ABU AL ‘ALA AL-MA‘ARRI

It is said that Ma‘arri never ate meat; He lived on fruit and vegetables.

A friend sent him a roasted partridge, To allure that clever gentleman into eating meat.

When Ma‘arri saw that elegant tray He, the author of Ghufran and Lazumat said,

“O You helpless little bird, would you tell me your sin For which this punishment has been awarded to you?

Alas, you did not become a falcon; Your eye did not perceive the directives of Nature.

It is the eternal decree of the Judge sitting in Judgement on destinies— That weakness is a crime punishable by death.