eight

Talk

lfsaldenbirch , ,

Our final word for the paragraph 08.016, unless I can talk myself into doing “about” for next time. Apparently this happens only sixty three times, about ten percent of the number of uses of “say”.

• 1.037 Balin and Dwalin were talking at the table like old friends
• 1.043 and talked about mines
• 1.060 and talked
• 1.060 and talked,
• 1.063 and stayed talking to Gandalf –
• 1.095 It is all very well for Gandalf to talk about this hobbit being fierce,
• 1.097 what you are talking about,
• 1.098 I was talking about you.
• 1.120 and haven’t we been talking about all this for hours?’
• 1.140 I think we have talked long enough for one night,
• 2.029 the others were too grumpy to talk.
• 2.032 talked most,
• 2.065 till he talks!”
• 2.094 He thought Tom was talking.
• 2.095 “Don’t talk to yerself!” said Tom.
• 3.023 talking merrily with them.
• 4.002 and they did not dare to sing or talk too loud,
• 4.013 They talked
• 4.013 and talked,
• 5.054 talking of fish,
• 5.063 He was talking to himself,
• 5.083 What was Gollum talking about?
• 5.112 and began to talk.
• 5.118 Then let’s stop talking, precious,
• 6.004 In one of these dells under the bushes people were talking.
• 6.020 because I heard him talking to himself.
• 6.023 when he talked about dodging guards,
• 6.060 and as if all their talk was about cruel
• 6.063 This was dreadful talk to listen to,
• 6.094 As Bilbo listened to the talk of Gandalf
• 7.019 when they heard the wizard talking like this to Bilbo.
• 7.023 and talk to him.
• 7.092 like animal noises turned into talk.
• 7.132 they began to talk
• 7.152 you had better get off without any more talk!’
• 8.016 Mr. Baggins is talking about.’
• 8.049 In fact if you can’t talk about something else,
• 8.062 I shall send Mr. Baggins alone first to talk to them.
• 8.081 They were talking about the dwarves!
• 8.126 Long after the others had stopped talking
• 9.013 to overhear some of the guards talking
• 9.014 and had a long whispered talk
• 9.019 listening to the talk of the king’s servants,
• 9.026 The butler went on talking
• 9.039 and talking into the cellars
• 10.003 As he listened to the talk of the raftmen
• 10.003 The talk was all of the trade that came
• 12.019 and talking delightedly of the recovery of their treasure,
• 12.058 This of course is the way to talk to dragons,
• 12.058 No dragon can resist the fascination of riddling talk
• 12.062 Don’t talk to me!’
• 12.089 in talking to a dragon,
• 12.090 All the while they talked the thrush listened,
• 12.090 And all the while they talked
• 12.094 and went on talking.
• 12.095 The talk turned to the dragon’s wicked words
• 12.096 From that the talk turned
• 12.098 All through their talk
• 13.071 In all their talk they came perpetually back to one thing:
• 14.028 And in the very midst of their talk
• 14.038 he found talk running like fire among the people
• 15.043 and the talk:
• 19.043 They fell to talking of their times together,

Boat

lfsaldenbirch , ,

It’s a common word, but an object to be regarded “with deep misgivings” – and found to have a beautifully uneven distribution. It appears, of course, in chapters where beings and waters interact (5, 8, 9, 10, and 14). Please find the derivatives “Boatmen” and “Boatload” already in the Concordance.

• 5.012 He had a little boat,
• 5.014 Gollum got into his boat
• 5.050 beginning to climb out of his boat
• 5.052 so that Gollum had to get back into his boat
• 5.056 Gollum began to get out of his boat.
• 5.058 This time he did not go back to the boat.
• 5.089 and flapped back to his boat,
• 5.103 in his boat again,
• 5.105 and the splash as Gollum leapt from his boat.
• 8.009 There is a boat against the far bank!
• 8.014 The boat is sure to be tied up,
• 8.016 and see if you can see the boat
• 8.018 and you would have dropped it on to the boat.
• 8.020 It is lying on the boat;
• 8.021 and with a piece of stick fended off the little black boat
• 8.021 in time to seize the boat
• 8.024 That’s as many as the boat will hold at a time.
• 8.027 How are you going to push the boat
• 8.028 and you can draw the boat back.’
• 8.029 in case any hidden guardian of the boat appeared.
• 8.030 thrusting the boat away from the bank,
• 8.030 while the boat span slowly off
• 8.032 and lamenting the loss of the boat
• 9.019 sometimes they were loaded on to flat boats.
• 10.007 and there had been fleets of boats on the waters,
• 10.009 boats rowed out from the piles of the town,
• 10.037 boats
• 10.045 three large boats left Lake-town,
• 14.016 into laden boats
• 14.016 The Master himself was turning to his great gilded boat,
• 14.017 They could all get into boats for all he cared.
• 14.025 Then the many boats could be seen
• 14.025 and most of their boats
• 14.042 He had not boats or rafts enough for his host,

Tolkien, J.R.R.. The Lord of the Rings: One Volume (p. 7). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

Habit

lfsaldenbirch , ,

This morning’s poetry sent me on a word-meander, so we are breaking up our study of paragraph 08.016 with today’s word – it refers to an action as well as a mode of dress.

• 1.116 unless he has changed his habits.’
• 10.034 to which habit he owed his position.

originally Holding, having, ‘havour’; hence the way in which one holds or has oneself, i.e. the mode or condition in which one is, exists, or exhibits oneself, a) externally; hence demeanour, outward appearance, fashion of body, mode of clothing oneself, dress, habitation; b) in mind, character, or life; hence, mental constitution, character, disposition, way of acting, comporting oneself, or dealing with things, habitual or customary way (of acting, etc.), personal custom, accustomedness. 

