Textual History of the Valaquenta Introduction

History of the Introduction

Excerpts from the THE MUSIC OF THE AINUR (Containeth also the COMING OF THE VALAR and beginneth THE BUILDING OF VALINOR)	Excerpt from the THE QUENTA (herein is QUENTA NOLDORINWA Or Pennas-na-Ngoelaidh)	Excerpt from the QUENTA SILMARILLION Here begins the Silmarillion or history of the Silmarils 1 OF THE VALAR	Excerpt from the “Later QUENTA SILMARILLION” Here begins the Silmarillion or history of the Silmarils 1 OF THE VALAR	“VALAQUENTA”
§44(1). Knowing all their hearts, still did Ilúvatar grant the desire of the Ainur, nor is it said he was grieved thereat.	§1(1). After the making of the World by the Allfather, who in Elvish tongue is named Iluvatar,	§1(1). In the beginning the All-father, who in Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar, made the Ainur of his thought; and they made music before him. Of this music the World was made; for Ilúvatar gave it being, and set it amid the Void, and he set the secret fire to burn at the heart of the World; and he showed the World to the Ainur.	§1. In the beginning Eru, the One, who in Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar, made the Ainur of his thought; and they made a great music before him. Of this music the World was made; for Ilúvatar made visible the song of the Ainur, and they beheld it as a light in the darkness. And many of the mightiest among them became enamoured of its beauty and of its history which they saw beginning and unfolding as in a Vision. Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World.	§1. In the beginning Eru, the One, who in the Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar, made the Ainur of his thought; and they made a great Music before him. In this Music the World was begun; for Ilúvatar made visible the song of the Ainur, and they beheld it as a light in the darkness. And many among them became enamoured of its beauty, and of its history which they saw beginning and unfolding as in a vision. Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä.
§44(2). So entered these great ones into the world,	§1(2). many of the mightiest spirits that dwelt with him came into the world to govern it, because seeing it afar after it was made they were filled with delight at its beauty.	§1(2). And many of the mightiest of them became enamoured of its beauty, and desired to enter into it; and they put on the raiment of the World, and descended into it, and they are in it.	§1a. Then those of the Ainur who would entered into the World at the beginning of Time, and behold! It was their task to achieve it and by their labour to fulfill the Vision which they had seen. Long they laboured in the regions of Ea, which are vast beyond the thought of Elves and Men, until in the time appointed was made Arda, the Kingdom of Earth. Then they put on the raiment of Earth, and descended into it and dwelt therein; and they are therein.	§2. Then those of the Ainur who desired it arose and entered into the World at the beginning of Time; and it was their task to achieve it, and by their labours to fulfil the vision which they had seen. Long they laboured in the regions of Eä, which are vast beyond the thought of Elves and Men, until in the time appointed was made Arda, the Kingdom of Earth. Then they put on the raiment of Earth and descended into it, and dwelt therein.
A manuscript by J.R.R.Tolkien, c. 1918-1920, edited and published by Christopher Tolkien in THE BOOK OF LOST TALES 1, Houghton Mifflin, 1983.	A typescript by J.R.R.Tolkien, c. 1930, edited and published by Christopher Tolkien in THE SHAPING OF MIDDLE-EARTH, Houghton Mifflin, 1986.	A typescript by J.R.R.Tolkien, c. 1937, edited and published by Christopher Tolkien in THE LOST ROAD AND OTHER WRITINGS, Houghton Mifflin, 1987.	A typescript by J.R.R.Tolkien, c. 1951, edited and published by Christopher Tolkien in MORGOTH’S RING, Houghton Mifflin, 1993.	A typescript by J.R.R.Tolkien, c. 1958, edited and published by Christopher Tolkien in THE SILMARILLION, Houghton Mifflin, 1977.