THE COMING OF LUGH
by Iarwain
              
Lugh the Il-Dana came to the Tara 
Lugh Samildanach came to the palace of the Tutha De 
Lugh, master of all arts, came to Eireann 
 
The gate keeper did not recognize Lugh 
The gate keeper asked the Il-Dana his name 
The gate keeper asked Lugh Samildanach what skill he possesed 
 
Lugh said: 
 
I am Lugh Samildanach 
I am Lugh the Il-Dana 
I am Lugh, master of battle 
 
The gate keeper said: 
              
We have no need of a battle master 
King Nuada de Danann is our battle master 
Nuada Airgitlamh is our battle master 
 
Lugh said: 
I am Lugh Samildanach 
I am Lugh the Il-Dana 
I am Lugh, master of healing 
The gate keeper said: 
We have no need of a master of healing 
Diancecht de Danann is our master healer 
Diancecht is master of all herbs and healings 
 
Lugh said: 
 
I am Lugh Samildanach 
I am Lugh the Il-Dana 
I am Lugh, master of knowledge 
 
The gate keeper said: 
 
We have no need of a master of knowledge 
Oghma de Danann is master of all learning 
Oghma is master of all knowledge 
              
Lugh said: 
 
I am Lugh Samildanach 
I am Lugh the Il-Dana 
I am Lugh, master of Sailing 
 
The gate keeper said: 

We have no need of a master of sailing. 
Mananan mac Lyr de Danann is our master of ships. 
Mananan mac Lyr, son of the sea, is our master of sailing 
 
Lugh said: 
 
I am Lugh Samildanach 
I am Lugh the Il-Dana 
I am Lugh, master of sorcery 
 
The gate keeper said: 
 
We have no need of a master of sorcery 
The Badb de Danann are mistresses of all sorcery 
The three sisters Macha, Nemhain and  
Morrigan are mistresses of all witchcraft 
Lugh said: 
              
I am Lugh Samildanach 
I am Lugh the Il-Dana 
I am Lugh, master of smithing 
  
The gate keeper said: 
  
We have no need of a master of smithing 
Goibniu de Danann is our master of smithing 
Goibniu is a master of all crafts 
  
Lugh said: 
              I am Lugh Samildanach 
I am Lugh the Il-Dana 
I am Lugh, master of the battle 
I am Lugh, master of healing 
I am Lugh, master of knowledge 
I am Lugh, master of sailing 
I am Lugh, master of sorcery 
I am Lugh, master of smithing 
  
I bid you, unless you know of another who is master 
of all these arts, take me to Nuada Airgitlamh, 
take me to Nuada, king of the Tutha de Danann. 
  
The gatekeeper went to Nuada. 
When Nuada heard of Lugh's coming he said: 
Let him come in, for never has his like entered 
this fortress 
              
Lugh the Il-Dana was admitted to the Tara 
Lugh Samildanach was admitted to the palace of the Tuatha De 
Lugh master of all arts found his place amongst the Tuatha de Denann 
Night Wind 
                
Night Wind whispers gently through the trees tonight, 
Soon, softly, soon they whisper in delight, 
Flights of Night Visions take wing in the night, 
Off to the slumbers of children to bring Joy and Fright. 
   
Over house, street, mountain and meadow 
 
Wind flies swirling, fast and then slow, 
To windows of children, it's dreams to bestow, 
Dreams of Heros, Dragons, Maidens and more. 
               
Little faces move in the night, 
Eyes seeing Night Dreams of Horror and Delight, 
Innocent faces asleep in the night, 
While mighty undertakings go on with Inner Light. 
  
Strong do they battle, they play in the night, 
While parents lie dreaming of their own fear and delight. 
Deep in the Heart of the Night Wind they soar, 
No longer Children, but Adventurers and More. 
  
Explorers and Travellers, Saints and Devils, 
The Children of Day become Night's greatest Messengers, 
Carrying word of Great Cities, Underground Oceans and Life, 
Back to the day to see the Sun's light. 
               
And in the morning as Night Wind retires, 
Bright little faces alight with the glow, 
Tell Tales of Valour and Strife into he night, 
and condescending pats on their Heads is their plight. 
Off to your play they are told in the Day, 
Enough of this dreaming they are told is the way, 
That they are growing up and that this is the Real Way, 
Dreams are for nighttime, and not for the day. 
  
Dreams are for Dreamers, now you go and Play, 
And the Mighty Warriors on the Night go into the Day, 
Playing with dolls and trucks and clay, 
The mighty forget Night's battles along the way. 
  
But Deep in the forest, the cave, and the Dark, 
Night Wind lies Dreaming and awaiting the Time, 
When Night visions once more take to flight, 
And Children of Day become Warriors of the Night. 
             
                       Shadow Hawk, 03-12-89