He lies, and perjures all that's true;
Who swears he is in love with two
He shares in falsehood equally
With that damned miscreant, Manichee.
The heart has not sufficient place
To hold two sweets in one embrace,
Nor may the second love affair
Claim with the first an equal share.
For as the Reason is unique
It cannot know, though it may seek,
Another Power to create
Besides the All Compassionate.
And so the Heart, that's likewise one,
Is constituted to love none
Except that single darling dear,
Be he afar or be he near.
The man who claims a dual love
Is thus, as these examples prove,
A doubtful follower of Love's laws,
A traitor to Religion's cause.
And by that selfsame reasoning
True Faith is too a single thing;
He who a second serves as well
Condemns himself an infidel.
~ ibn hazm