“habit, n.” OED Online, Oxford University Press, June 2019, http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/82978. Accessed 4 August 2019.

Sight

lfsaldenbirch , , ,

I used sight, sights, sight’s, sights’ see, sees, seeing, saw, and seen for this one.

• 1.003 you will see whether he gained anything
• 1.007 All that the unsuspecting Bilbo saw that morning
• 1.012 I can’t think what anybody sees
• 1.015 Let me see,
• 1.026 when he saw that it was not Gandalf at all.
• 1.032 I see they have begun to arrive already,’
• 1.032 he said when he caught sight of Dwalin’s green hood hanging up.
• 1.042 I see,’ said Kili.
• 1.045 we saw them coming along
• 1.068 in the middle of the kitchen trying to see what they were doing.
• 1.083 and see the great mountains,
• 1.092 the poor little hobbit could be seen kneeling on the hearth-rug,
• 1.094 If you have ever seen a dragon
• 1.097 As soon as I saw your funny faces on the door-step,
• 1.103 I don’t see that this will help us much,’
• 1.105 You see that rune on the West side,
• 1.111 we don’t know without going to see.
• 1.123 we saw the dragon settle
• 1.125 I see now they must have had a private Side-door
• 1.128 and has never been seen by you since-‘
• 1.140 if you see what I mean.
• 2.001 There he saw nobody,
• 2.036 they could now see a light shining,
• 2.037 and see,
• 2.039 but there was no proper path to be seen,
• 2.042 And this is what he saw.
• 2.043 could see that:
• 2.048 He had read of a good many things he had never seen or done.
• 2.063 if you see what I mean.
• 2.072 No sooner did Tom see Balin come into the light
• 2.072 Trolls simply detest the very sight
• 2.077 and didn’t need to see his friends’ legs
• 2.081 But no one saw him.
• 2.126 Looking behind I saw a fire
• 3.001 they saw that the great mountains had marched
• 3.002 He had never seen a thing
• 3.008 for they saw now that the house might be hidden
• 3.008 and they looked down surprised to see trees below them
• 3.011 They saw a valley far below.
• 3.025 although he had never seen them before.
• 3.033 as you will see,
• 3.042 but you cannot see them,” said Elrond,
• 3.042 They can only be seen when the moon shines behind them,
• 3.048 “That remains to be seen,” said Gandalf.
• 3.049 “None to be seen by this moon,” said Elrond,
• 3.049 to see the elves dance
• 4.005 Bilbo had never seen or imagined
• 4.005 he saw that across the valley the stone-giants were out,
• 4.008 (when everybody could see that it was absolutely no use sending Bilbo)
• 4.015 in time to see the last of the ponies’ tails
• 4.017 in the heart of the mountains can see through.
• 4.024 I am afraid that was the last they ever saw
• 4.034 and never let them see the light again!”
• 4.036 for even their eyes to see through.
• 4.037 Bilbo saw it go right through the Great Goblin
• 4.042 “Let me see:
• 4.044 The blink of red torches could be seen
• 4.05 Nor did they see them.
• 4.05 But they were seen by the goblins that ran silently up behind,
• 5.001 see nothing,
• 5.003 out of sight
• 5.011 and bigger from trying to see
• 5.013 Bilbo could not see him,
• 5.013 for he could see that he was no goblin at all.
• 5.016 and he suddenly saw the pale eyes sticking out at him.
• 5.026 What has roots as nobody sees,
• 5.035 Saw an eye in a green face.
• 5.038 It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,
• 5.056 Bilbo could see his eyes coming towards him.
• 5.065 Bilbo seeing what had happened
• 5.078 He could see the sword
• 5.086 only in the full sunlight could you be seen,
• 5.087 No one would see him,
• 5.088 It won’t see us,
• 5.088 No. It won’t see us,
• 5.101 to his alarm Bilbo now saw two small points of light peering at him.
• 5.104 but he saw that all was up,
• 5.106 and saw Gollum’s eyes like small green lamps
• 5.108 Gollum could see
• 5.108 Bilbo could see the light of his eyes palely shining
• 5.110 as Bilbo could see from the faint glimmer on the walls.
• 5.117 and then no one will see him.
• 5.117 He’ll be there but not seen.
• 5.118 and see.
• 5.125 and see.’
• 5.127 He could not see the hobbit,
• 5.127 Bilbo could see or feel that he was tense as a bowstring,
• 5.130 He did not turn to see what Gollum was doing.
• 5.134 he saw, filtering round another corner –
• 5.136 and then suddenly he saw the goblins:
• 5.137 They saw him sooner than he saw them.
• 5.137 They saw him sooner than he saw them.
• 5.137 Yes they saw him.
• 5.138 They could not see a sign of him.
• 5.146 He could see outside into the open air:
• 6.001 and could see before him only ridges
• 6.005 and suddenly he saw peering between two big boulders
• 6.005 and he saw that Balin was looking
• 6.012 and we saw the goblins running back yelping.
• 6.027 I must see if I can’t find
• 6.045 they could still see the evening lights on the plains beyond.
• 6.046 when it was so dark that he could only just see
• 6.048 although there was nothing wrong to see.
• 6.050 and do not need to see you to catch you!
• 6.052 if you had seen the dwarves sitting up
• 6.052 but you could see his eyes gleaming
• 6.065 The rage of the wolves was terrible to see,
• 6.067 and can see small things
• 6.067 and could see a rabbit moving on the ground
