1. A SONG OF PRAISE
Sing me something.
I do not know how to sing.
But you must sing to me.
What should I sing?
Sing the beginning of the creatures!
I will sing in praise of God the Creator:
We hold these truths in heart-runed words
our Maker shaped, that all men
are created equal, and so inscribed
with nature's law; their nostrils open
to holy breath the heaven-spirit;
so here in middle-earth let every mouth
the sweet kiss taste of human-kindness
and sing in wonder word-enworlding
of life unlooked-for without limit,
of liberty the birth and blessing
of all children, and the chase
of happiness, that never horse
or hound would tire but run until
no end improves on such desire.