Trapped!

A servant lisped, “Gandalf is here.”
The news gave Saruman grim cheer
As into Orthanc’s cold, stone halls
Came Gandalf’s brisk, steady footfalls.

“Hail, Gandalf – my old friend the Grey.
You heed my summons and obey?
How good of you to come within
My humble dwelling. Let’s begin
To speak of what the future brings
To wizards – mankind’s natural kings.”

Gandalf stood still and silent long.
He studied Saruman. What’s wrong?
There’s something different in the air.
Has he entered a spider’s lair?
Gandalf shuddered and felt like prey
New-trapped inside Orthanc today.

“Greetings to Saruman the White -”
But Saruman his greeting quite
Dismissed. “White is a paltry start –
An undercoat whose only part
Is for repainting. Overwrite:
Now see how I improve on white!”
In myriad hues sudden arrayed
Was Saruman, whose robes displayed
A shifting, multi-coloured thread.
Gandalf senses danger ahead.

“Your rainbow robes – disdaining white –
Beseem you not. Read me aright:
For one who breaks a thing to try
To find what makes it work thereby
Deluded is: has left behind
The path of wisdom, they shall find.”

“Prattle me not! You, I advise –
Nay, I command! You’ll deem me wise
When you shall hear what I will say:
The age of elves passes away.
The days of men approach, and we
Must rule, to bring prosperity
And order to this motley crew:
The many governed by the few.
I hear the rumour – nay, I know! –
Indeed, I see you planned it so:
You know where lies the ruling Ring.
And I will have it! To me bring
This trinket. Together we shall rule!”

In Saruman’s eye there twinkled cruel,
Cold calculation. Lust for fame
And power spurred him on the same.

“Enough! Don’t pretend we shall rule
Together. Think me such a fool?
A Ring can be worn but by one –
As you well know. All I have done
To hide it I shall not reveal
To you. I see that no appeal
Can touch you in the slightest now.
You wish me to Sauron to bow?
Or to yourself? I neither choose.
Against Sauron you’ll surely lose.
So now, what is my option third?”

Then Saruman replied this word:
“Here you shall stay. While here confined
I shall ponder within my mind
How best to punish, or reward
Gandalf the Grey. This afterward
My empire upon Middle Earth
Established is.” With scornful mirth
Strong servants seized Gandalf the Grey
And led him powerless away.

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