Priapeia
Priaepia
by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers
- 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.
- An thou pluck of this orchard fruit to my guarding committed,
- How for losing the sweets grieve I thou quickly shalt learn.
- Of vergers diligent guard (Priapus!), threat
- These robbing loons with thy red amulet.
- Not to be moved am I; shouldst thou, Thief, venture on thieving
- These big apples, to thee pommes de bragues I will give.
- Why, O ye pathic girls, with sidelong oglings observe me?