CHRONOGRAMMATIC PASQUINADE.
On the election of Pope Leo X., in 1440, the following satirical acrostic appeared, to mark the date
M C C C C X L.
Multi Cœci Cardinales Creaverunt Cœcum Decimum (X) Leonem.
MONASTIC VERSE.
The merit of this fine specimen will be found in its being at the same time acrostic, mesostic, and telestic.
| Inter cuncta micans | Igniti sidera cœlI |
| Expellit tenebras | E toto Phœbus ut orbE; |
| Sic cæcas removet | JESUS caliginis umbraS, |
| Vivificansque simul | Vero præcordia motV, |
| Solem justitiæ | Sese probat esse beatiS. |
The following translation preserves the acrostic and mesostic, though not the telestic form of the original:—
| In glory see the rising sun, | Illustrious orb of day, |
| Enlightening heaven’s wide expanse, | Expel night’s gloom away. |
| So light into the darkest soul, | JESUS, Thou dost impart, |
| Uplifting Thy life-giving smiles | Upon the deadened heart: |
| Sun Thou of Righteousness Divine, | Sole King of Saints Thou art. |
