Priapeia
Priaepia
by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers
- 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?
- Never this mentule of mine riseth erect from my groin.
- Yet though lifeless now and a pole to no one of service,
- Build me an altar and it shall be of service to all.
- Right through the middle of lads and of lasses a passage shall pierce
- This yard, yet shall it touch bearded ones only aloft.
- Dodona is hallowed, Jupiter, to thee;
- To Juno Samos and to Dis Mykenae;
- While Taenarus' billowy seas confess the King.
- Pallas preserveth the Cecropian towers;
- Pythius Delphos, navel of the world;
- Delia the Cretan Isle and Cynthian hills;
- Faunus hath Maenalos and Arcadian groves.
- Rhodos is happy protégé of Sol;