The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

13 SHADOW-BRIDE



There was a man who dwelt alone,



as day and night went past



he sat as still as carven stone,



and yet no shadow cast.



The white owls perched upon his head



beneath the winter moon;



they wiped their beaks and thought him dead



under the stars of June.



There came a lady clad in grey



in the twilight shining:



one moment she would stand and stay,



her hair with flowers entwining.



He woke, as had he sprung of stone,



and broke the spell that bound him;



he clasped her fast, both flesh and bone,



and wrapped her shadow round him.



There never more she walks her ways



by sun or moon or star;



she dwells below where neither days



nor any nights there are.



But once a year when caverns yawn



and hidden things awake,



they dance together then till dawn



and a single shadow make.