Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. 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;
  3. While Taenarus' billowy seas confess the King.