Priapeia
Priaepia
by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers
- Which of ye men be the best so that my man he become.'
- Thy heart, Penelope, right sure by such pow'r I had pleasèd,
- But at the time not yet had I been made of mankind.
- When the fig's honied sweet thy taste shall catch
- And hither tempt thee hand of thee to stretch;
- Glance at my nature, Thief! and estimate
- The mentule thou must cack and what's it weight.
- A starveling stranger made me laughing-stock,
- Bringing me cakes and spelt with salt bestrown;
- Then, having scattered part upon the fire,
- Forthright he hied him, duty duly done.
- Hereat a neighbour's bitch incontinent comes--
- Led by the savour of the smoke, I ween--
- And gobbling all that offering to my yard
- Atones by lusting through the livelong night.
- But you, be wary of this place, nor give
- More of like offerings lest of hungry hounds
- A pack come hurrying here to visit me;
- And, when you worship me and godhead mine,
- Ye have your very guardians irrumate.