In the House of Tom Bombadil

           Thefourhobbitssteppedoverthewidestonethreshold,andstoodstill,blinking.Theywereinalonglowroom,filedwiththelightoflampsswingingfromthebeamsoftheroof;andonthetableofdarkpolishedwoodstoodmanycandles,tallandyelow,burningbrightly.

           Inachair,atthefarsideoftheroomfacingtheouterdoor,satawoman.Herlongyelowhairrippleddownhershoulders;hergownwasgreen,greenasyoungreeds,shotwithsilverlikebeadsofdew;andherbeltwasofgold,shapedlikeachainofflag-liliessetwiththepale-blueeyesofforget-me-nots.Aboutherfeelinwidevesselsofgreenandbrownearthenware,whitewater-lilieswerefloating,sothatsheseemedtobeenthronedinthemidstofapool.

           "Enter,goodguests!"shesaid,andasshespoketheyknewthatitwasherclearvoicetheyhadheardsinging.Theycameafewtimidstepsfurtherintotheroom,andbegantobowlow,feelingstrangelysurprisedandawkward,likefolkthat,knockingatacottagedoortobegforadrinkofwater,havebeenansweredbyafairyoungelf-queencladinlivingflowers.Butbeforetheycouldsayanything,shespranglightlyupandoverthelily-bowls,andranlaughingtowardsthem;andassheranhergownrustledsoftlylikethewindinthefloweringbordersofariver.

           "Comedearfolk!"shesaid,takingFrodobythehand."Laughandbemerry!IamGoldberry,daughteroftheRiver."Thenlightlyshepassedthemandclosingthedoorsheturnedherbacktoit,withherwhitearmsspreadoutacrossit."Letusshutoutthenight!"shesaid."Foryouarestillafraid,perhaps,ofmistandtree-shadowsanddeepwater,anduntamethings.Fearnothing!FortonightyouareundertheroofofTomBombadil."Thehobbitslookedatherinwonder;andshelookedateachofthemandsmiled.