Rumi's Masnavi - There is many a dear one that was hunted (by thee) with blandishments: when he became thy prey, he became cheap in thine eyes.

There is many a dear one that was hunted (by thee) with blandishments: when he became thy prey, he became cheap in thine eyes.

بس عزیزی که بناز اشکار شد ** چون شکارت شد بر تو خوار شد

When from sincerity the friendship of intellect with intellect arises, every moment the devotion is increased;

آشنایی عقل با عقل از صفا ** چون شود هر دم فزون باشد ولا

(But) know for sure, the friendship of the carnal soul with any base carnal soul is momently diminished, 2690

آشنایی نفس با هر نفس پست ** تو یقین می‌دان که دم دم کمترست

Because his carnal soul hovers round disease and soon corrupts the (friendly) acquaintance.

زانک نفسش گرد علت می‌تند ** معرفت را زود فاسد می‌کند

If thou dost not wish thy friend to be averse (to thee) on the morrow, take (choose) friendship with the intelligent and with the intellect.

گر نخواهی دوست را فردا نفیر ** دوستی با عاقل و با عقل گیر

Inasmuch as thou art sick from the simoom of the carnal soul, whatever thou mayst take thou art the instrument for (infecting it with) disease.

از سموم نفس چون با علتی ** هر چه گیری تو مرض را آلتی

If thou take a jewel, it becomes a (common) stone; and if thou take kindness of heart, it becomes a hatred;

گر بگیری گوهری سنگی شود ** ور بگیری مهر دل جنگی شود

And if thou take a fine original saying, after thy apprehension (of it) it has become tasteless and gross— 2695

ور بگیری نکته‌ی بکری لطیف ** بعد درکت گشت بی‌ذوق و کثیف

‘I have heard this many a time; it has become old: tell something else besides this, O trusty friend.’

که من این را بس شنیدم کهنه شد ** چیز دیگر گو بجز آن ای عضد

Suppose that something else fresh and new has been said, again to-morrow thou art surfeited with it and averse.

چیز دیگر تازه و نو گفته گیر ** باز فردا زان شوی سیر و نفیر