Priapeia
Priaepia
by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers
- What news be here? what send those angry gods?
- Whenas in silent night that snow-hued boy
- To my warm bosom claspèd lay concealed,
- Venus was dormant nor in manly guise
- My sluggard prickle raised his senile head.
- Art pleased (Priapus!) under leafy tree
- Wont with vine-tendrils sacred sconce to wreathe
- And seat thee ruddy with thy ruddled yard?
- But, O Triphallus, oft with freshest flowers
- Artlessly garlanded thy brow we crowned
- And with loud shouting often drove from thee
- What agèd Raven or what agile 'Daw
- Would peck thy holy face with horny beak.
- Farewell, Priapus! naught to thee owe I
- Farewell, forsaker damn'd of private parts!
- Pale with neglect amid the fields shalt he
- Where savage bandog shall bepiss thee or
- Wild boar shall rub thee with his ribs mud-caked.
- Accursèd Penis! Oh, by whom my pains
- Shall with sore righteous penalty be paid?