John Wolcot (Peter Pindar) with a copy of his 'Odes' in his pocket, shrinks from an approaching gentleman with a paper labelled 'pension'. Etching attributed to T. Rowlandson, ca. 1787.

Wolcot was originally a country surgeon's son who led a bohemian life on the confines of society. He began his career as a physician but was later ordained in the hope of a living. Wolcot had an eye for art and discovered and trained the painter Opie, with whom he came to London in 1781 on condition that he received half of Opie's profits. They quarrelled and Wolcot was forced to make a living from his satirical jibes, the most successful of which was his 'Ode upon Ode' of 1782. His success was hampered by legal threats and negotiations for a pension which broke down as the verse below indicates