Priapeia
Priaepia
by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers
- In play, Priapus (thou canst testify),
- Songs, fit for garden not for book-work, I
- Wrote and none over-care applied thereto.
- No Muses dared I (like the verseful crew)
- Invite to visit such unvirginal site.
- For heart and senses did forbid me quite
- To set the choir Pïérian, chaste and fair,
- Before Priapus' tool--such deed to dare.
- Then whatsoe'er I wrote when idly gay,
- And on this Temple-wall for note I lay,
- Take in good part--such is the prayer I pray.