"Repent, he said, for the kingdom of the heavens is now close at
hand."
These examples are perfectly suited to illustrate the immense
difference that separates what is noble and fine in style and what is
poor and third rate.
If you recite the old version aloud you cannot escape the harmony and
balance of the sentences, and nothing dignified or distinguished can be
made of the wretched paraphrases of the two desecrators of the
splendid old text.
And, Antony, I would have you know that I, who have spent a long life
in precious libraries, loving fine literature with all my heart, have long
ago reverenced the old version of the Bible as the granite corner-stone
upon which has been built all the noblest English in the world. No
narrative in literature has yet surpassed in majesty, simplicity, and
passion the story of Joseph and his brethren, beginning at the
thirty-seventh and ending with the forty-fifth chapter of Genesis. There
is surely nothing more moving and lovely in all the books in the British
Museum than the picture of Joseph when he sees his little brother
among his brethren:--
"And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his
mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye
spake to me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
"And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother:
and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and
wept there."
The whole of the forty-fifth chapter is touching and beautiful beyond
all criticism, transcending all art. To read it is to believe every
word of it to be true, and to recognise the sublimity of such a
relation.
No narrative of the great Greek writers reaches the heart so directly
and poignantly as does this astonishing story. It moves swiftly and
surely along from incident to incident till Joseph's loving soul can
contain itself no more:--
"Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all of them that
stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me.
"And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known
unto his brethren.
"And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh
heard.
"And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father
yet live? And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept;
and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his
brethren and wept upon them.
"And after that his brethren talked with him."