Priapeia
Priaepia
by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers
- Hadst thou as many of apples as offers of verses (Priapus!),
- Richer than Alcinous ancient of days were thy lot.
- Why, cultivator, vainly moan to me
- That I, a fruitful apple-tree whilom,
- For two autumnal seasons barren stand?
- Weighs me not down (as deemest thou) old age
- Nor am I floggèd by the hailstone hard,
- Nor yet my burgeon-gems a-budding new
- Are burnt by rigours of a wintry spring:
- Neither the winds nor rains nor yet the droughts
- Caused just complaining to the apple-tree;
- Nor me the starling or the robber 'Daw
- Or crow as crone old-grown or watery goose
- Or thirsty raven e'er endamagèd.
- No! but from bearing scribblers' rubbish verse
- On labouring branches comes mine every woe.
- Sleep, O ye watchdogs! safe, while aid in guarding the garden
- Lover his leman beloved, Seirius Erigone.