Nathan

“And so,” the Judge continued, “if ye now Are bent on Law, on that alone, and counsel Such as I can, will none--I bid you hence. But, if I counselled you, my rede were this: Take ye the matter simply as it lies. Each from your father had his ring--let each Be well persuaded that the ring he holds Is the true Ring. It may be that your father Was minded to maintain the tyranny Of the one Ring no longer. And ’tis certain He loved you all, and loved you each alike. Would not have one exalted, one oppressed. Mark that! and be it yours to emulate His great impartial love. Strive, each of you, To show the Ring’s benignant might his own; Yea, help the mystic power to do its kind, With gentleness, with loving courtesy, Beneficence to man, and unto God The deep devotion of the inmost soul. And when, full many a generation hence, Within your children’s children’s children’s hearts The mystery of the Ring is manifest, Lo! in a thousand thousand years, again Before this judgment-seat I summon you, Where one more wise than I shall sit and speak. Now go your ways.” So spake the modest Judge.