To dip pen in his paste,
Or dip his paste-brush in the ink.
(Omar Khayyam's version)
Stay, fellow-traveler, let us stop and think,
Pause and reflect on the abysmal brink;
Say, would you rather thrust your pen in paste,
Or dip your paste-brush carelessly in ink?
(Rudyard Kipling's version)
Here is a theme that is worthy of our cognizance,
A theme of great importance and a question for your ken;