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As they looked out of the window there came falling gently as if it wasflowing down the rain out of the sky； the clear voice of Goldberry singing upabove them。 They could hear few words； but it seemed plain to them that thesong was a rain…song； as sweet as showers on dry hills； that told the tale ofa river from the spring in the highlands to the Sea far below。 The hobbitslistened with delight； and Frodo was glad in his heart； and blessed the kindlyweather； because it delayed them from departing。 The thought of going had beenheavy upon him from the moment he awoke； but he guessed now that they wouldnot go further that day。
The upper wind settled in the West and deeper and wetter clouds rolled upto spill their laden rain on the bare heads of the Downs。 Nothing could beseen all round the house but falling water。 Frodo stood near the open door andwatched the white chalky path turn into a little river of milk and go bubblingaway down into the valley。 Tom Bombadil came trotting round the corner of thehouse； waving his arms as if he was warding off the rain – and indeed when hesprang over the threshold he seemed quite dry； except for his boots。 These hetook off and put in the chimney…corner。 Then he sat in the largest chair andcalled the hobbits to gather round him。
'This is Goldberry's washing day；' he said； 'and her autumn…cleaning。 Toowet for hobbit…folk – let them rest while they are able！ It's a good day forlong tales； for questions and for answers； so Tom will start the talking。'
He then told them many remarkable stories； sometimes half as if speakingto himself； sometimes looking at them suddenly with a bright blue eye underhis deep brows。 Often his voice would turn to song； and he would get out ofhis chair and dance about。 He told them tales of bees and flowers； the ways oftrees； and the strange creatures of the Forest； about the evil things and goodthings； things friendly and things unfriendly； cruel things and kind things；
and secrets hidden under brambles。
As they listened； they began to understand the lives of the Forest； apartfrom themselves； indeed to feel themselves as the strangers where all otherthings were at home。 Moving constantly in and out of his talk was Old ManWillow； and Frodo learned now enough to content him； indeed more than enough；
for it was not fortable lore。 Tom's words laid bare the hearts of trees and
their thoughts； which were often dark and strange； and filled with a hatred ofthings that go free upon the earth； gnawing； biting； breaking； hacking；
burning： destroyers and usurpers。 It was not called the Old Forest withoutreason； for it was indeed ancient； a survivor of vast forgotten woods； and init there lived yet； ageing no quicker than the hills； the fathers of thefathers of trees； remembering times when they were lords。 The countless yearshad filled them with pride and rooted wisdom； and with malice。 But none weremore dangerous than the Great Willow： his heart was rotten； but his strengthwas green； and he was cunning； and a master of winds； and his song and thoughtran through the woods on both sides of the river。 His grey thirsty spirit drewpower out of the earth and spread like fine root…threads in the ground； andinvisible twig…fingers in the air； till it had under its dominion nearly allthe trees of the Forest from the Hedge to the Downs。
Suddenly Tom's talk left the woods and went leaping up the young stream；
over bubbling waterfalls； over pebbles and worn rocks； and among small flowersin close grass and wet crannies； wandering at last up on to the Downs。 Theyheard of the Great Barrows； and the green mounds； and the stone…rings upon the
hills and in the hollows among the hills。 Sheep were bleating in flocks。 Greenwalls and white walls rose。 There were fortresses on the heights。 Kings oflittle kingdoms fought together； and the young Sun shone like fire on the redmetal of their new and greedy swords。 There was victory and defeat； and towersfell； fortresses were burned； and flames went up into the sky。 Gold was piledon the biers of dead kings and queens； and mounds covered them； and the stonedoors were shut； and the grass grew over all。 Sheep walked for a while bitingthe grass； but soon the hills were empty again。 A shadow came out of darkplaces far away； and the bones were stirred in the mounds。 Barrow…wightswalked in the hollow places with a clink of rings on cold fingers； and goldchains in the wind。' Stone rings grinned out of the ground like broken teethin the moonlight。
The hobbits shuddered。 Even in the Shire the rumour of the Barrow…wightsof the Barrow…downs beyond the Forest had been heard。 But it was not a talethat any hobbit liked to listen to； even by a fortable fireside far away。
These four now suddenly remembered what the joy of this house had driven fromtheir minds： the house of Tom Bombadil nestled under the very shoulder ofthose dreaded hills。 They lost the thread of his tale and shifted uneasily；
looking aside at one another。
When they caught his words again they found that he had now wandered intostrange regions beyond their memory and beyond their waking thought； intolimes when the world was wider； and the seas flowed straight to the westernShore； and still on and back Tom went singing out into ancient starlight； whenonly the Elf…sires were awake。 Then suddenly he slopped； and they saw that henodded as if he was falling asleep。 The hobbits sat still before him；
enchanted； and it seemed as if； under the spell of his words； the wind hadgone； and the clouds had dried up； and the day had been withdrawn； anddarkness had e from East and West； and all the sky was filled with thelight of white stars。
Whether the morning and evening of one day or of many days had passedFrodo could not tell。 He did not feel either hungry or tired； only filled withwonder。 The stars shone through the window and the silence of the heavensseemed to be round him。 He spoke at last out of his wonder and a sudden fearof that silence：
'Who are you； Master？' he asked。
'Eh； what？' said Tom sitting up； and his eyes glinting in the gloom。
'Don't you know my name yet？ That's the only answer。 Tell me； who are you；
alone； yourself and nameless？ But you are young and I am