Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. Bearded kid and anon some horny-hoofed nanny shall sprinkle.
  2. Wherefore Priapus is bound to requite such honours by service,
  3. Doing his duty to guard both vineyard and garth of his lordling.
  4. Here then, O lads, reftain from ill-mannered picking and stealing;
  5. Rich be the neighbour-hind and negligent eke his Priapus;
  6. Take what be his: this path hence leadeth straight to his ownings.
  1. This grove to thee devote I give, Priapus!
  2. Whose home be Lampsacus and holt, Priapus!
  3. For thee in cities worship most the shores
  4. Of Hellespont the richest oystery strand.
  1. Thou who with prickle affrightest men and passives with sickle!
  2. Of the secluded spot deign the few acres to guard;
  3. So may the veteran thieves ne'er force their way to thine orchards;
  4. Only come lad or lass lovely with longest of locks.
  1. I am not hewèd of the fragile elm
  2. Nor is this post supine with rigid vein
  3. Carved out of any wood thou please to take;
  4. But 'tis engendered by live cypress-tree