الْمَقَامَةُ الْكُوفِيَّةُ

If the moon of Sirius has set, then the moon of poetry has risen.

Bí òṣùpá Síríọ̀sì bá ti wọ̀, òṣùpá ewì ti yọ.

Or if the full moon of prose has hidden, then the full moon of poetry has shone.

Tàbí bí òṣùpá àròsọ bá ti farapamọ́, òṣùpá ewì ti tàn.

The intoxication of joy spread among them.

Inú dídùn tàn káàkiri láàrin wọn.

And drowsiness fled from their eyes.

Oorun sì fò kúrò ní ojú wọn.

They abandoned the rest they had intended.

Wọ́n kọ̀ ìsinmi tí wọ́n ti pinnu sí.

And they returned to spreading humor after they had folded it.

Wọ́n sì padà sí títàn àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ ẹ̀rín lẹ́yìn ìgbà tí wọ́n ti ká a.

And Abu Zayd was bent on working with his hands.

Abu Seidu sì ń tẹramọ́ iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ̀.

Until he had raised what was with him.

Títí tí ó fi gbé ohun tí ó wà lọ́wọ́ rẹ̀ sókè.

I said to him: Entertain us with a strange tale from your night conversations.

Mo sọ fún un pé: Sọ ìtàn àjèjì kan nínú àwọn ìtàn alẹ́ rẹ fún wa.

Or a wonder from the wonders of your travels.

Tàbí ìyanu kan nínú àwọn ìyanu ìrìnàjò rẹ.