[408] Those who are curious to study this subject further, should consult the two exhaustive works of Octave Delepierre, Macaronéana (Paris, 1852), and Macaronéana Andra (Londres, Trübner, 1862). These two publications contain a history of Maccaronic verse, with reprints of the scarcer poems in this style. The second gives the best text of Odassi, Fossa, and the Virgiliana. The Maccheronee di Cinque Poeti Italiani (Milano, Daelli, 1864), is a useful little book, since it reproduces Delepierre's collections in a cheap and convenient form. In the uncertainty which attends the spelling of this word, I have adopted the form Maccaronic.
[409] Take one example, from the induction to Odassi's poems (Mac. Andr. p. 63):
|
O putanarum putanissima, vacca vaccarum, O potifarum potissima pota potaza ... Tu Phrosina mihi foveas, mea sola voluptas; Nulla mihi poterit melius succurrere Musa, Nullus Apollo magis. |
[410] The book was first printed at Vicenza. The copy I have studied is the Florentine edition of 1574. Scrofa's verses, detached from the collection, may be found in the Parnaso Italiano, vol. xxv.
[411] Op. cit. p. 23.
[412] Bernardino Scardeone in his work De antiquitate urbis Patavii, etc. (Basileæ, 1560), speaks of Odassi as the inventor of Maccaronic poetry: "adinvenit enim primus ridiculum carminis genus, nunquam prius a quopiam excogitatum, quod Macaronæum nuncupavit, multis farcitum salibus, et satyrica mordacitate respersum." He adds that Odassi desired on his deathbed that the book should be burned. In spite of this wish, it was frequently reprinted during Scardeone's lifetime.
[413] It is with great regret that I omit Bertapalia, the charlatan—a portrait executed with inimitable verve. Students of Italian life in its lowest and liveliest details should seek him out. Mac. Andr. pp. 68-71.
[414] Ibid. p. 71. I have altered spelling and punctuation.
|
Cognosces in me quantum tua numina possunt, Quæque tua veniunt stilantia carmina pota. |