"GL3" - читать интересную книгу автора (vol09)

ranged from Eressea in the West to the shores of Middle-earth,
and came even into the inner seas; and they sailed about the
North and the 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 dismay; for men in
the shadows of the world deemed that they were gods or the
sons of gods out of the West. Here and there the Numenoreans
sowed good seed in the waste-lands, and they taught to the wild
men such lore and wisdom as they could comprehend; but for
the most part the men of Middle-earth feared them and fled; for
they were under the sway of Sauron and the lies of Morgoth and
they believed that the gods were terrible and cruel. Wherefore
out of that far time are descended the echoes of legends both
bright and dark; but the shadow lay heavy upon men, for the
Numenoreans came only seldom among them and they tarried
never long in any place. Upon all the waters of the world they
sailed, seeking they knew not what, yet their hearts were set
westward; and they began to hunger for the undying bliss of
Valinor, and ever their desire and unquiet increased as their
power and glory grew.
$4 The gods forbade them to sail beyond the Lonely Isle
and would not permit them to land in Valinor; for the
Numenoreans were mortal, and though the Lords of the West
had rewarded them with long life, they could not take from
them the weariness of the world that cometh at last, and they
died, even their kings of the seed of Earendel, and their span was
brief in the eyes of the Elves. And they began to murmur against
this decree, and a great discontent grew among them. Their
masters of knowledge sought unceasingly for secrets that should
prolong their lives; and they sent spies to seek hidden lore in
Avallon; and the gods were angered.
$5 Now it came to pass [added: in the days of Tar-kalion,

and twelve kings had ruled that land before him,](3) that Sauron,
servant of Morgoth, grew strong in Middle-earth; and he
learned of the power and splendour of the Numenoreans, and of
their allegiance to the gods; and he feared lest they should come
and wrest from him the dominion of the East and rescue the
men of Middle-earth from the Shadow. And the king from his
mariners heard also rumour of Sauron, and it was reported that
he would make himself a king, greater even than the king of
Numenor. Wherefore, taking no counsel of the gods or of the
Elves, Tar-kalion the king sent his messengers to Sauron and
commanded him to come and do homage. And Sauron, being
filled with malice and cunning, humbled himself and came; and
he beguiled the Numenoreans with signs and wonders. Little by
little Sauron turned their hearts towards Morgoth, his master;
and he prophesied to them, and lied, saying that Morgoth
would come again into the world. And Sauron spake to
Tar-kalion, and to Tar-ilien his queen, and promised them life