_Source._--Halliwell, _Nursery Rhymes_.
_Parallels._--It is possible that this is an Eastern "sell": it occurs
at any rate as the first episode in Fitzgerald's translation of Jami's
_Salámán and Absál_. Jami, _ob._ 1492, introduces the story to
illustrate the perplexities of the problem of individuality in a
pantheistic system.
Lest, like the simple Arab in the tale,
I grow perplext, O God! 'twixt ME and THEE,
If I--this Spirit that inspires me whence?
If THOU--then what this sensual impotence?
In other words, M. Bourget's _Cruelle Enigme_. The Arab yokel coming to
Bagdad is fearful of losing his identity, and ties a pumpkin to his leg
before going to sleep. His companion transfers it to his own leg. The
yokel awaking is perplexed like the pantheist.
If I--the pumpkin why on YOU?
If YOU--then where am I, and WHO?