Priapeia
Priaepia
by divers poets in English verse and prose. Translated by Sir Richard Burton and Leonard C. Smithers
- Nor even hinder can I; no sooner doth wandering Luna
- Show her full face than bones and ill herbs they hasten to gather.
- I with these eyes espied in sables kilted a-pacing
- Canidia, nude-foot, long hair bestrewing her shoulders,
- Howling with Sagana th' elder (and paleness had rendered the couple
- Horrid of mien); anon both the ground with their talons
- Clawing, and black-fleeced lamb with teeth a-tearing to tatters
- Either began; its gore in a ditch was spillèd, so thereby
- Ghosts might be raised from graves and answers give to their queries.
- Images too there were, this of wool, that of wax, and the greater
- Woollen that seemed with pains about to punish the lesser
- Suppliant standing in wax as one foredoomèd to perish
- After a servile way. One calls on Hecate, th' other
- Summons fell Tisiphone; then mightest thou look upon serpents
- Wriggling with Hell-sluts around, whilst Luna ruddily blushing
- Hid her behind the tall tombs lest she these doings might witness.
- Now if I false in aught be, my head bewrayed with white mutings
- Dropt by the crows and hither repair to bepiss and conskite me
- Julius, frail Pediatia and eke Voranus the robber.
- Why should I mention all and each? how chattered alternate