Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. And glaucous olive-tree in bitter cold.
  2. The dainty she-goat from my pasture bears
  3. Her milk-distended udders to the town:
  4. Out of my sheep-cotes ta'en the fatted lamb
  5. Sends home with silver right-hand heavily charged;
  6. And, while its mother lows, the tender calf
  7. Before the temples of the Gods must bleed.
  8. Hence of such Godhead (traveller!), stand in awe;
  9. Best it befits thee off to keep thy hands.
  10. Thy cross is ready, shaped as artless yard;
  11. 'I'm willing 'faith' (thou say'st) but 'faith here comes