الْمَقَامَةُ الْكُوفِيَّةُ

So I rose when the darkness settled.

Mo sì dìde nígbà tí òkùnkùn bolẹ

Despite the pain in my feet.

Láìka ìrora ẹsẹ̀ mi sí.

To seek a host.

Láti wá olugbalejo kan,

Or to acquire a loaf of bread.

Tàbí láti rí àkàrà jẹ.

So the camel-driver of hunger drove me.

Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni adárí ràkunmí ebi sì darí mi.

And fate, nicknamed the father of wonders.

Àti ìpinnu, tí a ń pè ní bàbá ìyanu.

Until I stood at the door of a house.

Títí tí mo fi dúró ní ẹnu-ọ̀nà ilé kan.

So I said hastily:

Mo sì wí ní kíákíá pé:

May you be greeted, O people of this dwelling.

Kí a kí yín, ẹ̀yin ará ilé yìí.

And may you live in ease and comfort.

Kí ẹ sì wà ní ìrọ̀rùn àti ìtẹ́lọ́rùn.