Book 1, Chapters 4&5:

After looking at the road ahead,

Frodo bid them travel to the side, in the thickets.

The short-cut went awry, but led them away from Riders,

And they found their way to Farmer Maggot.

He gave them supper and news of Riders,

And a ride to the Ferry, lest they be discovered.

They were found—by Meriadoc Brandybuck, a friend to Frodo.

He drove ahead and made them supper at Frodo's new home.

Pippin gave all the news that night, and then Merry gave more—

They knew of the Ring, the Plan, and Frodo's leaving!

A band of conspirators all! And Sam the chief informant!

But, they all agreed to go with him in the morning,

Leaving good Fatty Bolger to keep up the charade.

Frodo had a troubled sleep—

Evil dreams of the Old Forest

Changed to Towers over the Deep.

And then light and thunder chorused.

Book 1, Chapter 6:

In the morning, the Hobbits set out, bidding the Shire farewell.

The evil lurking the Old Forest soon became clear.

Trees, hundreds of them, soon crowded their way and refused to let them pass.

Instead of giving way where the hobbits wanted to go,

The Trees guided them towards the river Withy-windle.

There, a great ghastly sleep overtook them all, and evil came.

Old Man Willow snapped Merry and Pippin up in his large, wooden cracks,

And Frodo and Sam ran shouting for help.

When who should come, but a little man, singing!

He quickly sang a song for the Willow Tree, and the hobbits were free.

The man showed the way to his home, and the Hobbits followed.

The Hobbits walked quickly,

But the man disappeared!

The trees muddled thickly,

When his little house appeared.

Book 1, Chapter 7:

They talked that night with the old Tom Bombadil,

And his beautiful wife, the River-daughter Goldberry.

No evil passes this door, he told them, so sleep in peace!

None of them succeeded in sleeping peacefully, though,

Until they awoke and remembered his words.

The new morning dawned wet and rainy and muddy,

A poor day for travelling! So they stayed and talked.

They learned much; about the world, about Evil, about Life.

And so they were greatly refreshed and warmed.

Words about their path were given and received,

And a song to sing in case of danger:

Ho! Sing out loud for Tom!

And he'll come running along.

Sing to me when gone is calm,

And I'll come saving in song.