In Morgoth's dungeons vast and drear.

[Oath-59] HoME-III, “The Lay of Leithian”

When Morgoth in that day of doom

had slain the Trees and filled with gloom

the shining land of Valinor,

there Feanor and his sons then swore

the mighty oath upon the hill

of tower-crowned Tun, that still

wrought wars and sorrow in the world.

[Oath-60] HoME-III, “The Lay of Leithian”

...There their hands

they joined in vows, those kinsmen seven,

swearing beneath the stars of Heaven,

by Varda the Holy that them wrought

and bore them each with radiance fraught

and set them in the deeps to flame.

Timbrenting's holy height they name,

whereon are built the timeless halls

of Manwe Lord of Gods. Who calls

these names in witness may not break

his oath, though earth and heaven shake.

Curufin, Celegorm the fair,

Damrod and Diriel were there,

and Cranthir dark, and Maidros tall

(whom after torment should befall),

and Maglor the mighty who like the sea

with deep voice sings yet mournfully.

“Be he friend or foe, or seed defiled

of Morgoth Bauglir, or mortal child

that in after days on earth shall dwell,

no law, nor love, nor league of hell,

not might of Gods, not moveless fate

shall him defend from wrath and hate

of Feanor's sons, who takes or steals

or finding keeps the Silmarils,

the thrice-enchanted globes of light

that shine until the final night.”

[Oath-62] HoME-III, “The Lay of Leithian”

This Felagund in wonder heard,

and heavily spake at last this word:

“It seems that Thingol doth desire

thy death. The everlasting fire

of those enchanted jewels all know

Is cursed with an oath of endless woe,

and Feanor's sons alone by right

are lords and masters of their light.

He cannot hope within his hoard

to keep this gem, nor is he lord

of all the folk of Elfinesse.”

[Oath-65] HoME-III, “The Lay of Leithian”

...But up there starts

amid the throng, and loudly cries

for hearing, one with flaming eyes,

proud Celegorm with gleaming hair

and shining sword. Then all men stare

upon his stern unyielding face,

and a great hush falls upon that place.

“Be he friend or foe, or demon wild

of Morgoth, Elf, or mortal child,

or any that here on earth may dwell,

no law, nor love, nor league of hell,

no might of Gods, no binding spell,

shall him defend from hatred fell

of Feanor's sons, whoso take or steal

or finding keep a Silmaril.

These we alone do claim by right,

our thrice enchanted jewels bright.”

[Oath-67] HoME-III, “The Lay of Leithian”

That was the time that songs do call

the Siege of Angband, when like a wall

the Gnomish swords did fence the earth

from Morgoth's ruin, a time of birth,

of blossoming, of flowers, of growth;

but still there held the deathless oath,

and still the Silmarils were deep

In Angband's darkly-dolven keep.

[Oath-70] HoME-IV, “The Earliest ≪Silmarillion≫”

Feanor and his sons take the unbreakable oath by Timbrenting and the names of Manwe and

Bridil to pursue anyone, Elf, Mortal, or Orc, who holds the Silmarils.

[Oath-75] HoME-IV, “The Earliest ≪Silmarillion≫”

Morgoth's cunning and lies, and the curse of Swanhaven (as well as the oaths of the sons of

Feanor who swore the unbreakable oath by Timbrenting to treat all as foes who had the Silmarils in

keeping) in these wars do the greatest injury to Men and Elves.

[Oath-80] HoME-IV, “The Quenta”

Then he swore a terrible oath. His seven sons leaped to his side and took the self-same vow

together, each with drawn sword. They swore the unbreakable oath, by the name of Manwe and