الْمَقَامَةُ الْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ

I never entered a city nor penetrated a den,

Kò sí ìgbà tí mo wọ ìlú tàbí tí mo wọ ihò kan

Except that I blended with its ruler as water blends with wine, and strengthened myself with his care as bodies are strengthened by spirits.

Àyàfi pé mo dàpọ̀ mọ́ aláṣẹ rẹ̀ bí omi ṣe ń dàpọ̀ mọ́ ọtí wáìnì, mo sì fi ìtọ́jú rẹ̀ pa ara mi lára bí ẹ̀mí ṣe ń fún ara ní agbára.

While I was with the governor of Alexandria,

Nígbà tí mo wà pẹ̀lú gómìnà Aleksandria,

On a bare evening,

Ní ìrọ̀lẹ́ tí kò ní ohun kankan,

When he had brought forth the charity funds,

Nígbà tí ó ti mú owó ìtọrẹ jáde,

To distribute among those in need,

Láti pín fún àwọn aláìní,

When an old man, crafty as a demon, entered,

Nígbà náà ni arúgbó kan tí ó lóye bí ẹ̀mí èṣù wọlé,

Supported by a woman with children,

Tí obìnrin abiyamọ kan tí ó ní ọmọ ń tí lẹ́yìn,

She said: "May Allah support the judge,

Ó sọ pé: "Kí Ọlọ́hun ràn adájọ́ lọ́wọ́,

And maintain through him mutual satisfaction.

Kí ó sì fi mú ìtẹ́lọ́rùn wà láàrin wa.