The snippet of alliterative verse found in this chapter is a true gem. It
speaks of the mission of the Istari and how Men will dominate the Earth until
Dagor Dagorath. Then, it speaks of dreams:
"How hast thou heard it: the hidden
counsel
of the Lords of the West in the land of
Aman?
The long roads are lost that led tither,
And to mortal Men Manwe speaks not.
From the West-that-was a wind bore it
To the sleeper's ear, in the silences
Under night-shadow, when news is brought
From lands forgotten and lost ages
Over seas of years to the searching thought."
This really lends credibility to the notion that specific dreams that Tolkien's
characters had (Frodo's, Faramir & Boromir's) really were messages from the
Valar. Do you agree? If so, do you think it was just Manwe who was
able to speak to the people of Middle-earth through dreams, or was it any of
the Valar? Who spoke to whom and when? Do you think they also
received messages/communications back from the
dreamer?
"I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every minute of it!"
