Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. This is to hurt while helping, this is but
  2. To scare the birdies from the birder's snare.
  3. The way is closèd nor prone-fallen thief
  4. Can with his backside expiate his crime.
  5. Thus I who erstwhile ever, ever and aye
  6. Buttocks of plundering wights was wont to cleave,
  7. For many a night and day in idlesse stand.
  8. I also, suffering pains enough and more,
  9. Flow off in semen and a lecher whiles
  10. Unlive my life-tide. Who could ever think
  11. From lute the lutanist should cut him clear?
  12. But you, ereeld's marasmus do me dead,
  13. Desist, I pray you from vain diligence,
  14. Nor hang a buckle on Priapus' yard.
  1. The Gods and Goddesses deny thy teeth
  2. A bait, a whetting, neighbour cunnilinge!
  3. Thro' whom my girl (once strong and never false,
  4. But with her swift untiring paces wont
  5. To visit us), that hapless Labdacé,
  6. Swears for her ditches she can hardly crawl.