So, I was hobbit for Halloween, which one remains to be seen, but I was shooting for a Samwise look. The link above explains some of how I view Sam and Frodo’s differing destinies/callings. That entry also has the original versions of the poems I present below. I originally thought “Samwise” was a name that highlighted his wisdom. It does not. Instead it means “half-wise,” as in “semi-wise” or “dim-witted.” So, while keeping my point intact about Sam’s eventually evident wisdom (organic, practical, hard-won) I changed the poems to correct my mistake.
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Shire Folk to Samwise About His Naming
And we all smiled to hear the Gaffer�s son
So named. Should not one born to earth and root
Indeed, have such a name, the �half-wise� one?
Why, then, this reaching for a foreign fruit?
Why should a gard�ner ever tend to more
Than to roots of glorious taters. Thanks be
For those, for simple fruit and flow�rs. Why put store
In more, in your fancies wild and airy?
Dear, simple Samwise you, of all, should know
Strange, wondrous weeds will grow from wand�ring seeds.
Lad, be planted here. Think of only how
To care for Roses. Have no other need
For wizard dreams and mountains cold and Elves,
For old, fool Hobbits who forget themselves.
Gandalf Sets The Record Straight
Dear, Samwise, all now see you are ill named.
True wisdom ever shoots from lowly roots.
Of those who faithful stand and seek no fame
You now belong to taste its well-earned fruits.
Your love of tree and earth, all living things,
Of holy Elves and song, and wizard tales,
Your guileless keeping of the guilty ring,
Your simple wisdom praised in Lorien�s vale,
By Lorien�s glorious Lady and her gifts,
Bring to the Shire its Healing and its Rest.
With Rose and Oak now golden Mallorn lifts
Its leaves to bless, and Elanor, gold-tressed,
Your joy begins. So, Ringbearer, through thee
To Iluvatar may praise and glory be.
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