I hear the stones lament them:
deep they delved us; fair they wrought us; high they builded us; but they are gone.
My eyes see the holly-trees' thickly-clustered berries but my mind sees a tall city, streets thronged with hosts of fair Elven-folk. As I watch, I see it fall in flames and war and hear the clash of steel and a hundred voices crying out in loss,
They are gone.
In the cold, thin winter sun, I shiver in pity and dread. Soon may travellers in all Middle-earth hear only this lament of trees and stones.
They are gone…