Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. And with a futtering crew alway thy palace was filled:
  2. Then that thou learn of these which were most potent of swiving,
  3. Wont wast thou to bespeak, saying to suitors erect--
  4. 'Than my Ulysses none was better at drawing the bowstring
  5. Whether by muscles of side or by superior skill;
  6. And, as he now is deceased, do ye all draw and inform me
  7. Which of ye men be the best so that my man he become.'
  8. Thy heart, Penelope, right sure by such pow'r I had pleasèd,
  9. But at the time not yet had I been made of mankind.
  1. When the fig's honied sweet thy taste shall catch
  2. And hither tempt thee hand of thee to stretch;
  3. Glance at my nature, Thief! and estimate
  4. The mentule thou must cack and what's it weight.
  1. A starveling stranger made me laughing-stock,
  2. Bringing me cakes and spelt with salt bestrown;
  3. Then, having scattered part upon the fire,
  4. Forthright he hied him, duty duly done.
  5. Hereat a neighbour's bitch incontinent comes--
  6. Led by the savour of the smoke, I ween--
  7. And gobbling all that offering to my yard