Truly songs and tales fall utterly short of the reality, O Smaug the Chiefest and greatest of Calamities.

Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.

Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate.

Few there were who could change his courses by counsel. None by force.

What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!' Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.

The washing-up was so dismally real that Bilbo was forced to believe the party of the night before had not been part of his bad dreams, as he had rather hoped.

But he that sows lies in the end shall not lack of a harvest, and soon he may rest from toil indeed, while others reap and sow in his stead.