Thoughts for a Graduate; and Two at Large
“Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins, who has proved himself a good companion on our long road, and a hobbit full of courage and resource far exceeding his size, and if I may say so possessed of good luck far exceeding the usual allowance - now is the time for him to perform the service for which he was included in our Company; now is the time for him to earn his Reward.” This was the charge of Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror King under the Mountain upon the opening of the enchanted doorway into the Lonely Mountain: the once home of his fathers, and dwarfin kin and now home to the dragon Smaug, the “Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities.” It is also my charge upon the opening of the doorway into the world, to a Classically educated, and distinctly Christian Graduate. Mr. Baggins indeed entered the darkened, secret passage into the mountain and made his way toward the end where an opening stood. It was here before he pressed on out, where an “unmistakable gurgling