الْمَقَامَةُ الْوَاسِطِيَّةُ

But he rebuked me from eating.

Ṣùgbọ́n ó bá mi wí pé kí n má jẹun.

And urged me to serve.

Ó sì ràn mí létí láti bú ú fún gbogbo èèyàn.

By God, it was no quicker than the blink of an eye.

Mo búra pẹlú Ọlọ́hun, kò yára ju ṣíṣẹ́ ojú lọ.

Until the people fell on their chins.

Títí tí àwọn ènìyàn fi ṣubú sórí ijagbọn wọn.

When I saw them like hollow palm trunks.

Nígbà tí mo rí wọn bíi igi ọpẹ tí ó ṣófo.

Or like the slain daughter of a jar.

Tabi bí àwọn tí wọ́n mú amupára ọ̀tí ọmọ àgbè.

I knew it was one of the great signs.

Mo mọ̀ pé ó jẹ́ ọ̀kan lára àwọn àmi ńlá.

And the mother of lessons.

Àti ìyá àwọn ẹ̀kọ́.

So I said to him: O enemy of yourself and slave of your coin!

Nítorí náà, mo sọ fún un pé: Ìwọ́ tí ó jẹ́ ọ̀tá ara rẹ̀ àti ẹrú owó rẹ̀!

Did you prepare sweets for the people or a calamity?

Ṣé o pèsè àdídùn fún àwọn ènìyàn tàbí ìjàmbá?