Legolas & the Eagle

I've heard people say about Tolkien before,
  "Here in the Lord of the Rings X could be a subtle indication of Y."
I believe I've found verification that Tolkien did not always spell everything out.
Legolas was making a bid to lead the Fellowship, because young Aragorn, ranger, was insufficient to the task.
ARAGORN: I doubt if you will find a path quicker than the one the Orcs chose.
Tolkien could have spelled it out:
ARAGORN: Here's a path and you know how sour grapes are.
--
Further penitence and piracy
between the spliff and all the grapes
Hum enslaving race
And keep your Js.
  vo^ vo^  C ü c k h a u s  ^ov ^ov