Priapeia
Priaepia
by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers
- Shall spring (howe'er thou may oppose) for thee
- A fig-tree grafted from this cypress-stem.
- A robber famed for greed exceeding wonder
- (Eke a Cilician) would this garden plunder;
- Yet in its vasty space, Fabullus, naught
- Save a Priapus stood in marble wrought
- So the Cilician, who with hand sans pelf
- Scornèd departing, stole Priapus' self.
- Carved me no rustic boor his artless sickle a-plying:
- Here of the bailiff thou see'st noble and notable work;
- For that the wealthiest swain who owns the lands Caërétan
- (Hilarus) holds these hills sloping in sunniest folds.
- See with my well-shaped face how seem I not to be wooden,
- Nor do I bear belly-tools fitted for kitchen or fire:
- Nay; my perpetual yard of cypress perishing never
- Rises for ever and aye worthy the Phidian hand.
- You, O ye neighbours, I warn to adore me, holy Priapus,
- And to these acres twice seven show ye the highest respect.
- An thou would fain go filled thou mayest devour our Priapus;
- Even consume his yard--pure thou shalt ever remain.