لامية الشنفرى

Were frenzy, trembling, fever, and weakness.

Wọ́n jẹ́ ìbànújẹ, ìrònú, ìbà, àti àìlera.

I widowed women and orphaned children.

Mo fi àwọn obìnrin di àjé, mo sì fi àwọn ọmọ di àná.

And I returned as I began, while the night grew darker.

Mo padà bí mo ṣe bẹ̀rẹ̀, nígbà tí òru di òkùnkùn jù lọ.

And at Ghumaysa, two groups sat about me.

Ní Ghumaysa, ẹgbẹ́ méjì jókòó nípa mi.

Two parties: one questioned, the other asking.

Ẹgbẹ́ méjì: ẹ̀kan ń béèrè, ẹ̀kan ń dáhùn.

They said: our dogs barked in the night.

Wọ́n ní: àwọn ajá wa ké ní òru.

We said: was it a wolf prowling, or a beast wandering?

A ní: ṣé ikòko ló ń rìn, tàbí ẹranko ló ń yí ká?

It was but a faint sound, then it subsided.

Kò jẹ́ bí kò ṣe ìró kékeré, lẹ́yìn náà ó dákẹ́.

We said: was it a sand-grouse startled, or a falcon disturbed?

A ní: ṣé ẹyẹ ilẹ̀ ló yà, tàbí àkàndá ló dá?

If it be of jinn, it will depart as a visitor.

Tí ó bá jẹ́ ti ẹ̀mí, yóò lọ bí alejo.