Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. Bacchus often is wont with a moderate bunch to be sated,
  2. When the deep brim-full vats hardly the must shall contain;
  3. So when the threshing-floors all fail for the plentiful harvest
  4. Ceres' ringlets to crown only one garland we bring.
  5. Thou too, a minor god, example borrow from the major--
  6. Though few apples we give, take thou our gift in good part.
  1. E, D, an thou write, conjoining the two with a hyphen,
  2. What middle D would bisect this shall be painted to view.
  1. Who could believe my words? 'Tis shame to confess that the sickle
  2. Yon thief-folk have availed e'en from my fingers to thieve.
  3. Nor doth its loss so much affect my mind or dishonour
  4. As the just, natural dread other my weapons to lose,
  5. Which lost shall I stand mulcted of country, and he that was erewhile
  6. Son of the city to thee, Lampsacus! Gaul shall become.
  1. Thou too dost mock me, Thief! and the infamous
  2. Finger dost point when menacèd by me!
  3. Ah hapless I, that should be only wood
  4. What makes me ever formidable seem!
  5. Yet will I charge my garden's lustful lord
  6. For me deign robber-folk to irrumate.