6

Twelve men beside him still there went,

still faithful when all hope was spent.

Their names are yet in elven-song

remembered, though the years are long

since doughty Dagnir and Ragnor,

Radhruin, Dairuin and Gildor,

Gorlim Unhappy, and Urthel,

and Arthad and Hathaldir fell;

since the black shaft with venomed wound

took Belegund and Baragund,

the mighty sons of Bregolas;

since he whose doom and deeds surpass

all tales of Men was laid on bier,

fair Beren son of Barahir.

For these it was, the chosen men

of Bëor's house, who in the fen

of reedy Serech stood at bay

about King Finrod in the day

of his defeat, and with their swords

thus saved of all the Elven-lords

the fairest; and his love they earned.

And he escaping south, returned

to Nargothrond his mighty realm,

where still he wore his crowned helm;

but they to their northern homeland rode,

dauntless and few, and there abode

unconquered still, defying fate,

pursued by Morgoth's sleepless hate.