Сильмариллион
Of Men
InthosedaysElvesandMenwereoflikestatureandstrengthofbody,buttheElveshadgreaterwisdom,andskill,andbeauty;andthosewhohaddweltinValinorandlookeduponthePowersasmuchsurpassedtheDarkElvesinthesethingsastheyinturnsurpassedthepeopleofmortalrace.OnlytotherealmofDoriath,whosequeenMelianwasofthekindredofValar,didtheSindarcomeneartomatchtheCalaquendioftheBlessedRealm.
ImmortalweretheElves,andtheirwisdomwaxedfromagetoage,andnosicknessnorpestilencebroughtdeathtothem.TheirbodiesindeedwereofthestuffofEarth,andcouldbedestroyed;andinthosedaystheyweremoreliketothebodiesofMen,sincetheyhadnotsolongbeeninhabitedbythefireoftheirspirit,whichconsumesthemfromwithininthecoursesoftime.ButMenweremorefrail,moreeasilyslainbyweaponormischance,andlesseasilyhealed;subjecttosicknessandmanyills;andtheygrewoldanddied.WhatmaybefalltheirspiritsafterdeaththeElvesknownot.SomesaythattheytoogotothehallsofMandos;buttheirplaceofwaitingthereisnotthatoftheElves,andMandosunderIluvataralonesaveManweknowswhithertheygoafterthetimeofrecollectioninthosesilenthallsbesidetheOuterSea.Nonehaveevercomebackfromthemansionsofthedead,saveonlyBerensonofBarahir,whosehandhadtouchedaSilmaril;butheneverspokeafterwardtomortalMen.ThefateofMenafterdeath,maybe,isnotinthehandsoftheValar,norwasallforetoldintheMusicoftheAinur.
Inafterdays,whenbecauseofthetriumphofMorgothElvesandMenbecameestranged,asbemostwished,thoseoftheElven-racethatlivedstillinMiddle-earthwanedandfaded,andMenusurpedthesunlight.