• 6.067 So though he could not see the people
• 6.067 and see the tiny flashes of fire,
• 6.067 Also he could see the glint of the moon
• 6.072 and through the reek he could see the goblins
• 6.086 and saw the dark lands opening wide underneath him,
• 6.094 So you see ‘prisoners’ had meant
• 6.099 Later on you might have seen a bright fire
• 7.002 and saw that the birds were already high up
• 7.005 the eagles must have seen the point they were making for,
• 7.009 Bilbo never saw them again –
• 7.011 I always meant to see you all safe
• 7.013 We shall see,
• 7.013 we shall see!’
• 7.023 I once saw him sitting all alone
• 7.025 Bilbo had never seen anything like them.
• 7.029 through which you could neither see nor scramble.
• 7.030 you will see the way I go –
• 7.031 beyond which they could see gardens
• 7.040 I used to see him now
• 7.046 as he had never seen half of them before.
• 7.048 I can only see one,
• 7.052 I see!’ said Beorn.
• 7.061 You see,
• 7.081 Well, of course you haven’t seen
• 7.082 You see,
• 7.084 to see that his tale was making a good impression,
• 7.088 Mr. Baggins saw then how clever Gandalf had been.
• 7.093 and the hall had not seen such a gathering for many a year.
• 7.113 But he saw no sign of the wizard all that day until the evening.
• 7.113 Of Beorn they had seen
• 7.117 I soon saw that Beorn could not have made them all:
• 7.121 Not eaten up by Wargs or goblins or wicked bears yet I see’ ;
• 7.123 to see that you were safe,
• 7.125 Come and see!’ said Beorn,
• 7.133 and all the while they saw nothing save grass
• 7.133 Sometimes Bilbo saw the horns of the harts
• 7.133 As the light faded Bilbo thought he saw
• 7.134 As soon as it was light they could see the forest coming as it were to meet them,
• 7.134 not even rabbits were to be seen.
• 7.136 if you have not seen each night after dark a great bear going along with us
• 7.147 will ever see you again.’
• 7.151 and see the Long Marshes lying below you,
• 7.154 and was soon lost to sight.
• 8.002 they could see a little way to either side
• 8.003 As Bilbo’s sharp inquisitive eyes got used to seeing things
• 8.003 but what made the noises he could not see.
• 8.003 The nastiest things they saw were the cobwebs:
• 8.004 long after they were sick for a sight of the sun
• 8.005 so black that you really could see nothing.
• 8.005 but he could not see it at all.
• 8.005 Well, perhaps it is not true to say that they could see nothing:
• 8.005 they could see eyes.
• 8.005 and when it was Bilbo’s turn he would see gleams
• 8.008 and in all the time they had seen neither spring nor stream.
• 8.012 but my eyes don’t see as well as they used a hundred years ago.
• 8.016 and still has the best sight,’
• 8.016 and see if you can see the boat
• 8.016 and see if you can see the boat
• 8.028 they saw that it must have stuck
• 8.031 They could still see his hood
• 8.032 though they saw no sign of it.
• 8.035 and in the forest they could see no change.
• 8.036 Nothing wholesome could they see growing
• 8.037 and in places they could see
• 8.04 and see if he can get his head above the roof
• 8.042 he saw all round him a sea of dark green,
• 8.042 without any markings to be seen.
• 8.043 he could see no end to the trees
• 8.043 that had been lightened by the sight of the sun
• 8.044 and if Bilbo had had the sense to see it,
• 8.044 and he could not expect to see how far the forest lasted.
• 8.044 Still he did not see this,
• 8.044 and he could not see anything
• 8.053 I thought I saw a twinkle of light
• 8.054 they saw a red twinkle
• 8.058 but most splendid sight of all:
• 8.071 The feast that they now saw was greater
• 8.073 while people he could not see or feel
• 8.075 He could only see the thing’s eyes,
• 8.080 as you will see.
• 8.08 That is why the spiders neither saw nor heard him coming.
• 8.081 he saw that it was made by spider-webs
• 8.081 Suddenly he saw,
• 8.087 I saw one a-struggling just now.
• 8.088 to see a dwarvish foot sticking out
• 8.092 Bilbo saw that the moment had come
• 8.092 but looking about he saw that
• 8.092 got out of his way as quick as lightning if they saw him stoop;
• 8.093 They could not see Bilbo,
• 8.096 Old fat spider can’t see me!
• 8.103 The spiders saw the sword,
• 8.104 to see which was the juiciest to eat.
• 8.106 at the sight of him jerking his stiff arms
• 8.107 (long noses are sometimes useful you see)
• 8.11 Now we see you,
• 8.113 For he saw spiders swarming up all the neighbouring trees,
• 8.117 where we last saw the elf-fires.’
• 8.124 Whether it was one of those they had seen the night before,
• 8.125 From which you can see that they had changed their opinion of Mr. Baggins very much,
• 8.125 for they saw that he had some wits,
• 9.003 for even Bilbo with the use of his eyes could not see where they were going,
• 9.016 you see.
• 9.024 and see if it is fit for the king’s table.
• 9.025 for he saw that luck was with him
• 9.032 Bilbo saw that the time had come
• 9.035 and the butler could be seen
• 9.040 I haven’t seen him at the tables tonight.
• 9.051 Most likely you saw it some time ago
• 9.056 Then he saw that it would have been no good
• 9.061 He could see the paler sky between them.
