Of Men

           TheValarsatnowbehindtheirmountainsatpeace;andhavinggivenlighttoMiddle-earththeyleftitforlonguntended,andthelordshipofMorgothwasuncontestedsavebythevalouroftheNoldor.MostinmindUlmokepttheexiles,whogatherednewsoftheEarththroughallthewaters.

           FromthistimeforthwerereckonedtheYearsoftheSun.SwifterandbrieferaretheythanthelongYearsoftheTreesinValinor.InthattimetheairofMiddle-earthbecameheavywiththebreathofgrowthandmortality,andthechangingandageingofallthingswashastenedexceedingly;lifeteemeduponthesoilandinthewatersintheSecondSpringofArda,andtheEldarincreased,andbeneaththenewSunBeleriandgrewgreenandfair.

           AtthefirstrisingoftheSuntheYoungerChildrenofIluvatarawokeinthelandofHildorienintheeastwardregionsofMiddle-earth;butthefirstSunaroseintheWest,andtheopeningeyesofMenwereturnedtowardsit,andtheirfeetastheywanderedovertheEarthforthemostpartstrayedthatway.TheAtanitheywerenamedbytheEldar,theSecondPeople;buttheycalledthemalsoHildor,theFollowers,andmanyothernames:Apanonar,theAfter-born,Engwar,theSickly,andFirimar,theMortals;andtheynamedthemtheUsurpers,theStrangers,andtheInscrutable,theSelf-cursed,theHeavy-handed,theNight-fearers,theChildrenoftheSun.OfMenlittleistoldinthesetales,whichconcerntheEldestDaysbeforethewaxingofmortalsandthewaningoftheElves,saveofthosefathersofmen,theAtanatari,whointhefirstyearsoftheSunandMoonwanderedintotheNorthoftheworld.ToHildorientherecamenoValatoguideMen,ortosummonthemtodwellinValinor;andMenhavefearedtheValar,ratherthanlovedthem,andhavenotunderstoodthepurposesofthePowers,beingatvariancewiththem,andatstrifewiththeworld.