Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. Her milk-distended udders to the town:
  2. Out of my sheep-cotes ta'en the fatted lamb
  3. Sends home with silver right-hand heavily charged;
  4. And, while its mother lows, the tender calf
  5. Before the temples of the Gods must bleed.
  6. Hence of such Godhead (traveller!), stand in awe;
  7. Best it befits thee off to keep thy hands.
  8. Thy cross is ready, shaped as artless yard;
  9. 'I'm willing 'faith' (thou say'st) but 'faith here comes
  10. The boor and plucking forth with bended arm
  11. Makes of this tool a club for doughty hand.
  1. This place, O youths, I protect, nor less this turf-builded cottage,