One sighing autumn evening, when golden were the trees,
And red their branches garlanded in the crisp cool breeze,
Two travellers ahead I saw, and they hailed me.
The woman's hair was streaked with grey and tall the lad her by
With searching look she met me, and spoke as sunlight died,
"Oh well met traveller, I see within your eyes,"
Sorrows many and laughter swift, of elven-kind you are."
I nodded then, and beckened them, those weary travellers far.
"Rest awhile, and eat with me, for mortal though ye be,
"Your hands are kind and laughter lines, through sorrow brighter gleam.
Together we may laugh and weep, for much we both have seen."
We sat around a merry fire and she began her plea,
"Oh firstborn tell me is it true that memory unfading,
You hold until the world's end in remembrance undying?"
"Not long it will be until I die, and after me my son,
Remember I beg my Aegion's name in all the ages after
"Bold and strong my husband stood, and tall his helmet grim,
His smile tender, his laughter quick, and deep his voice and song,,
But evil the day on Gladden's field when he fell to darkness strong."
And with words of solemn promise I replied in the evening dim.
"I will remember, and thy name too, until the moon does end,
Until at last my name shall fade unless in circles beyond
When far beyond the doom of men to ultimate fate transcend
Then, none of the wise can say if our memory be prolonged.
"Elmirwen and Aegion" I called into the night,
While Arda lasts, and I draw breath, shall never be forgot,
"Liltarë" she whispered, in her eyes a promise bright,
And perhaps in far eternity, the echo fadeth not
We rose to part, but yet her son spoke keen and elven wise,
"I thank the fate that crossed our paths this golden autumn gloaming,"
"Wish us swift courage, elven maid, long yet our journey lies,"
And with a solemn smile in the evening I replied,
"And enduring courage wish for me, for long my path is winding
May bright stars smile upon you, beyond the world's marring "
