(Masnavi Book 2: 27) Galen and the madman

 

How the madman sought to ingratiate himself with Jálínús (Galen), and how Jálínús was afraid.

2095. Jálínús said to his companions, “Let (one of you) give me such-and-such a medicine.”

Then said that person to him, “O master of (many) sciences, this medicine is sought (as a cure) for madness. Far be this from your intellect! Say no more (about it).” He replied, “A madman turned his face to me,

Looked pleasantly on my face for a while, made little eyes at me, and plucked my sleeve.

Had there not been in me congeniality with him, how would that ill-favoured man have turned his face towards me?

2100. Had he not seen (in me) one of his own kind, how should he have approached? How should he have thrown himself upon (attached himself to) one of another kind?”

When two persons come into touch with each other, without any doubt there is something in common between them. How should a bird fly except with its own kind? The society of the uncongenial is the grave and the tomb.