الْمَقَامَةُ الْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ

He kept selling them in the market of depreciation,

Ó ń ta wọ́n ní ọjà pọntọ,

And wasting their price in gluttony,

Ó sì ń ná owó wọn lórí ìwọra,

And nibbling.

Àti kikanjẹ.

Until he tore apart all that I possessed.

Títí tí ó fi fa gbogbo ohun tí mo ní ya.

And spent my wealth in his hardship.

Ó sì ná gbogbo ọrọ̀ mi nínú ìpọ́njú rẹ̀.

When he made me forget the taste of comfort.

Nígbà tí ó mú mi gbàgbé adùn ìsinmi.

And left my house cleaner than a palm.

Ó sì fi ilé mi sílẹ̀ tó mọ́ ju ọwọ́ atẹ́lẹwọ́ lọ.

I said to him: O you, there's no hiding after misery.

Mo sọ fún un pé: Ìwọ yìí, kò sí ibùsọ̀ lẹ́yìn òsì.

And no perfume after a bride.

Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni kò sí tùràrí lẹ́yìn ìyàwó.

So rise up for earnings with your craft.

Nítorí náà, dìde sí èrè iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ.