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Of Elven Literature (major works)

Chapter 2: To Nymya

Summary:

Original Work: A Silvia
Original Author: Giacomo Leopardi

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

“O Nymya, dost thou recall / that time of thy mortal life / before thy radiance did decline / and to cruel fate thou hadst to fall?

When thy smile shone bright / thy hair like golden hay / thine eyes the hue of the sky by day / and thy skin that of starlight.

Ere it all became lost / and thou did go beyond the land of dream / of the Holy Larethian to become paladin / thou did tell me was what thou wish'd most.

Now with the Father safe thou art / though it pains me thou art not near / I bid thee farewell, Nymya, my dear / may this be the only life we art apart."

- To Nymya

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Title: To Nymya (alternatively: "O Nymya, dost thou recall?" or "Nymya, dost thou recall?")

 

Genre: short poem 

 

Length: 16 verses

 

Status: complete

 

Themes/topic: the poem addresses a girl named Nymya who tragically passed away young. The reason is unknown although it's suspected to be either illness or accidental poisoning. The Author (whose relationship with Nymya is unknown) addresses the girl and describes her. She appears to have been deeply devoted to Corellon Larethian, elven god, Father Of All Elves.

 

Trivia:

- this is the oldest piece of elven literature known.

- the spelling Nymya has been commonly adopted to ease the pronunciation, it can otherwise be found as Nymja

 

Public opinion: the poem is generally appreciated and, although nothing else about Nymya is known or has been found, she's beloved by most. Her tragic fate lead her to cover the role of anyone's departed loved one.

Notes:

Have mercy of my soul, I've studied Latin, not Shakespearean English. Please if you have corrections tell meee

Notes:

This is based mostly on AD&D lore but I think it could be adapted to any edition.