• 9.062 that he could see near the water’s edge.
• 9.069 but whether alive or dead still remains to be seen.
• 10.001 Then Bilbo saw a sight:
• 10.001 Then Bilbo saw a sight:
• 10.002 and the tumbled land that joined it to them could not be seen.
• 10.002 and through many adventures to see it,
• 10.003 ever to have seen it at all,
• 10.004 So you see Bilbo had come
• 10.006 could not be seen at all.
• 10.007 The rotting piles of a greater town could still be seen
• 10.009 came in sight
• 10.010 if they could have seen what happened down by the shore,
• 10.012 Thorin of course saw the sense of this,
• 10.018 that they had seen him flying
• 10.020 I wish to see the Master of your town!’
• 10.036 As for the Master he saw there was nothing else for it
• 10.041 We’ll see!
• 10.041 as we shall see
• 10.044 and see how he welcomes them!’
• 11.001 and now they could all see the Lonely Mountain
• 11.006 they could see
• 11.008 and see the dark cavernous opening
• 11.014 Looking down they saw that they were at the top of the cliff
• 11.014 could not be seen from below
• 11.014 but without a joint or crevice to be seen.
• 11.018 “as you will see.
[11.019]”
• 11.019 they saw clearly,
• 11.027 I don’t think I could bear to see the unhappy valley of Dale again,
• 11.029 he could see a glimpse of the distant forest.
• 11.029 Soon he saw the orange ball of the sun
• 11.038 in which nothing could be seen
• 12.008 and stopped where he could still see
• 12.010 Is that a kind of a glow I seem to see coming
• 12.012 before he ever saw the vast danger that lay
• 12.014 so that the hobbit could see his underparts
• 12.014 could dimly be seen coats of mail, helms and axes, swords and spears hanging;
• 12.018 Balin was overjoyed to see the hobbit again,
• 12.021 the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk
• 12.030 Nothing can escape Smaug once he sees it.
• 12.040 and see what he is up to.
• 12.042 There was only the very faintest glow to be seen.
• 12.043 He can’t see me
• 12.046 and see if you were truly as great as tales say.
• 12.078 After he had seen that
• 12.091 and I don’t see the point of sitting here.
• 12.102 and see nothing,
• 12.103 They shall see me
• 13.018 They saw the little dark shape of the hobbit
• 13.018 Then they saw him halt
• 13.022 and the spark of his torch vanished from the sight
• 13.022 But soon they saw it far away
• 13.023 And still there was no sight nor sound of Smaug.
• 13.031 as soon as he saw the twinkle of their lights.
• 13.044 A white glimmer could be seen
• 13.050 And I never expected to be so pleased to see the sun again,
• 13.062 but I see no sign of food.
• 13.065 and saw the wintry sun going downwards to the West.
• 13.067 and can see much without being seen.’
• 13.067 and can see much without being seen.’
• 13.068 if we have been seen coming here,’
• 13.068 as if he expected to see Smaug perched there
• 14.002 Only its high peak could they see
• 14.004 Last night the watchmen saw them start
• 14.011 they could see him as a spark of fire
• 14.013 No fireworks you ever imagined equalled the sights that night.
• 14.025 Then the many boats could be seen
• 14.034 As you see,
• 14.043 There for ages his huge bones could be seen
• 15.001 they had not heard or seen any sign of danger.
• 15.012 and see what happens!’
• 15.017 saw him die,
• 15.017 He saw him fall
• 15.020 We would see peace once more
• 15.026 you will see that the dwarves still had some days before them.
• 15.028 through which they could see
• 15.031 when they saw a company approaching.
• 15.031 Before long they could see that both men of the lake armed
• 15.031 and very great was their surprise to see the pool before them
• 15.044 was seen crossing the river,
• 16.022 I know your king well by sight,
• 16.022 and it is Bard I particularly want to see.’
• 16.029 I see your point of view.
• 16.031 I see I have some information you have not got.
• 16.035 You may see it!’
• 16.040 But I wonder if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so.
• 17.001 Soon a single runner was seen
• 17.003 were seen to be borne forth again.
• 17.003 the dwarves saw
• 17.029 and see if you have brought from the hoard the portion
• 17.032 Before long the dwarves could be seen
• 17.040 another blackness could be seen whirling forward;
• 17.040 so dense that no light could be seen between their wings.
• 17.048 Soon they could see the lands
• 17.049 and vanished from sight,
• 17.062 Seeing the sudden gleam
• 17.062 he had seen a sight that made his heart leap,
• 17.062 he had seen a sight that made his heart leap,
• 17.065 If the elves could not see him they could hear him.
• 17.065 though as yet nothing could be seen
• 18.003 Looking into the valley he could see no living goblins.
• 18.003 he thought he could see elves moving
• 18.014 When Gandalf saw Bilbo,
• 18.014 I began to wonder if even your luck would see you through!
• 18.028 I should have liked to see them again,’
• 18.028 perhaps I shall see them on the way home.
• 18.053 and looking backward they saw a white sun
• 19.028 in sight
• 19.028 he could see his own Hill
• 19.032 Eyes that fire and sword have seen
• 19.036 to see if their own furniture would fit.

