Сильмариллион
Of the Beginning of Days
ButastheagesdrewontothehourappointedbyIluvatarforthecomingoftheFirstborn,Middle-earthlayinatwilightbeneaththestarsthatVardahadwroughtintheagesforgottenofherlaboursinEa.AndinthedarknessMelkordwelt,andstilloftenwalkedabroad,inmanyshapesofpowerandfear,andhewieldedcoldandfire,fromthetopsofthemountainstothedeepfurnacesthatarebeneaththem;andwhatsoeverwascruelorviolentordeadlyinthosedaysislaidtohischarge.
FromthebeautyandblissofValinortheValarcameseldomoverthemountainstoMiddle-earth,butgavetothelandbeyondthePeloritheircareandtheirlove.AndinthemidstoftheBlessedRealmwerethemansionsofAule,andtherehelabouredlong.Forinthemakingofallthingsinthatlandhehadthechiefpart,andhewroughttheremanybeautifulandshapelyworksbothopenlyandinsecret.OfhimcomestheloreandknowledgeoftheEarthandofanthingsthatitcontains:whethertheloreofthosethatmakenot,butseekonlyfortheunderstandingofwhatis,ortheloreofancraftsmen:theweaver,theshaperofwood,andtheworkerinmetals;andthetillerandhusbandmanalso,thoughtheselastandallthatdealwiththingsthatgrowandbearfruitmustlookalsotothespouseofAule,YavannaKementari.AuleitiswhoisnamedtheFriendoftheNoldor,forofhimtheylearnedmuchinafterdays,andtheyarethemostskilledoftheElves;andintheirownfashion,accordingtothegiftswhichIluvatargavetothem,theyaddedmuchtohisteaching,delightingtotonguesandinscripts,andinthefiguresofbroidery,ofdrawing,andofcarving.
TheNoldoralsoitwaswhofirstachievedthemakingofgems;andthefairestofangemsweretheSilmarils,andtheyarelost.
