Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. And if a rogue come rob our field or venture to trespass
  2. Him thou may'st--Hush! for I know whatso shall follow thou know'st.
  1. What news be here? what send those angry gods?
  2. Whenas in silent night that snow-hued boy
  3. To my warm bosom claspèd lay concealed,
  4. Venus was dormant nor in manly guise
  5. My sluggard prickle raised his senile head.
  6. Art pleased (Priapus!) under leafy tree
  7. Wont with vine-tendrils sacred sconce to wreathe
  8. And seat thee ruddy with thy ruddled yard?
  9. But, O Triphallus, oft with freshest flowers
  10. Artlessly garlanded thy brow we crowned
  11. And with loud shouting often drove from thee
  12. What agèd Raven or what agile 'Daw
  13. Would peck thy holy face with horny beak.