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Story CXXXVIII

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.