[davem]

Just on the titles Bilbo claims for himself here. I'm reminded of
The Song of Amergin. If you compare the two (first Bilbo's riddling titles, then Amergin's song

"You have nice manners for a thief and a liar,"said the dragon. "You seem familiar with my name, but I don't seem to remember smelling you before. Who are
you and where do you come from, may I ask?"

"You may indeed!

I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led. And through the air,
I am he that walks unseen."

"So I can well believe,"said Smaug, "but that is hardly your usual name."


"I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly.
I was chosen for the lucky number."

"Lovely titles!"sneered the dragon. "But lucky numbers don't always come off."

"I am he that buries his friends alive and drowns them and draws them alive again from the water.
I came from the end of a bag, but no bag went over me."

"These don't sound so creditable,"scoffed Smaug.


"I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles.
I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and
I am Barrel-rider,"

went on Bilbo beginning to be pleased with his riddling.

The Song of Amergin

I am a stag: of seven tines,
I am a flood: across a plain,
I am a wind: on a deep lake,
I am a tear: the Sun lets fall,
I am a hawk: above the cliff,
I am a thorn: beneath the nail,
I am a wonder: among flowers,
I am a wizard: who but I
Sets the cool head aflame with smoke?

I am a spear: that roars for blood,
I am a salmon: in a pool,
I am a lure: from paradise,
I am a hill: where poets walk,
I am a boar: ruthless and red,
I am a breaker: threatening doom,
I am a tide: that drags to death,
I am an infant: who but I
Peeps from the unhewn dolmen arch?

I am the womb: of every holt,
I am the blaze: on every hill,
I am the queen: of every hive,
I am the shield: for every head,
I am the tomb: of every hope.

I suspect this is a deliberate parody - any thoughts?