He recited spontaneously and did not hesitate:
Ó kọ́ lẹ́sẹ̀kẹsẹ̀, kò sì ṣiyèméjì:
Tell the inquirer of my affairs that I hold honor and dignity for you.
Ṣe ìkílọ̀ fún ẹni tí ó ń béèrè nípa àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ mi pé mo ní ọlá àti iyì fún ọ.
I am between traversing lands and journeying through deserts.
Mo wà láàrín ìrìnàjò láti ilẹ̀ kan sí ilẹ̀ mìíràn àti ìrìnàjò ní aginjù.
My provisions are hunting and my mount is my sandals. My gear is my bag and staff.
Àwọn ohun èlò mi ni ìdẹ́ àti ẹ̀ṣin mi ni bàtà mi. Ẹ̀rù mi ni àpò àti ọ̀pá mi.
When I descend into a city, my home is a room in the inn and my companion is a butcher.
Nigbati mo bá dé ìlú kan, ilé mi ni yàrá kan nínú ilé ìtura àti ẹlẹgbẹ́ mi ni oníṣòwò ẹran.
I do not regret what is lost.
Kò sí ohun tí mo kabamọ nípa rẹ tí ó bá sọnù.
Nor do I grieve if time tries to extort it.
Tabi mo ṣe bínú tí àkókò bá gbìyànjú láti gba á lọ́wọ́ mi.
But I refuse to be burdened with worries (I slept worry less).
Ṣùgbọ́n mo sùn ní irọrùn láìsí wàhálà
And my soul is free from sorrow.
Ẹ̀mí mi sì ṣòfò kúrò nínú ìbànújẹ́.
I sleep through the night with my eyes full.
Mo sùn ní gbogbo òru pẹ̀lú gbogbo ojú mi.