Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. Why, cultivator, vainly moan to me
  2. That I, a fruitful apple-tree whilom,
  3. For two autumnal seasons barren stand?
  4. Weighs me not down (as deemest thou) old age
  5. Nor am I floggèd by the hailstone hard,
  6. Nor yet my burgeon-gems a-budding new
  7. Are burnt by rigours of a wintry spring:
  8. Neither the winds nor rains nor yet the droughts
  9. Caused just complaining to the apple-tree;
  10. Nor me the starling or the robber 'Daw
  11. Or crow as crone old-grown or watery goose
  12. Or thirsty raven e'er endamagèd.