Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. What shouldest say this spear (although I'm wooden) be wishing
  2. Whenas a maiden chance me in the middle to kiss?
  3. Here none augur we: need: believe my word she is saying -
  4. 'Let the rude spear in me work with its natural wont!'
  1. Whenas the Rigid God espied a wight
  2. Crisping his head with curling-tongs aglow
  3. That he be likest to a Moorish maid,
  4. 'Ho thou! (cried he) we tell thee, catamite;
  5. However much thou toast and curl thyself
  6. Is then a damsel more of worth, I ask,
  7. Than are the hairy honours of thy yard?'
  1. Ho girl! no whiter-skinned than Moorish man
  2. Yet, Oh! than every pathic softer far;
  3. Squatter than Pygmey fearful of the crane;