Priapeia

Priaepia

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

  1. This foul spot to behaunt, a cause of such care and such trouble
  2. As are the hags who by spells and poisons upset and envenom
  3. Spirits and minds of mankind; these nowise bring to perdition
  4. Nor even hinder can I; no sooner doth wandering Luna
  5. Show her full face than bones and ill herbs they hasten to gather.
  6. I with these eyes espied in sables kilted a-pacing
  7. Canidia, nude-foot, long hair bestrewing her shoulders,
  8. Howling with Sagana th' elder (and paleness had rendered the couple
  9. Horrid of mien); anon both the ground with their talons
  10. Clawing, and black-fleeced lamb with teeth a-tearing to tatters
  11. Either began; its gore in a ditch was spillèd, so thereby