الْمَقَامَةُ الشِّعرية

A dwelling that, when it makes you laugh today, will make you weep tomorrow.

Ibùgbé tí bó bá mú ọ rẹ́rìn-ín lónìí, yóò mú ọ sọkún lọ́la.

And when its cloud looms, no thirst is quenched by it.

Tí ìkùùkù rẹ̀ bá síjú, kò ní pa òùngbẹ ẹnikẹ́ni.

Its raids never cease, and its captive is not ransomed.

Ìkógun rẹ̀ kì í dópin, bẹ́ẹ̀ ni a kò le ra ẹ̀rú rẹ̀ padà.

How many are proud in its delusion, until they appear rebellious.

Mélòó ni ó ń ṣe ìgbéraga nínú ẹ̀tàn rẹ̀, títí wọ́n fi di alaigbọran.

It turned its shield's back to him and plunged the knife into him.

Ó yí ẹ̀yìn àbọ́ ìṣọ́ sí i, ó sì fi ọ̀bẹ gún un.

So rise above letting your life pass wasted in it, in vain.

Nítorí náà, má jẹ́ kí ẹ̀mí rẹ ó lọ lásán nínú rẹ̀.

Cut off the ties of its love and pursuit, you'll find guidance.

Gé gbogbo ìdè ìfẹ́ rẹ̀ àti wíwá rẹ̀ kúrò, ìwọ yóò rí ìtọ́sọ́nà.

And watch if the war of enemies spares you from its deceit.

Ṣùgbọ́n ṣọ́ra bí ogun àwọn ọ̀tá bá fi ẹ̀tàn rẹ̀ yọ ọ́.

And know that its calamities will surprise you, even if time prolongs.

Máa mọ̀ pé àwọn ìṣòro rẹ̀ yóò yà ọ lẹ́nu, bí ó tilẹ̀ pé àkókò ń lọ.

The governor turned to the boy and said: Woe to you, a rebellious graduate and a thieving student!

Gómìnà yí padà sí ọmọkùnrin náà ó sì wí pé: Ègbé ni fún ọ, ọmọ ilé-ẹ̀kọ́ àlaìgbọ́ràn àti ọmọ-ẹ̀kọ́ olè!