ابوالعلامعري

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.