Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. First a wild-fig-tree trunk was I, not useful as timber,
  2. When the mechanic in doubt anent making me stool or Priapus
  3. Chose me for being a god; so a god to the thieves and the birdies
  4. Direst of dreads I became, my right the robbers restraining,
  5. Eke with a ruddy pole from parts obscenely projected,
  6. While th' importunate fowls affrights a reed on my head-poll