Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. What news be here? what send those angry gods?
  2. Whenas in silent night that snow-hued boy
  3. To my warm bosom claspèd lay concealed,
  4. Venus was dormant nor in manly guise
  5. My sluggard prickle raised his senile head.
  6. Art pleased (Priapus!) under leafy tree
  7. Wont with vine-tendrils sacred sconce to wreathe
  8. And seat thee ruddy with thy ruddled yard?
  9. But, O Triphallus, oft with freshest flowers
  10. Artlessly garlanded thy brow we crowned
  11. And with loud shouting often drove from thee
  12. What agèd Raven or what agile 'Daw
  13. Would peck thy holy face with horny beak.
  14. Farewell, Priapus! naught to thee owe I
  15. Farewell, forsaker damn'd of private parts!
  16. Pale with neglect amid the fields shalt he
  17. Where savage bandog shall bepiss thee or
  18. Wild boar shall rub thee with his ribs mud-caked.
  19. Accursèd Penis! Oh, by whom my pains
  20. Shall with sore righteous penalty be paid?