الْمَقَامَةُ الْكُوفِيَّةُ

So we said: Who is the visitor in this pitch-dark night?

A sì wí pé: Ta ni àlejò yìí ní òru dúdú yìí?

He said: O people of this dwelling, may you be protected from evil and may you never encounter harm as long as you live.

Ó sì dáhùn pé: Ẹ̀yin ará ilé yìí, kí Ọlọ́run dá a yín sí kúrò lọwọ ibi, kí ẹ má sì rí ìpalára ní gbogbo ọjọ́ ayé yín.

The gloomy night has driven to your threshold one disheveled and dusty.

Òru dúdú ti lé sí ẹnu-ọ̀nà yín ẹni tí irun rẹ̀ tá kókó, tí ó kún fún erùpẹ̀.

A brother of long, extended travels, until he became bent and pale.

Arákùnrin tí ó ti ṣe ìrìnàjò pípẹ́, títí tí ó fi tẹ, tí àwọ̀ rẹ̀ sì rẹ̀.

Like the crescent moon on the horizon when it appears.

Bí òṣùpá tuntun tí ó yọ ní ọ̀run.

He has come to your courtyard seeking, and has chosen you above all people.

Ó ti wá sí ẹnu-ọ̀nà yín láti bẹ̀bẹ̀, ó sì ti yan yín ju gbogbo ènìyàn lọ.

Seeking from you hospitality and a place to rest.

Ó ń wá ìkóná àlejò àti ibi ìsinmi lọ́dọ̀ yín.

So here is a guest for you, content and noble.

Nítorí náà, èyí ni àlejò yín, ẹni tí o ní ìtẹ́lọ́rùn, tí ó sì ní iyì.

Satisfied with what is sweet and what is bitter.

Ó ní inú dídùn sí ohun tí ó dùn àti èyí tí ó korò.

And he will depart from you spreading goodness.

Yóò sì lọ kúrò lọ́dọ̀ yín, kí ó máa tan ìre káàkiri.