Good, Better, Best

lfsaldenbirch , , ,

As Mother used to say, “Never let it rest ’til all the good is better and all the better best.”

• 01.002 The best rooms were all on the left-hand side (going in),
• 01.008 Good Morning!’ said Bilbo,
• 01.009 Do you wish me a good morning,
• 01.009 or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not;
• 01.009 or that you feel good this morning;
• 01.009 “or that it is a morning to be good on?’
• 01.013 Good morning!’ he said at last.
• 01.014 you do use Good morning for!’
• 01.014 and that it won’t be good till I move off.’
• 01.017 Gandalf, Gandalf! Good gracious me!
• 01.020 very good for you –
• 01.021 Good morning!
• 01.021 Good bye!’
• 01.022 would do him good after his fright.
• 01.035 A little beer would suit me better,
• 01.035 my good sir,’
• 01.051 the best detachable party hoods –
• 01.057 there’s a good fellow!’ Gandalf called after him,
• 01.093 but he is one of the best,
• 01.093 one of the best –
• 01.097 that you think I am no good.
• 01.098 Burglar wants a good job,
• 01.099 For very good reasons.
• 01.114 This news alters them much for the better.
• 01.117 That would be no good,’
• 01.121 and doing his best to appear wise
• 01.122 and in addition I believe they found a good deal of gold
• 01.122 Altogether those were good days for us,
• 01.123 Indeed they hardly know a good bit of work from a bad,
• 01.123 though they usually have a good notion of the current market value;
• 01.123 from a good way off
• 01.124 as best we could up
• 01.124 when I will allow we have a good bit laid by
• 01.140 I will give you a good breakfast before you go.’
• 01.143 in the best bedroom next to him:
• 02.025 and a good many other things,
• 02.028 with good roads,
• 02.028 Mostly it had been as good as May can be,
• 02.034 who were specially good at it.
• 02.037 and anything was better than little supper,
• 02.039 (and a good deal of grumbling
• 02.043 Also there was a barrel of good drink at hand,
• 02.047 a bit of good quick burgling.
• 02.048 He had read of a good many things he had never seen or done.
• 02.063 I am a good cook myself,
• 02.063 and cook better than I cook,
• 02.074 “and we’d best get out of the light.”
• 02.079 Bilbo did his best.
• 02.082 “No good roasting ’em now,
• 02.087 “No good boiling ’em!
• 02.094 “Better sit on the last fellow first,” said Bert,
• 02.112 “Would this be any good?” asked Bilbo,
• 02.113 but there was a good deal of food
• 02.114 but it was as good as a short sword for the hobbit.
• 02.115 “These look like good blades,”
• 03.024 but you had best get on foot,
• 03.026 till they were brought to a good path
• 03.029 “Hush, hush! Good People!
• 03.029 and good night!”
• 03.029 Good night!”
• 03.031 but things that are good to have
• 03.031 and days that are good to spend
• 03.031 may make a good tale,
• 03.031 in that good house,
• 03.033 and thinking best,
• 03.034 Their plans were improved with the best advice.
• 03.050 and good speed,
• 04.003 Even the good plans of wise wizards like Gandalf
• 04.003 and of good friends like Elrond go astray sometimes
• 04.007 “Well, if you know of anywhere better,
• 04.008 and Kili to look for a better shelter.
• 04.012 and Kili’s news seemed good enough.
• 04.012 it was good to hear the wind
• 04.014 It turned out a good thing that night
• 04.016 Bilbo’s yell had done that much good.
• 04.028 “Up to no good, I’ll warrant!
• 04.030 Not that it will do you much good, Thorin Oakenshield,
• 04.040 as best he could with his tied hands,
• 04.042 and then again it might be a good deal better.
• 04.042 and then again it might be a good deal better.
• 04.044 and these goblins knew the way better
• 05.002 and crawled along for a good way,
• 05.007 No good at all!
• 05.012 Goblin he thought good,
• 05.022 whether he was good to eat,
• 05.047 But he could not remember anything better at the moment,
• 05.049 I gave you a good long chance just now.’
• 05.065 and having nothing better to ask stuck to his question,
• 05.094 could hardly be something good.
• 05.108 It was no good crawling back
• 05.113 It’s no good going back there to search, no.
• 06.002 Good heavens!’ he exclaimed.
• 06.009 to get out of the mess as best you can yourselves.
• 06.012 Good heavens!
• 06.028 and worked up the best magic he could
• 06.032 After all they had lost a good deal,
• 06.032 so they might be said to have had the best of it so far.
• 06.039 but it was not much good.
• 06.049 and a good deal nearer to them;
• 06.052 Gandalf, who was a good deal taller than the others,
• 06.070 A very good thing too!
• 06.086 At the best of times heights made Bilbo giddy.
• 06.099 he was not much good at skinning rabbits
• 06.100 better than bits of meat toasted on sticks.
• 07.004 but he thought it better to say nothing at all,
• 07.005 After a good while
• 07.011 and now by good management
• 07.011 and good luck I have done it.
• 07.011 Indeed we are now a good deal further east
• 07.012 and it is no good waiting for him.
• 07.019 Hadn’t you better explain it all a bit clearer?’ –
• 07.022 Good gracious heavens,
• 07.027 a good deal,
• 07.030 You had better wait here,’
• 07.030 he had better come alone
• 07.039 a hobbit of good family
• 07.039 but perhaps you have heard of my good cousin Radagast
• 07.044 Then you had better come inside
• 07.069 but they did their best to be frightfully polite,
• 07.074 Good!’ growled Beorn.
• 07.074 It is some good being a wizard,
• 07.084 to see that his tale was making a good impression,
• 07.084 I did the best I could.
