"J.R.R. Tolkien - Silmarillion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tolkien J.R.R)

 The book, though entitled as it must be The Silmarillion, contains not only the Quenta
Silmarillion, or Silmarillion proper, but also four other short works. The Ainulindal├л and
Valaquenta, which are given at the beginning, are indeed closely related with The Silmarillion; but
the Akallab├кth and Of the Rings of Power, which appear at the end, are (it must to emphasised)
wholly separate and independent. They are included according to my father's explicit intention; and
by their inclusion is set forth the entire history is set forth from the Music of the Ainur in which the
world began to the passing of the Ringbearers from the havens of Mithlond at the end of the Third
Age.
The number of names that occur in the book is very large, and I have provided a full index;
but the number of persons (Elves and Men) who play an important part in the narrative of the First
Age is very much smaller, and all of these will be found in the genealogical tables. In addition I
have provided a table setting out the rather complex naming of the different Elvish peoples; a note
on the pronunciation of Elvish names, and a list of some of the chief elements found in these names;
and a map. It may be noted that the great mountain range in the east, Ered Luin or Ered Lindon, the
Blue Mountains, appears in the extreme west of the map in The Lord of the Rings. In the body of the
book there is a smaller map: the intention of this is to make clear at a glance where lay the
kingdoms of the Elves after the return of the Noldor to Middle-earth. I have not burdened the book
further with any sort of commentary or annotation. There is indeed a wealth of unpublished writing
by my father concerning the Three Ages, narrative, linguistic, historical, and philosophical, and I
hope that it will prove possible to publish some of this at a later date.
In the difficult and doubtful task of preparing the text of the book I was very greatly assisted
by Guy Kay, who worked with me in 1974-1975.
Christopher Tolkien
 AINULINDAL├Л
The Music of the Ainur
There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Il├║vatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the
offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to
them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad. But for a long while they sang only each alone, or
but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each comprehended only that part of me mind of Il├║vatar from which he
came, and in the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. Yet ever as they listened they came to deeper
understanding, and increased in unison and harmony.
And it came to pass that Il├║vatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a mighty theme, unfolding to
them things greater and more wonderful than he had yet revealed; and the glory of its beginning and the splendour of its
end amazed the Ainur, so that they bowed before Il├║vatar and were silent.
Then Il├║vatar said to them: 'Of the theme that I have declared to you, I will now that ye make in harmony
together a Great Music. And since I have kindled you with the Flame Imperishable, ye shall show forth your powers in
adorning this theme, each with his own thoughts and devices, if he will. But I win sit and hearken, and be glad that
through you great beauty has been wakened into song.'
Then the voices of the Ainur, like unto harps and lutes, and pipes and trumpets, and viols and organs, and like
unto countless choirs singing with words, began to fashion the theme of Il├║vatar to a great music; and a sound arose of
endless interchanging melodies woven in harmony that passed beyond hearing into the depths and into the heights, and
the places of the dwelling of Il├║vatar were filled to overflowing, and the music and the echo of the music went out into
the Void, and it was not void. Never since have the Ainur made any music like to this music, though it has been said
that a greater still shall be made before Il├║vatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Il├║vatar after the end of
days. Then the themes of Il├║vatar shall be played aright, and take Being in the moment of their utterance, for all shall
then understand fully his intent in their part, and each shall know the comprehension of each, and Il├║vatar shall give to
their thoughts the secret fire, being well pleased.
But now Il├║vatar sat and hearkened, and for a great while it seemed good to him, for in the music there were no
flaws. But as the theme progressed, it came into the heart of Melkor to interweave matters of his own imagining that
were not in accord with the theme of Il├║vatar, for he sought therein to increase the power and glory of the part assigned