مقصورة ابن دريد

They kept company with sleep, though they were tender blossoms.

Wọ́n bá oorun lọ́rẹ́, bí wọ́n tilẹ̀ jẹ́ ododo tuntun.

The night cast its blessing upon the deserts.

Òru tú ìbùkún rẹ̀ sí aginjù.

And the camels scattered the nests of sandgrouse.

Àwọn ìkòkò ń tú àwọn àgọ̀ ẹyẹ kúrò ní aginjù.

Where no sound guides the ear.

Níbi tí kò sí ohun tí ń tọ́ ọ́ sí.

Except the hoot of owls or the echo’s voice.

Bí kò ṣe ìró àkùkọ́ àgbàdo tàbí ìró ìdàpọ̀.

I accompanied them on the night journey until.

Mo bá wọn lọ ní ìrìnàjò òru títí di…

The gear of travel leaned with the heavy load.

Ìrìnàjò náà yí sílẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ẹrù tó wuwo.

I said to them: ease brings weakness in its wake.

Mo sọ fún wọn pé: ìrọ̀rùn ń mú àìlera wá lẹ́yìn rẹ̀.

So strive, and you will be praised after the journey.

Nítorí náà, ẹ ṣiṣẹ́ takuntakun, ẹ̀yin yóò jẹ́ ẹni tí a yìn lẹ́yìn ìrìnàjò.

And the desolate lands, their waters overflowing.

Àwọn agbègbè àìlera, omi wọn ń ṣàn ju.