The following hymn was composed by a Christian monk during the middle ages:—
THE CROSS.
Curious Piece of Antiquity, on the Crucifixion of our Saviour and the two Thieves.
EXPLANATION.
The middle cross represents our Saviour; those on either side, the two thieves. On the top and down the middle cross are our Saviour's expression, "My God! My God! why hast thou forsaken me?" and on the top of the cross is the Latin inscription "INRI"—Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judæorum, i. e. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Upon the cross on the right-hand is the prayer of one of the thieves:—"Lord! remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." On the left-hand cross is the saying, or reproach, of the other: "If thou beest the Christ, save thyself and us." The whole, comprised together, makes a piece of excellent poetry, which is to be read across all the columns, and makes as many lines as there are letters in the alphabet. It is perhaps one of the most curious pieces of composition to be found on record.
Copy of a Letter written by Cardinal Richelieu to the French Ambassador at Rome.
First read the letter across, then double it in the middle, and read the first column.