Priapeia

Priaepia

by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers

  1. Simply to thee I say whatever to say shall behove me,
  2. Since my 'nature' alway openly showeth to fight;
  3. Fain would I pedicate thee who'rt Fain to plunder my apples;
  4. An my want thou shalt grant, eke shall be granted thy want.
  1. Form-charms in Mercury have might to please;
  2. Form in Apollo is conspicuous charm;
  3. Formose in picture is Lyaeus limned
  4. And Cupid most formose of all is shown.
  5. Freely of lovely form the lack I own;
  6. Yet is our mentule a resplendent gem;
  7. And this to th'erst-named gods shall aye prefer
  8. The damsel dowered with no fatuous coynte.
  1. Yon Telethusa befamèd amid the damsels Suburran
  2. (Who by her gains I hold freedwoman now is become)