The Battle of Maldon together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son and 'The Tradition of Versification in Old English' Quotes

“Behind The Homecoming's dramatic dialogue is Tolkien's search for the lost Maldon poet: Totta's terrifying journey through the battlefield, his long debate with Tida, and his mysterious dream serve up an imaginative genesis for the older poem”
― Peter Grybauskas, The Battle of Maldon together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son and 'The Tradition of Versification in Old English'

“Tis shame to take the ring and drink the mead, and leave the giver of the gift at need.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Battle of Maldon together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son and 'The Tradition of Versification in Old English'

“Heart shall be bolder, harder be purpose,
more proud the spirit as our power lessens!
Mind shall not falter nor mood waver,
though doom shall come and dark conquer.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Battle of Maldon together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son and 'The Tradition of Versification in Old English'

“Thus ages pass,
and men after men. Mourning voices
of women weeping. So the world passes;
day follows day, and the dust gathers,
his tomb crumbles, as time gnaws it,
and his kith and kindred out of ken dwindle.
So men flicker and in the mirk go out.
The world withers and wind rises;
the candles are quenched. Cold falls the night.
It's dark! It's dark, and doom is coming!
Is no light left us?”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Battle of Maldon together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son and 'The Tradition of Versification in Old English'