Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. Atones by lusting through the livelong night.
  2. But you, be wary of this place, nor give
  3. More of like offerings lest of hungry hounds
  4. A pack come hurrying here to visit me;
  5. And, when you worship me and godhead mine,
  6. Ye have your very guardians irrumate.
  1. An thou pluck of this orchard fruit to my guarding committed,
  2. How for losing the sweets grieve I thou quickly shalt learn.
  1. Of vergers diligent guard (Priapus!), threat
  2. These robbing loons with thy red amulet.
  1. Not to be moved am I; shouldst thou, Thief, venture on thieving
  2. These big apples, to thee pommes de bragues I will give.
  1. Why, O ye pathic girls, with sidelong oglings observe me?
  2. Never this mentule of mine riseth erect from my groin.
  3. Yet though lifeless now and a pole to no one of service,
  4. Build me an altar and it shall be of service to all.
  1. Right through the middle of lads and of lasses a passage shall pierce
  2. This yard, yet shall it touch bearded ones only aloft.
  1. Dodona is hallowed, Jupiter, to thee;
  2. To Juno Samos and to Dis Mykenae;