In a small work, entitled Specimens of Macaronic Poetry, 8vo., 1831, the verses quoted by "O." are stated to have been written by some poet (not named) in praise of Pope Clement VI. or Pius II., but of which learned authorities do not agree. It seems the poet was afraid he might not receive such a reward as, according to his own estimate, he deserved, and therefore retained the power of converting his flattery into abuse, by simply giving
his friends the cue to commence from the last word, and begin backwards. The following are other verses of the same sort:—
AD JULIUM III. PONTIFICEM MAXIMUM.
"Pontifici sua sint Divino Numine tuto
Culmina, nec montes hos petat omnipotens."
AD CAROLUM V. CAESAREM.
"Cæsareum tibi sit felici sidere nomen,
Carole, nec fatum sit tibi Cæsareum."
W. G. S.
"O." is referred to a low and scurrilous translation, or rather imitation of the epigrams of Martial and others, purporting to be "by the Rev. Mr. Scott, M.A.," and published in London in 1773.