• 07.085 Good heavens!’
• 07.088 and they lived a good way away;
• 07.090 A very good tale!’
• 07.090 The best I have heard for a long while.
• 07.090 If all beggars could tell such a good one,
• 07.119 You had better go to bed,
• 07.122 in a splendidly good humour
• 07.123 It was a good story,
• 07.123 but I like it still better now I am sure it is true.
• 07.123 as well as your brother or better.
• 07.126 and twice-baked cakes that would keep good a long time,
• 07.126 and they were good to eat,
• 07.129 through his gate at a good pace.
• 07.136 and you had better keep your promises anyway,
• 07.151 hope for the best,
• 07.152 you had better get off without any more talk!’
• 07.153 Be good,
• 08.012 Still twelve yards is as good as a mile.
• 08.014 What’s the good of that?
• 08.016 and still has the best sight,’
• 08.022 That was a good pull,
• 08.022 and a good job that our rope was the stronger.’
• 08.036 which they had to carry along with them as best they could,
• 08.041 and up he had to go as best he could.
• 08.043 It was no good.
• 08.049 you had better be silent.
• 08.054 but a good way off their track.
• 08.056 A feast would be no good,
• 08.057 all the good things that were being eaten,
• 08.058 After a good deal of creeping
• 08.063 It was no good.
• 08.067 Good heavens!
• 08.067 Dream-dinners aren’t any good,
• 08.068 They are the best I am likely to get
• 08.074 that it was no good trying to do anything
• 08.080 as good a guess as he could
• 08.080 (he was born with a good share of it)
• 08.082 but I’ll wager there is good juice inside.’
• 08.093 but they could make a good guess at the direction
• 08.098 Not very good perhaps,
• 08.105 a good way below.
• 08.107 and then he did his best to help the hobbit,
• 08.107 None of them were better off than Fili,
• 08.119 better than the rest,
• 08.120 and they could not go much better than a hobble
• 08.124 But it seemed that some good magic lingered
• 08.127 Good old Bilbo –
• 08.131 but loved best the stars;
• 08.131 and that is Good People.
• 09.011 he did no good.
• 09.017 but it was not much good among fourteen.
• 09.018 for a good deal of traffic went out
• 09.024 Very good,’
• 09.028 there’s a good fellow!’
• 09.034 and think of a better plan –
• 09.035 and it was no good grumbling
• 09.038 though Bilbo did his best
• 09.048 and his best wine
• 09.056 Then he saw that it would have been no good
• 09.059 and lay on the top spread out to keep the balance as best he could.
• 09.059 The breeze was cold but better than the water,
• 09.060 and the barrel was a good big one
• 09.064 and for a mercy he did not sneeze again for a good while.
• 10.004 in the end by the only road that was any good.
• 10.011 that he had had at least one good meal
• 10.011 you had better slap your arms
• 10.013 and it was no good asking them to help.
• 10.031 that could not give any good account of themselves,
• 10.039 the dwarves’ good feeling towards the little hobbit
• 11.009 We can do no good here!
• 11.016 but each of them took a good coil of rope
• 11.019 was no good against the magic
• 11.027 and ‘Good Gracious!’
• 12.002 who has proved himself a good companion on our long road,
• 12.002 and if I may say so possessed of good luck
• 12.003 though he went on a good deal longer than this.
• 12.006 but they would all have done their best
• 12.008 After a while Balin bade Bilbo ‘Good luck!’
• 12.023 It’s no good here.’
• 12.033 and that it was no good giving up their quest yet.
• 12.035 I made the best beginning I could.
• 12.037 but I will do my best to think about it.
• 12.057 That’s better!’
• 12.06 I will give you one piece of advice for your good:
• 12.062 no one better.
• 12.079 but his mistake at the end shook him into better sense.
• 12.081 In the meanwhile his friends did their best to cheer him up;
• 12.084 The thrushes are good
• 12.091 and if we are smashed with it the better he will like it.’
• 12.103 in this way he felt better
• 13.005 And I think this time you had better all come with me.’
• 13.039 I would give a good many of these precious goblets,’
• 13.04 but what good has any armour ever been
• 13.059 I would give a good breakfast to know.
• 13.064 keeps good indefinitely,
• 14.027 He may have a good head for business –
• 14.027 but he is no good when anything serious happens!’
• 14.041 He would have done better to have remained my guest.
• 14.041 that blows no one any good.’
• 14.042 for he was the lord of a good
• 14.042 Their welcome was good,
• 15.014 and some you will not think so good.
• 15.022 I will not say if this counsel be good or bad,’
• 15.027 Better still,
• 15.028 but cram is much better than nothing –
• 16.005 I do not call this counsel good.
• 16.011 I would give a good deal for the feel of grass at my toes.’
• 16.012 I would give a good deal for the feel
• 16.012 and for a soft bed after a good supper!’
• 16.014 You are a good fellow,
• 16.024 my good elves.
• 16.026 in his best business manner,
• 16.031 a good many of them have had experience
• 16.045 All in good time!’ said Gandalf.
• 16.045 Good night!’
• 17.028 and is too good for you.
• 17.036 Dwarf-mail may be good,
• 18.017 Farewell, good thief,’
• 18.019 in you of good than you know,
• 18.031 May it bring good fortune to all his folk that dwell here after!’
• 18.036 I am sure it is better
• 18.039 and good luck,
• 18.045 in my halls the better shall I be pleased!’
• 19.006 and good magic;
• 19.017 A second good night,
• 19.025 You had better take this, Gandalf.
• 19.037 The people who had got specially good bargains

