Властелин колец: Две башни
The Road to Isengard
Ayeindeed,theywouldpaypuregoldforabriefglance!’
’AndIwouldgivegoldtobeexcused,’saidLegolas;’anddoubletobeletout,ifIstrayedin!’
’Youhavenotseen,soIforgiveyourjest,’saidGimli.’Butyouspeaklikeafool.Doyouthinkthosehallsarefair,whereyourKingdwellsunderthehillinMirkwood,andDwarveshelpedintheirmakinglongago?TheyarebuthovelscomparedwiththecavernsIhaveseenhere:immeasurablehalls,filledwithaneverlastingmusicofwaterthattinklesintopools,asfairasKheled-zâraminthestarlight.
’And,Legolas,whenthetorchesarekindledandmenwalkonthesandyfloorsundertheechoingdomes,ah!then,Legolas,gemsandcrystalsandveinsofpreciousoreglintinthepolishedwalls;andthelightglowsthroughfoldedmarbles,shell-like,translucentasthelivinghandsofQueenGaladriel.Therearecolumnsofwhiteandsaffronanddawn-rose,Legolas,flutedandtwistedintodreamlikeforms;theyspringupfrommany-colouredfloorstomeettheglisteningpendantsoftheroof:wings,ropes,curtainsfineasfrozenclouds;spears,banners,pinnaclesofsuspendedpalaces!Stilllakesmirrorthem:aglimmeringworldlooksupfromdarkpoolscoveredwithclearglass;cities.suchasthemindofDurincouldscarcehaveimaginedinhissleep,stretchonthroughavenuesandpillaredcourts,onintothedarkrecesseswherenolightcancome.Andplink!asilverdropfalls,andtheroundwrinklesintheglassmakeallthetowersbendandwaverlikeweedsandcoralsinagrottoofthesea.
