«إذا مَلِكٌ لم يكن ذا هبةٍ فدعه فدولته ذاهبة»
If a king is not a giver, leave him; his reign is passing away.
«ذا هبة» is a two-word expression, while «ذاهبة» is one word. Their sound and the visual proximity of their letters create compound wordplay, even though the points at which words begin and end differ.
The resemblance also reinforces the point of criticism: the absence of generosity is linked to the ruler’s imminent decline. This is verbal beauty serving a meaningful judgment rather than soundplay in isolation.