Still

lfsaldenbirch , ,

I am moving through paragraph 08.016, and here’s a common word used 185 times in the work. It has meanings to do with distillery (not used in The Hobbit); to do with lack of commotion (as in still water or the still, small voice) and with this meaning can be adjective, adverb, or noun; and from lack of commotion we get to the exclusively adverbial meaning.

So, OED, bless it, tells me that this meaning is obsolete and poetic:

With reference to action or condition: Without change, interruption, or cessation; continually, constantly; on every occasion, invariably; always. Obsolete exc. poetic.

But tells me that meaning 4 is different from that obsolete one:

4. Indicating the continuance of a previous action or condition.

Very well. I bow to the magisters of hair-splitting.

• 01.004 but certainly there was still something
• 01.005 Still it is probable that Bilbo,
• 01.006 and the hobbits were still numerous
• 01.017 but I had no idea you were still
• 01.023 was still standing outside the door,
• 01.068 Bilbo stood still
• 01.071 and still they played on,
• 01.072 and still they played on.
• 01.119 but so far still Tookishly determined to go on with things.
• 01.124 we still mean to get it back,
• 01.143 he could hear Thorin still humming to himself
• 02.027 but still he began to feel that adventures were not so bad after all.
• 02.030 Still the dwarves jogged on,
• 02.116 also one barrel of ale which was still full.
• 03.032 there were still some people
• 03.037 I have heard that there are still forgotten treasures of old
• 03.047 We still call it Durin’s Day
• 04.002 they were still going up
• 04.004 More terrible still are thunder
• 04.012 and the thunder still growling,
• 04.012 Still it was not very far to go,
• 04.044 Still goblins go faster than dwarves,
• 04.048 The ones behind yelled still more,
• 05.004 Still at the moment he felt very crushed.
• 05.008 still they are more used to tunnelling than we are,
• 05.009 All he knew was that it was still going down pretty steadily
• 05.009 and still he heard no sound of anything
• 05.011 Still he did not dare to wade out into the darkness.
• 05.011 and the original owners are still there
• 05.030 Then they stand still.
• 05.034 who was still thinking uncomfortably about eating.
• 05.041 and still he did not answer;
• 05.060 still he could not think of anything.
• 05.073 but still he did not dare to waste his last guess.
• 05.078 He sat still,
• 05.087 when such rings were still at large
• 05.087 And still sometimes he put it on,
• 05.087 He still had a bone or two left to gnaw,
• 05.089 Still he waited a while;
• 05.110 who was still going quickly,
• 05.119 still cautiously,
• 05.119 Still there it was:
• 05.130 but still he held on.
• 05.138 And there was the ring still,
• 05.146 It was still ajar,
• 05.148 while bewildered goblins were still picking up
• 06.002 they are not still back there
• 06.003 He still wandered on,
• 06.005 He crept still nearer,
• 06.005 He had still got the ring on,
• 06.014 If they had still doubted that he was really a first-class burglar,
• 06.031 where they still come
• 06.034 And we are still pretty high up.
• 06.039 but the blackberries were still only
• 06.040 They still went on
• 06.045 they could still see the evening lights on the plains beyond.
• 06.058 Still Dori did not let Bilbo down.
• 06.061 for whom they were probably still hunting.
• 06.084 A few eagles were still circling
• 07.002 The sun was still close to the eastern edge of things.
• 07.012 You are still some miles north of the path
• 07.014 if still sore
• 07.018 Still I warn you he gets angry easily.’
• 07.024 They still had a long way to walk before them.
• 07.045 and was still warm
• 07.076 Or have you still got some more jacks
• 07.096 and still they sat
• 07.120 and while the dwarves were still singing songs he dropped asleep,
• 07.120 still puzzling his little head about Beorn,
• 07.121 So here you all are still!’
• 07.122 the goblin patrols were still hunting
• 07.123 but I like it still better now I am sure it is true.
• 07.130 if they had still had their ponies,
• 07.130 and would have left them still with a long
• 07.131 Still you are safer going north,
• 07.133 Still the next morning dawned bright
• 07.133 and while the shadows were still long they were off again.
• 07.133 that they rode still forward after dusk
• 07.143 he still said the same.
• 08.002 and still more luck
• 08.004 and it was everlastingly still
• 08.006 Worse still it brought thousands of dark-grey
• 08.007 and still the forest seemed just the same,
• 08.012 Still twelve yards is as good as a mile.
• 08.016 and still has the best sight,’
• 08.022 looking at the snapped painter that was still dangling from it.
• 08.029 (still grumbling)
• 08.029 and then go still.
• 08.031 They could still see his hood
• 08.032 They were still standing over him,
• 08.035 and the gloom gathered still deeper on them
• 08.038 Still Bombur slept
• 08.044 Still he did not see this,
• 08.046 that they were still gnawingly hungry,
• 08.089 in Bombur still.
• 08.092 and even grown-up he had still spent a deal of his time at quoits, dart-throwing,
• 08.100 “but still they cannot find me!”
• 08.108 But there were still five dwarves hanging at the end of the branch
• 08.125 though he would have felt a lot bolder still,
• 08.131 Still elves they were
• 09.016 and the still unconquered dragon)
• 09.019 It seemed a town of Men still throve there,
• 09.035 still happily snoring with smiles upon their faces.
• 09.044 and still less at being laughed at.
• 09.055 he could hear the elves still singing
• 09.069 but whether alive or dead still remains to be seen.
• 10.002 but still a strong water flowed on steadily through the midst.
• 10.003 still,
• 10.006 In the still evening air
• 10.007 who still dared to dwell here
• 10.007 They still throve on the trade
• 10.007 The rotting piles of a greater town could still be seen
• 10.008 though some still sang old songs
• 10.011 Are you still
• 10.016 Still –
• 10.040 Still, I daresay, more was guessed than was known,
• 10.042 While the enthusiasm still lasted
• 11.010 The dragon is still alive
• 11.011 and still I expect smokes
• 11.014 and brought them at last to a still narrower ledge,
• 11.014 grassy-floored, still and quiet.
• 11.032 but still Bilbo stood almost without moving.
• 11.036 Try it now while there is still time!’
• 12.008 and stopped where he could still see
• 12.010 but went still on
• 12.017 but still he clutched the cup,
• 12.019 The dwarves were still passing the cup
• 12.020 Smaug was still to be reckoned with.
• 12.027 and still all was safe.
• 12.027 and still all was safe.
• 12.033 to last them still for some time.
• 12.095 and we know that still;
• 12.095 and I still think that when we have won it will be time enough
• 12.096 if they were still lying there
• 12.101 What would have happened if the door had still been open
• 12.101 glad to be still alive,
• 13.001 they woke still to darkness
• 13.017 Mr. Baggins was still officially their expert burglar
• 13.018 while he was still near enough,
• 13.018 and still went on.
• 13.023 And still there was no sight nor sound of Smaug.
• 13.029 and still there were no dragon-noises,
• 13.034 and finding still hanging there many golden harps
• 13.034 they were still
• 13.038 Still I wish there was a looking-glass handy!’
• 13.048 still showing the fragments of old carven work within,
• 13.055 even if the old steps are still there.’
• 13.067 Still,
• 14.011 Still they had a little time.
• 14.015 and still no arrow hindered Smaug or hurt him
• 14.018 But there was still a company of archers
• 14.026 while some were still willing to defend it.
• 14.036 I serve you still –
• 14.042 Still elves are lightfooted,
• 14.044 who were still able,
• 15.001 and the crows that still lived about the Mountain
• 15.014 but we remember still the king that was of old.
• 15.021 If you would earn our thanks still more,
• 15.021 if any of you are still young
• 15.026 you will see that the dwarves still had some days before them.
• 15.026 and at such work the dwarves were still very skilled.
• 15.027 and they still had a breathing space.
• 15.027 Better still,
• 15.031 The morning was still pale
• 15.052 And still my other claims remain unanswered.’
• 15.060 The whole place still stinks of dragon,’
• 16.026 (which he still wore over his mail)
• 16.046 it was still where he had left it.
• 17.004 Are you still of the same mind?’
• 17.005 Still the elf-host has not departed as I bade!
• 17.031 The morning was still early
• 17.037 Let us hope still for something
• 17.040 Still more suddenly a darkness came on
• 17.054 while still the great bats swirled
• 18.002 but I suppose there is still time enough for that!’
• 18.003 Surely there was a camp still
• 18.003 But all was deadly still.
• 18.022 they were still outnumbered.
• 18.023 The dwarves were making a stand still
• 18.025 but the pursuit was still on foot,
• 18.051 The Wild was still the Wild,
• 19.001 Bilbo heard the elves still singing
• 19.002 Here grass is still growing,
• 19.025 still hidden
• 19.036 they were more surprised still.

