( 419 ) 



DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PEN AND THE SWORD. 



Translated from Cap. XL. of the Rabbin Jehuda Charizi's Tahk&noni. 



HERMAN EZRACHI gave me the following narration : One night I 

 was lying on my bed, when sleep had fled from mine eyes. While, tor- 

 mented by lively pains and acute anguish, I was with difficulty moving 

 myself on my couch, I heard a loud knocking at the door of my house. 

 The knocking continued without intermission, and I cried out aloud, 

 " What man is this, who seeks to enter in the midst of darkness, and 

 in the obscurity of night ?" " It is," answered he who was knocking, " a 

 traveller, who hath strayed from his path, and who, devoid of all resourse, 

 is a prey to the most dismal apprehensions." At the sound of the 

 words, which issued from his mouth, as sharp as the blade of a razor, I 

 called my servant and ordered him to admit the traveller. When he 

 entered, supported by his staff, bearing his baggage, and clad in old and 

 ragged garments, I began to consider him attentively ; but what was my 

 astonishment, when under these rags and tatters, I recognised my dear 

 comrade, the doctor, whose society had been my delight. My joy was 

 the joy of a man who hath found a rich treasure, all my griefs 

 vanished and were forgotten ; a pleasure inexpressible took possession of 

 me. I caused to be placed before him whatever there was in the house, 

 and he ate of all the meats which I presented to him. Having concluded 

 his repast, and returned thanks to God for his bounties, he began to 

 display all the treasures of his eloquence, and to open all the coffers of his 

 wisdom. I instantly took ink and tablets, to put down in writing the 

 words which escaped from his mouth. But scarcely had I begun to 

 write, when the pen broke in my hand ; I promptly seized another, it 

 likewise broke ; and I threw it from me in anger. " Why," asked 

 Chaber Hahkini, " dost thou cast away that pen ? God himself made 

 choice of it ; beware of destroying it ; for it is the source of blessings. 

 Hadst thou been acquainted with the magnitude of its merits, thou 

 wouldst have been reluctant to throw it away thus. Canst thou be 

 ignorant of the words full of meaning, and the wise discourses, by which 

 it hath demonstrated its value ? If thou desire, I am ready to inform 

 thee ; nor will I refuse thee a full communication." " Speak," said I to 

 him ; " mine ears are opened to give free entrance to thy words, and the 

 light of thy countenance hath enlarged and invigorated my sight. 

 Chaber then said : - 



" In times past, a contest arose between the king's ministers, who 

 held the pen for the execution of his will, and the generals, who com- 

 manded his armies. 



" Eloquence is our portion," said the first ; " we are the heroes of 

 council and deliberation. The oracles of prudence proceed from our 

 mouths, and upon them we have established the foundations of the 

 empire ; they are the bond which unite and consolidate its structure. 

 Our hands hold the pen, an instrument of immense value, whose power 



