Pope Leo X. was particularly fond of Querno, a poet, the author of "The
Alexiad," and who, at an entertainment given by some young men of rank,
had been dignified with the appellation of "The Arch Poet." Leo used
occasionally to send him some dishes from his table; and he was expected
to pay for each dish with a Latin distich. One day, as he was attending
Leo at dinner, and was ill of the gout, he made this line:

_Archi-poeta facit versus pro mille poetis:_

What pains for others the arch poet takes,
He for a thousand poets verses makes.

As Querno hesitated for the next line, the good-humoured Pontiff replied--

_Et pro mille aliis Archi-poeta bibit:_

If for a thousand he's obliged to think,
He chooses for as many more to drink.

Querno, willing to make up for his former deficiency, exclaimed--

_Porrige, quod facient mihi carmina docta Falernum:_

To aid my genius, and my wit refine,
Most Holy Pontiff, pour Falernian wine.

The Pope immediately replied--

_Hoc vinum enervat debilitatque pedes:_