This is a dual text with the English being a literal word-for-word translation. A freer English version can be found in the English section.
The verse form is called a Rondeau Rédoublé, a French verse form. See if you can work out its rules! In the first poem I managed to keep the rhyme scheme, but have had to be a little more flexible in the others.
Petri tells me that it is considered as "cheating" in Finnish to make the rhymes from suffixes. Sorry Petri!
Since the Forum really doesn't like having too much to do in one post, I'm putting each poem in separately. I hope that makes sense!
This song cycle was written through the ages by Elven lords of the Exile.
Nó
Nó hurur nér hlussainë hlaremmassen :
Nó ily' alassë vánë endammallon :
Nó lindi nér *quorainë niemmassen :
Nó i mornië túlë lattamorillon -
Before
Lamanyë terë rondo coammallon
Laitalë Eldamaro lindimmassen :
Anwa quettar Valaron carpamallon
Nó hurur nér hlussainë hlaremmassen ::
.
I sérë Lórieno fëammassen,
Tá alcar síler lassi Aldammallo;
Teleri meldë lirner hrestammassen,
Nó ily' alassë váner endammallon ::
I vanië lindalëo nyellemmallon,
Ehteli sirner ninquë ostommassen,
Nandelë hlassemmë tarwammallon,
Nó lindi nér *quorainë niemmassen ::
Silmarillion síler míremmassen
Cal' *ainana samneltë v'aldammallon,
Unemmë samë thossë óremmassen
Nó i mornië túlë lattamorillon -
. . . . . . . . . Nó hurur nér hlussainë ::