ACROSTIC, a poetical composition, dis posed in such a manner that the initial letters of each line, taken in order, form a person's name or other complete word or words. This kind of poetical trifling was very popular with the French poets from the time of Francis I until Louis XIV. Among other English writers, Sir John Davies, who lived in the 16th century, amused himself in this way. He produced 26 pieces called 'Hymns to Astrea,' each of them forming an acrostic upon the words Elisabetha Regina. The following is an example: B ternal virgin, goddess true, L et me presume to sing to you.
I ove, e'en great Jove, path leisure S ometimea to hear the vulgar crew, A nd heed them oft with Veasure.
B leased Astreal I in part B njoy the blessings you impart.
T he peace, the milk and honey, H umanity and civil art, A richer dow'r than money.
fight glad am I that now I live, B 'en in these days whereto you give G rest happiness and glory; I f after you I should be born, N o doubt I should my birthday scorn, A dmiring your sweet story.
In the Old Testament there are 12 psalms written according to this principle. Of these the 119th Psalm is the most remarkable; it con sists of 22 stanzas, each of which commences with a Hebrew letter and is called by its name. Acrostic verse is no longer cultivated by serious poets, and has in fact been relegated mainly to country newspapers, except as a jest or social pastime. Edgar Allen Poe, however, wrote some striking acrostics, varying the form with great ingenuity. One example, beginning with the first letter of the first line, the second of the second, and so on, forms a lady's name.