towers

the voice of saruman 757
‘But my lord of Rohan, am I to be called a murderer,
because valiant men have fallen in battle? If you go to war,
needlessly, for I did not desire it, then men will be slain. But
if I am a murderer on that account, then all the House of
Eorl is stained with murder; for they have fought many wars,
and assailed many who defied them. Yet with some they have
afterwards made peace, none the worse for being politic. I
say, Théoden King: shall we have peace and friendship, you
and I? It is ours to command.’
‘We will have peace,’ said Théoden at last thickly and with
an effort. Several of the Riders cried out gladly. Théoden
held up his hand. ‘Yes, we will have peace,’ he said, now in
a clear voice, ‘we will have peace, when you and all your
works have perished – and the works of your dark master to
whom you would deliver us. You are a liar, Saruman, and a
corrupter of men’s hearts. You hold out your hand to me,
and I perceive only a finger of the claw of Mordor. Cruel and
cold! Even if your war on me was just – as it was not, for
were you ten times as wise you would have no right to rule
me and mine for your own profit as you desired – even so,
what will you say of your torches in Westfold and the children
that lie dead there? And they hewed Háma’s body before the
gates of the Hornburg, after he was dead. When you hang
from a gibbet at your window for the sport of your own
crows, I will have peace with you and Orthanc. So much for
the House of Eorl. A lesser son of great sires am I, but I do
not need to lick your fingers. Turn elsewhither. But I fear
your voice has lost its charm.’
The Riders gazed up at Théoden like men startled out of
a dream. Harsh as an old raven’s their master’s voice sounded
in their ears after the music of Saruman. But Saruman for a
while was beside himself with wrath. He leaned over the rail
as if he would smite the King with his staff. To some suddenly
it seemed that they saw a snake coiling itself to strike.
‘Gibbets and crows!’ he hissed, and they shuddered at the
hideous change. ‘Dotard! What is the house of Eorl but a
thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek, and their