{179}
* * * * *
"COULD WE WITH INK," ETC.
(Vol. viii., p. 648., &c.)
I agree with your learned correspondent MR. MARGOLIOUTH, that the
authorship of the lines alluded to must be ascertained by comparing _the
whole_, and not by a single expression. It seems to me highly probable that
they were suggested, either by the Chaldee hymn quoted by your
correspondent, or by the lines of Chaucer, quoted "N. & Q.," Vol. viii., p.
180. I cannot, however, agree that the popular lines in question are a are
a translation of the Chaldee hymn. The improbability will appear, if we
compare them (as given "N. & Q.," Vol. viii., p. 127.) with the following
version of the hymn; which, although metrical, will be found sufficiently
literal:
"To write the eternal power of God, no effort would suffice;
Although, such writing to contain, the volume were the skies;
Each reed a pen; and for the ink, the waters of the sea;
And though each dweller on the earth, an able scribe should be."
This hymn, I admit, is more succinct than the popular lines; but at the
same time I cannot but think that its author was indebted to the passage in
the Koran ("N. & Q.," Vol. viii., p. 422.), immediately, or through
Chaucer; who has not only the general sentiment as there found, but also--
"Eche sticke a pen, eche man a scrivener able."
I am equally convinced, that Mahomet himself took the thought from the
passage in the New Testament, as suggested by your correspondent E. G. R.
Each successive writer appears to have added something to what he borrowed.
But when the Evangelist, John, had said, "_The world itself_ would not be
able to contain the books that should be written," it was easy for one
writer to suppose an inkstand capacious as the sea; and for another to
supply parchment, pens, and scribes _ad libitum_. That the phrase in the
Koran should _now_ be common in the East, is not wonderful, considering the
extent to which Mahomedanism has prevailed there. After all, I do not think
that the _additions_ are any very great improvements. Without disputing
about tastes, I may say at least that, for my own part, I greatly prefer
the simplicity of the original idea, as expressed by the beloved disciple.