Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. Form-charms in Mercury have might to please;
  2. Form in Apollo is conspicuous charm;
  3. Formose in picture is Lyaeus limned
  4. And Cupid most formose of all is shown.
  5. Freely of lovely form the lack I own;
  6. Yet is our mentule a resplendent gem;
  7. And this to th'erst-named gods shall aye prefer
  8. The damsel dowered with no fatuous coynte.
  1. Yon Telethusa befamèd amid the damsels Suburran
  2. (Who by her gains I hold freedwoman now is become)
  3. Girds with a gilded crown, O Holy! thine inguinal organ,
  4. Held by the pathic girls like in degree to a god.
  1. Whoso comes hither shall a bard become
  2. And to me dedicate facetious verse;
  3. But who thiswise doth not, 'mid learnèd poets
  4. Shall pace with fundament fulfilled of 'figs'.
  1. Bailiff Aristagoras of his grapes high-pedigree'd boasting
  2. Apples moulded in wax giveth, O Godhead, to thee:
  3. But thou, pleased with the fruit in effigy placed on thine altar,
  4. Genuine 'fruit' vouchsafe he, O Priapus! shall bear.