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to him of Eilinel his wife.<br />
‘Wouldst thou,’ he said, ‘forsake thy life,<br />
who with few words might win release<br />
for her, and thee, and go in peace,<br />
and dwell together far from war,<br />
friends of the King? What wouldst thou more?’<br />
And Gorlim, now long worn with pain,<br />
yearning to see his wife again<br />
(whom well he weened was also caught<br />
in Sauron’s net), allowed the thought<br />
to grow, and faltered in his troth.<br />
Then straight, half willing and half loath,<br />
they brought him to the seat of stone<br />
where Sauron sat. He stood alone<br />
before that dark and dreadful face,<br />
and Sauron said: ‘Come, mortal base!<br />
What do I hear? That thou wouldst dare<br />
to barter with me? Well, speak fair!<br />
What is thy price?’ And Gorlim low<br />
bowed down his head, and with great woe,<br />
word on slow word, at last implored<br />
that merciless and faithless lord<br />
that he might free depart, and might<br />
again find Eilinel the white,<br />
and dwell with her, and cease from war<br />
against the King. He craved no more.<br />
Then Sauron smiled, and said: ‘Thou thrall!<br />
The price thou askest is but small<br />
for treachery and shame so great!<br />
I grant it surely! Well, I wait:<br />
Come! Speak now swiftly and speak true!’<br />
Then Gorlim wavered, and he drew<br />
half back; but Sauron’s daunting eye<br />
there held him, and he dared not lie:<br />
as he began, so must he wend<br />
from first false step to faithless end:<br />
he all must answer as he could,<br />
betray his lord and brotherhood,<br />
and cease, and fall upon his face.<br />
Then Sauron laughed aloud. ‘Thou base,<br />
thou cringing worm! Stand up,<br />
and hear me! And now drink the cup<br />
that I have sweetly blent for thee!<br />
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