I have not thought it necessary to give elaborate parallels to Zabara's
stories, nor to compare minutely the various details of the Marcolf legend
with Zabara's poem. On the whole, it may be said that the parallel is
general rather than specific. I am greatly mistaken, however, if the
collection of stories that follows does not prove of considerable interest
to those engaged in the tracking of fables to their native lairs. Here, in
Zabara, we have an earlier instance than was previously known in Europe, of
an intertwined series of fables and witticisms, partly Indian, partly
Greek, partly Semitic, in origin, welded together by the Hebrew poet by
means of a framework. The use of the framework by a writer in Europe in the
year 1200 is itself noteworthy. And when it is remembered what the
framework is, it becomes obvious that the "Book of Delight" occupies a
unique position in medieval literature.


THE GIANT GUEST

Once on a night, I, Joseph, lay upon my bed; sleep was sweet upon me, my
one return for all my toil. Things there are which weary the soul and
rest the body, others that weary the body and rest the soul, but sleep
brings calm to the body and the soul at once.... While I slept, I dreamt;
and a gigantic but manlike figure appeared before me, rousing me from my
slumber. "Arise, thou sleeper, rouse thyself and see the wine while it is
red; come, sit thee down and eat of what I provide." It was dawn when I
hastily rose, and I saw before me wine, bread, and viands; and in the
man's hand was a lighted lamp, which cast a glare into every corner. I
said, "What are these, my master?" "My wine, my bread, my viands; come,
eat and drink with me, for I love thee as one of my mother's sons." And I
thanked him, but protested: "I cannot eat or drink till I have prayed to
the Orderer of all my ways; for Moses, the choice of the prophets, and