towers

758 the two towers
brats roll on the floor among the dogs? Too long have they
escaped the gibbet themselves. But the noose comes, slow in
the drawing, tight and hard in the end. Hang if you will!’
Now his voice changed, as he slowly mastered himself. ‘I
know not why I have had the patience to speak to you. For I
need you not, nor your little band of gallopers, as swift to fly
as to advance, Théoden Horsemaster. Long ago I offered
you a state beyond your merit and your wit. I have offered it
again, so that those whom you mislead may clearly see the
choice of roads. You give me brag and abuse. So be it. Go
back to your huts!
‘But you, Gandalf ! For you at least I am grieved, feeling
for your shame. How comes it that you can endure such
company? For you are proud, Gandalf – and not without
reason, having a noble mind and eyes that look both deep
and far. Even now will you not listen to my counsel?’
Gandalf stirred, and looked up. ‘What have you to say that
you did not say at our last meeting?’ he asked. ‘Or, perhaps,
you have things to unsay?’
Saruman paused. ‘Unsay?’ he mused, as if puzzled.
‘Unsay? I endeavoured to advise you for your own good, but
you scarcely listened. You are proud and do not love advice,
having indeed a store of your own wisdom. But on that
occasion you erred, I think, misconstruing my intentions wilfully.
I fear that in my eagerness to persuade you, I lost
patience. And indeed I regret it. For I bore you no ill-will;
and even now I bear none, though you return to me in the
company of the violent and the ignorant. How should I? Are
we not both members of a high and ancient order, most
excellent in Middle-earth? Our friendship would profit us
both alike. Much we could still accomplish together, to heal
the disorders of the world. Let us understand one another,
and dismiss from thought these lesser folk! Let them wait on
our decisions! For the common good I am willing to redress
the past, and to receive you. Will you not consult with me?
Will you not come up?’
So great was the power that Saruman exerted in this last