But the Lords of the West reveal
Now their reserved strength: in the firmament, from high heaven and through the sky
Led by Vingilot come great flocks of birds screeching aloud their battle-cry!
The hosts meet mid-air: claw and beak with fire, tails and wings, feathers, scales and teeth
WHile Eärendil came shining as white flame – battling dragons from underneath.
Now the greatest wyrm was Ancalagon, named The Black – and into his side
Eärendil speared fast, thrusting his good blade, rending flesh, till the wounds gape wide
And the dragon at last fell to earth as a stone – no more threat were its teeth or claw.
As it fell, it broke down all Thangorodrim. Now the tide turns in this great war:
Thorondor swoops down with great beak and claws: rending dragonlings to send to earth
In a rain of blood to the bare black stones on the caverns that gave them birth.
Tulkas strides out forth with a booming laugh. Balrogs broke like torn dolls he flings
From his hands as he strides and the battle tides surge forwards. Then as Tulkas sings
While with hands adamantine he breaks, crushes each foe. Then the rocks and stone
Of Thangorodrim Tulkas rends and delves as he seeks out the Dark Lord’s throne.
Dungeons are unroofed! Prison doors unhinged! Tulkas smashes and soon destroyed
Every bar, each bolt, every lock, each door, that the Dark Lord had there employed.
Morgoth grimly recalls Tulkas’ laugh and quails, fleeing fast to his deepest mines
Tulkas laughs and sings as he tears and rends: the new day into darkness shines.
Systematically every cave and pit is unroofed till Morgoth is found
At last brought to bay. Tulkas laughs again! Then moves forwards with a quick bound
Swinging hard. Morgoth falls like a toppled tree. Though he struggles and tried to stand
Both his feet are hewn out from under him. Using Aulë’s unbreakable band –
The chain Angainor – Morgoth is bound fast. Tulkas laughs and removes the crown
Of the rebel lord. The twain Silmarils both blaze forth with a light their own
Hallowed from the trees that in Valinor did once grow in the days of old.
Tulkas reverently keeps the stolen gems. Then he seizes the iron cold
Of the Dark Lord’s crown, twisting a new shape: both his fists on the metal smote
Making it anew as a slave collar – which he fixed around Morgoth’s throat.
Morgoth’s dragged away behind Tulkas’ feet. And the Battle of Wrath is won.
So the elves of the west go to reembark – and to sail with the setting sun.
Morgoth begged mercy. His plea was denied – for the Valar knew his deceit.
To the Doors of Night he was dragged and cast to the Void on both hewn feet.
But the Dark Lord’s lies sprouted many seeds – that have spread near and far away.
Though the war’s over, yet these lies live on: bearing harvests of grief today.
Tolkien Tribute 