"GL1" - читать интересную книгу автора (vol05)

city in the midmost of its western coasts was in the days of its
might called Numar or Numenos; but after its fall it was named in
legend Atalante, the Ruin.
$3. For in Numenore a great people arose, in all things more
like the First Kindred than any other races of Men that have been,
yet less fair and wise than they, though greater in body. And above
all their arts the people of Numenor nourished shipbuilding and
sea-craft, and became mariners whose like shall never be again,
since the world was diminished. They ranged from Tol-eressea,
where for many ages they still had converse and dealings with the
Gnomes, to the shores of Middle-earth, and sailed round to the
North and South, and glimpsed from their high prows the Gates
of Morning in the East. And they appeared among the wild Men,
and filled them with wonder and also with fear. For many
esteemed them to be Gods or sons of Gods out of the West, and
evil men had told them lies concerning the Lords of the West. But
the Numenoreans tarried not long yet in Middle-earth, for their
hearts hungered ever westward for the undying bliss of Valinor.
And they were restless and pursued with desire even at the height
of their glory.
But the Gods forbade them to sail beyond the Lonely Isle,
and would not permit any save their kings (once in each life before
he was crowned) to land in Valinor. For they were mortal Men,
and it was not in the power and right of Manwe to alter their fate.
Thus though the people were long-lived, since their land was
more nigh than other lands to Valinor, and many had looked long
on the radiance of the Gods that came faintly to Tol-eressea, they

remained mortal, even their kings, and their span brief in the eyes
of the Eldar. And they murmured against this decree. And a great
discontent grew among them; and their masters of lore sought
unceasingly for the secrets that should prolong their lives, and
they sent spies to seek these in Valinor. And the Gods were
angered.
And in time it came to pass that Sur (whom the Gnomes
called Thu) came in the likeness of a great bird to Numenor and
preached a message of deliverance, and he prophesied the second
coming of Morgoth. But Morgoth did not come in person, but
only in spirit and as a shadow upon the mind and heart, for the
Gods shut him beyond the Walls of the World. But Sur spake to
Angor the king and Istar his queen, and promised them undying
life and lordship of the Earth. And they believed him and fell
under the shadow, and the greatest part of the people of Numenor
followed them. Angor raised a great temple to Morgoth in the
midst of the land, and Sur dwelt there.
$6. But in the passing of the years Angor felt the oncoming of
old age, and he was troubled; and Sur said that the gifts of
Morgoth were withheld by the Gods, and t hat to obtain plenitude
of power and undying life he must be master of the West.
Wherefore the Numenoreans made a great armament; and their