May it please my Lord the King of the Mark:
As to Master Holdwine, he is in excellent health for his years; after the manner of the Shirefolk, who wear an hundred years as the Men of Rohan wear fourscore, and in his case perhaps a little better. He is still in full possession of his faculties and his wits and, at an age when even his long-lived kinsfolk would generally be singeing their toe-hairs at ease by the fire, he can scarcely be restrained from errantry; and if your uncle the King, whom Merry loved as a second father, could not bid him remain at home, I for one would not look to fare any better, even had I the authority and the heart. But it is not to be thought that he will forget of his promise to the kinsman and heir of King Theoden of noble memory.
As to my lord Gimli, he prospers and waxes strong after the manner of Durin’s Folk, being yet in the days of his full pomp and power, and his axe is as adept as ever to punish the miscreant - or to discuss the beauty of well-favoured ladies.
Will it please the Lord of the Mark to hear a poor trifle of elvish doggerel? For I have visited Rohan but little ere now, and I would fain sing of the Land of Chivalry now that I have seen it.
(Assuming that approval is granted, I sit before the throne and uncover my harp, and sing on this wise.)
The grass grows tall and waves beneath the Sun
In all the pleasant pastures of the Mark -
Land of wild steeds that never felt the rein
Till mastered by each brave and gentle knight
Whose deeds of valour live in song and tale
Of fealty kept and courage in the charge.
Each shield bears unstained its proper charge
Borne afar in lands beneath the sun:
Aprance the White Horse proudly shakes its tail,
And swift and sure addressing to the mark
His lance presents each gallant courtly knight,
Whose mount responds to lightest touch of rein.
Faithful and true throughout their King’s long reign
Rider and horse their duties all discharge:
The honour and the prowess of the knight
Taught by father to aspiring son
Who, hearing sire’s speech, does closely mark
All that the Rider’s manhood-codes entail.
O, had I tongue that well could tell the tale
Of Rohan’s master-touch upon the rein!
How keenly thrusts the spear to make its mark
On all who vainly dare withstand the charge -
Surely the Valar send their benison
Upon the bold and graceful valiant knight.
His arm is strong from dawn until the night;
His lust for battle grows not ever stale;
Nor faints the knight for any heat of sun,
Nor fails his hand for any chill of rain.
Entrusted with no matter what the charge
He e’er upholds the honour of the Mark.
And, greatest day of all, they left their mark:
When threescore hundred, each a peerless knight,
Stirrup to stirrup gathered for the charge -
For aye be told the unforgotten tale
When Theoden King his last time took the rein
To bring to shadowed Mundburg news of sun.
Sing of the Riddermark and tell the tale
Of perfect gentle knight and sovereign;
Of Rohan’s mighty charge at rising sun!
