الْمَقَامَةُ الرقطاء

A tent appeared to me, and a fire was kindled.

Àgọ́ kan farahàn fún mi, pẹlú iná ti ń jó.

So I said: I will go to them, perhaps I may quench my thirst or find guidance by the fire.

Nítorí náà, mo sọ pé: Èmi yóò lọ sí ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn méjèèjì, bóyá mo lè mu omi tàbí rí ìmọ̀nà níbi iná.

When I reached the shade of the tent, I saw noble youths and a remarkable appearance.

Nigbati mo dé ojiji àgọ́ náà, mo rí àwọn ọ̀dọ́ tí wọ́n rẹ̀wà pẹlú irisi tó yanilenu.

And an old man with a splendid appearance, and he had fresh fruits.

Àti àgbàlagbà kan pẹ̀lú irisi tó dára, tí ó sì ní àwọn èso tuntun.

So I greeted him, then avoided him.

Nítorí náà, mo kí i, mo sì yà ara mi kúrò lọ́dọ̀ rẹ̀.

He laughed at me and responded kindly.

Ó rẹrìn sí mi, ó sì dáhùn pẹ̀lú ìfẹ́.

He said: Will you not sit with one whose fruits are pleasing and whose conversation is delightful?

Ó sọ pé: Ṣé ìwọ kò ní jókòó pẹ̀lú ẹni tí àwọn èso rẹ̀ dára àti tí ìjíròrò rẹ̀ dùn?

So I sat to enjoy his company, not to consume what he had.

Nítorí náà, mo jókòó láti gbádùn ìjoko rẹ̀, kì í ṣe láti jẹ ohun tí ó ní.

When he revealed his manners and bared his teeth.

Nigbati ó ṣí ìwà rẹ̀ àti tí ó fi eyín rẹ̀ hàn.

I knew it was Abu Zayd by his good humor and bad breath.

Mo mọ̀ pé ó jẹ́ Abu Seidu nípa ìròyìn rẹ̀ tó dára àti ẹ̀mí rẹ̀ tó burú.