“still, adv.” OED Online, Oxford University Press, June 2019, http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/190289. Accessed 31 July 2019.

Young

lfsaldenbirch , ,

• 01.091 and perhaps to one or two of the younger dwarves
• 01.109 not even when he was a young dragon,
• 02.079 it was thick as a young tree-trunk –
• 03.021 a tall young fellow,
• 04.008 and being the youngest of the dwarves by some fifty years
• 04.008 (or so Thorin said to the young dwarves)
• 05.111 when we twisted that nassty young squeaker.
• 08.016 but Fili is the youngest
• 10.013 Fili and Kili, however, who were young
• 10.018 and some of the younger people
• 10.018 in their young days.
• 12.067 that in his young days had been called Esgaroth.
• 12.072 Then I was but young
• 13.037 wrought for some young elf-prince long ago.
• 15.021 if any of you are still young
• 15.034 Some of the younger dwarves were moved
• 18.044 while the world is yet young!

Strength

lfsaldenbirch ,

Friends, you know that I have a wee obsession about chapter eight – the sudden nadir of uncommon words in the work. My theory is that Mirkwood is just so far out of Bilbo’s depth that he has no specialized words to describe it. Paragraph 08.016 – “Dori is the strongest” – is the bottommost point, so let’s do a little run of the words in that paragraph.

Dori is referred to 22 times by himself and not in combination with other dwarf names out of the 37 times he is named in the book – interesting –

I may be a coward, but I wish to leave “is” and “the” as an exercise for the student.

Strength, strength’s, strengths, strengths’, strong, stronger, strongest – here they are! And, my goodness! There are eleven uses of “strength” in Chapter eight – more than double any other chapter, even chapter twelve in describing Smaug!

• 01.123 strong and wicked worm called Smaug.
• 03.033 as strong as a warrior,
• 03.034 and strong
• 03.034 but strong to bring them over the mountain passes.
• 05.128 while he had any strength left.
• 05.128 as if lifted by a new strength
• 06.068 and strong
• 06.085 in strong sweeping circles.
• 06.092 He had just strength to wonder
• 07.014 which was now strong
• 07.020 He is very strong,
• 07.022 sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms
• 07.117 and strong beyond the rock for me to cross.
• 07.126 black and strong
• 08.008 and strong but not very wide right across the way,
• 08.016 Dori is the strongest,
• 08.018 I don’t suppose the magic is strong enough to hurt you,
• 08.019 This time he threw it with great strength.
• 08.022 and a good job that our rope was the stronger.’
• 08.038 from those parts with what strength they had left.
• 08.074 Something like a strong sticky string was against his left hand,
• 08.106 most of the strong sticky threads
• 08.131 Though their magic was strong,
• 08.132 and the strong place of his treasure,
• 08.144 in one of the inmost caves with strong wooden doors,
• 09.003 and strong beneath;
• 09.036 They will think we had a very strong magic
• 10.002 but still a strong water flowed on steadily through the midst.
• 10.038 and strong again.
• 10.039 grew stronger every day.
• 11.001 The stream was strong
• 12.032 and to gather new strength.
• 12.072 and strong, strong, strong,
• 12.072 and strong, strong, strong,
• 12.072 and strong, strong, strong,
• 12.096 and strength of triple steel.
• 15.021 and strong of wing,
• 15.037 The arrow swift, the Gate is strong;
• 16.012 of a strong drink
• 17.003 bore a strong casket of iron-bound wood.
• 17.025 so strong was the bewilderment of the treasure upon him,
• 17.031 The dwarves are exceedingly strong for their height,
• 17.031 but most of these were strong even for dwarves.
• 18.037 such as one strong pony could carry.
• 18.051 and strength.
• 18.054 and the Baggins was daily getting stronger.
• 19.002 With strength that men trusted