Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. A starveling stranger made me laughing-stock,
  2. Bringing me cakes and spelt with salt bestrown;
  3. Then, having scattered part upon the fire,
  4. Forthright he hied him, duty duly done.
  5. Hereat a neighbour's bitch incontinent comes--
  6. Led by the savour of the smoke, I ween--
  7. And gobbling all that offering to my yard
  8. Atones by lusting through the livelong night.
  9. But you, be wary of this place, nor give
  10. More of like offerings lest of hungry hounds
  11. A pack come hurrying here to visit me;
  12. And, when you worship me and godhead mine,
  13. Ye have your very guardians irrumate.
  1. An thou pluck of this orchard fruit to my guarding committed,
  2. How for losing the sweets grieve I thou quickly shalt learn.
  1. Of vergers diligent guard (Priapus!), threat
  2. These robbing loons with thy red amulet.
  1. Not to be moved am I; shouldst thou, Thief, venture on thieving
  2. These big apples, to thee pommes de bragues I will give.
  1. Why, O ye pathic girls, with sidelong oglings observe me?