I knew a learned man who had fallen in love with someone but his secret having fallen from the veil of concealment into publicity, he endured abundant persecution and displayed boundless patience. I said once to him by way of consolation: ‘I know thou entertainest no worldly motive nor inclination for baseness. It is nevertheless unbecoming the dignity of a scholar to expose himself to suspicions and to bear the persecutions of mannerless persons.’ He replied: ‘O friend, take off the hand of reproach from my skirt because I have often meditated on the opinion which thou entertainest but have found it easier to bear persecution for his sake than not to see him; and philosophers have said that it is easier to accustom the heart to strife, than to turn away the eye from seeing the beloved.
Who has his heart with a heart-ravisher Has his beard in another’s hand. A gazelle with a halter on the neck Is not able to walk of its own accord. If he, without whom one cannot abide, Becomes insolent it must be endured. I one day told him to beware of his friend But I often asked pardon for that day. A friend does not abandon a friend. I submit my heart to what he wills. Whether he kindly calls me to himself Or drives me away in anger he knows best.
