الْمَقَامَةُ الْوَاسِطِيَّةُ

He said: Rejoice in the reproach of time and the milking of pearls!

Ó ní: Yọ̀ fún ìbáwí àkókò àti mímú wúrà!

For you have been given the necklace and entrusted with the critique, as if it were already done.

Nítorí pé o ti gba òrùka àti ayẹworẹ, bí ẹni pé ó ti ṣeé tán.

Then he began to promise the people of the inn and prepare the sweets of the table.

Lẹ́yìn náà, ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí ṣe ìlérí fún àwọn ènìyàn ilé ìtura àti pèsè àdídùn tábìlì.

When the night extended its tentacles and everyone closed their doors.

Nígbà tí òru tán àwọn ẹ̀yà rẹ̀ gùn, tí gbogbo ènìyàn ti pa ilẹ̀kùn wọn dé.

He called out to the congregation: Come at this hour!.

Ó ké sí àwùjọ: Ẹ wá báyìí báyìí (ní àsìkò yìí)!.

No one remained except those who answered his call and came to his house.

Kò sí ẹnikẹ́ni tó kù ayàfi àwọn tó dáhùn sí ìpè rẹ̀ tí wọ́n sì wọlé rẹ̀.

When they lined up before him and the witness and the witnessed gathered around him.

Nígbà tí wọ́n dúró níwájú rẹ̀, tí ẹlẹ́rìí àti èèyàn tí wọ́n ń jẹ́rìí sí kó jọ níwájú rẹ̀.

He began to raise and lower the astrolabe, observing and leaving the calendar.

Ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí gbé Òun tí wọ́n ń fì wo ìràwọ kalẹ̀, Ó ṣàkíyèsí àwọn ètò ọjọ́ (Kọjọdá).

Until the people became drowsy and sleep overcame them.

Títí tí àwọn ènìyàn fi ń tòògbé, ti oorun gbé wọn lọ.

I said to him: O man, put the axe to the head and relieve the people from drowsiness.

Mo sọ fún un pé: Arákùnrin, fi àáké sí orí kí o sì gbà àwọn ènìyàn là kúrò nínú àárẹ̀.