er
understanding； and increased in unison and harmony。
And it came to pass that Ilúvatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a mighty theme； unfolding to
them things greater and more wonderful than he had yet revealed； and the glory of its beginning and the splendour of its
end amazed the Ainur； so that they bowed before Ilúvatar and were silent。
Then Ilúvatar said to them： 'Of the theme that I have declared to you； I will now that ye make in harmony
together a Great Music。 And since I have kindled you with the Flame Imperishable； ye shall show forth your powers in
adorning this theme； each with his own thoughts and devices； if he will。 But I win sit and hearken； and be glad that
through you great beauty has been wakened into song。'
Then the voices of the Ainur； like unto harps and lutes； and pipes and trumpets； and viols and organs； and like
unto countless choirs singing with words； began to fashion the theme of Ilúvatar to a great music； and a sound arose of
endless interchanging melodies woven in harmony that passed beyond hearing into the depths and into the heights； and
the places of the dwelling of Ilúvatar were filled to overflowing； and the music and the echo of the music went out into
the Void； and it was not void。 Never since have the Ainur made any music like to this music； though it has been said that
a greater still shall be made before Ilúvatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Ilúvatar after the end of days。
Then the themes of Ilúvatar shall be played aright； and take Being in the moment of their utterance； for all shall then
understand fully his intent in their part； and each shall know the prehension of each； and Ilúvatar shall give to their
thoughts the secret fire； being well pleased。
But now Ilúvatar sat and hearkened； and for a great while it seemed good to him； for in the music there were no
flaws。 But as the theme progressed； it came into the heart of Melkor to interweave matters of his own imagining that
were not in accord with the theme of Ilúvatar； for he sought therein to increase the power and glory of the part assigned
to himself。 To Melkor among the Ainur had been given the greatest gifts of power and knowledge； and he had a share in
all the gifts of his brethren。 He had gone often alone into the void places seeking the Imperishable Flame； for desire
grew hot within him to bring into Being things of his own； and it seemed to him that Ilúvatar took no thought for the
Void； and he was impatient of its emptiness。 Yet he found not the Fire； for it is with Ilúvatar。 But being alone he had
begun to conceive thoughts of his own unlike those of his brethren。
Some of these thoughts he now wove into his music； and straightway discord arose about him； and many that
sang nigh him grew despondent； and their thought was disturbed and their music faltered； but some began to attune their
music to his rather than to the thought which they had at first。 Then the discord of Melkor spread ever wider； and the
melodies which had been heard before foundered in a sea of turbulent sound。 But Ilúvatar sat and hearkened until it
seemed that about his throne there was a raging storm； as of dark waters that made war one upon another in an endless
wrath that would not be assuaged。
Then Ilúvatar arose； and the Ainur perceived that he smiled； and he lifted up his left hand； and a new theme began
amid the storm； like and yet unlike to the former theme； and it gathered power and had new beauty。 But the discord of
Melkor rose in uproar and contended with it； and again there was a war of sound more violent than before； until many of
the Ainur were dismayed and sang no longer； and Melkor had the mastery。 Then again Ilúvatar arose； and the Ainur
perceived that his countenance was stern； and he lifted up his right hand； and behold！ a third theme grew amid the
confusion； and it was unlike the others。 For it seemed at first soft and sweet； a mere rippling of gentle sounds in delicate
melodies； but it could not be quenched； and it took to itself power and profundity。 And it seemed at last that there were
two musics progressing at one time before the seat of Ilúvatar； and they were utterly at variance。 The one was deep and
wide and beautiful； but slow and blended with an immeasurable sorrow； from which its beauty chiefly came。 The other
had now achieved a unity of its own； but it was loud； and vain； and endlessly repeated； and it had little harmony； but
rather a clamorous unison as of many trumpets braying upon a few notes。 And it essayed to drown the other music by the
violence of its voice； but it seemed that its most triumphant notes were taken by the other and woven into its own solemn
pattern。
In the midst of this strife； whereat the halls of Ilúvatar shook and a tremor ran out into the silences yet unmoved；
Ilúvatar arose a third time； and his face was terrible to behold。 Then he raised up both his hands； and in one chord；
deeper than the Abyss； higher than the Firmament； piercing as the light of the eye of Ilúvatar； the Music ceased。
Then Ilúvatar spoke； and he said： 'Mighty are the Ainur； and mightiest among them is Melkor； but that he may
know； and all the Ainur； that I am Ilúvatar； those things that ye have sung； I will show them forth； that ye may see what
ye have done。 And thou； Melkor； shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me； nor can
any alter the music in my despite。 For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things
more wonderful； which he himself hath not imagined。'
Then the Ainur were afraid； and they did not yet prehend the words that were said to them； and Melkor was
filled with shame； of which came secret anger。 But Ilúvatar arose in splendour； and he went forth from the fair regions
that he had made for the Ainur； and the Ainur followed him。
But when they were e into the Void； Ilúvatar said to them： 'Behold your Music！' And he showed to them a
vision； giving to them sight where before was only hearing； arid they saw a new World made visible before them； and it
was globed amid the Void； and it was sustained therein； but was not of it。 And as they looked and wondered this World
began to unfold its history； and it seemed to them that it lived and grew。 And when the Ainur had gazed for a while and
were silent； Ilúvatar said again： 'Behold your Music！ This is your minstrelsy； and each of you shall find contained herein；
amid the design that I set before you； all those things which it may seem that he himself devised or added。 And thou；
Melkor； wilt discover all the secret thoughts of thy mind； and wilt perceive that they are but a part of the whole and
tributary to its glory。'
And many other things Ilúvatar spoke to the Ainur at that time； and because of their memory of his words； and the
knowledge that each has of the music that he himself made； the Ainur know much of what was； and is； and is to e；
and few things are unseen by them。 Yet some things there are that they cannot see； neither alone nor taking counsel