Laudator Temporis Acti

Livy 25.12.8-10 ≈ Macrobius, Saturnalia 1.17.28 (on the prophecies of Marcius, 213 BC; tr. J.C. Yardley):

The second prophecy was then read out. This was not only more difficult to fathom because the future is less clear than the past, but was also more cryptic in the way it was written: 'Romans: If you wish to drive out the enemy, the tumour that comes from afar, my advice is to dedicate games to Apollo, annual games to be held with good cheer in Apollo's honour. When the people have given part from the public purse, then let private individuals contribute for themselves and their relatives. The praetor who will be dispensing supreme justice to the people and plebeians shall be in charge of the conduct of such games. The decemvirs should offer sacrifice after the Greek manner. If you do this correctly, you shall rejoice for ever, and your circumstances shall improve. For he will wipe out your enemies, that one of the gods who gently nourishes your fields.'

tum alterum carmen recitatum, non eo tantum obscurius quia incertiora futura praeteritis sunt sed perplexius etiam scripturae genere. 'hostis, Romani, si expellere voltis, vomicam quae gentium venit longe, Apollini vovendos censeo ludos, qui quotannis comiter Apollini fiant; cum populus dederit ex publico partem, privati uti conferant pro se atque suis; iis ludis faciendis praeerit praetor is quis ius populo plebeique dabit summum; decemviri Graeco ritu hostiis sacra faciant. hoc si recte facietis, gaudebitis semper fietque res vestra melior; nam is deum exstinguet perduellis vestros qui vestros campos pascit placide.'

Oxford Latin Dictionary, s.v. uomica:

a gathering of pus, an abscess, boil, etc.

Here the tumor is Hannibal and his army.

See Federico Russo, "I Carmina Marciana e le tradizioni sui Marcii," La Parola del Passato, vol. 60, no. 340 (2005) 5-32.