Wise they were or were said to be
Yet governed by a hand turned to treachery.
Waiting too long - too late to attack
They were too slow to see the evil pact.
White Council
The White Council, also referred to as the Council of the Wise, was a group of the wise in Middle-earth which met irregularly. Its purpose was 'to unite and direct the forces of the West, in resistance to the shadow.
Tolkien Gateway: White Council