الْمَقَامَةُ الصُّورِيَّةُ

I slipped out of the line and fled from the crowd.

Mo yọ kúrò nínú ìlà, mo sì sá kúrò nínú àwùjọ.

Then the elder glanced at me.

Nígbà náà, àgbàlagbà náà wo mí.

And a look that his gaze attacked me.

Pẹlú wiwo kán tí ojú rẹ̀ kọlu mí.

He said: Where are you going, O stubborn one? Why not associate with those who have generosity?

Ó sọ pé: Nibo ni o ń lọ, ẹlẹ́gàn? Kí ló dé tí o kò bá àwọn tó ní ìwà rere ṣe?

I said: By the One who created it (heavens) in layers and illuminated it.

Mo sọ pé: Nípasẹ̀ Ẹni tí ó dá a (Ọ̀run) ní ìpele, tí ó sì tan ìmọ́lẹ̀ sí i.

I have not eatened a piece of food nor have I tasted a loaf.!

Mi ò tiì jẹ́ adùn kankan, mi ò sì ṣe itọwo sí àkàrà kánkan.!

Until you tell me where your youth originates from and from where your breeze blows?

Àyàfi kí Ó sọ fún mi níbi tí ìgbà èwe rẹ̀ tí ń bọ̀ wá, àti ibi tí afẹ́fẹ́ rẹ̀ ti ń bọ̀?

He sighed deeply many times and sent forth abundant tears.

Ó mí kánlẹ̀ ní ọ̀pọ̀ ìgbà, ó sì sọ omi ẹ̀kún jáde lọ́pọ̀lọpọ̀.

Until he exhausted his tears, he silenced the gathering.

Títí tí ó fi parí omi ẹ̀kún rẹ̀, ó sì dá ìpàdé dúró.

And he said to me: Lend me your ear:

Ó sọ fún mi pé: Fún mi ní etí rẹ: