An acrostic is a group of phrases, words, or most often, verses, the first letters of which when taken consecutively form a word, name, phrase, or other predetermined entity. If a series of final letters forms an additional such entity, it is termed a double acrostic. If the middle letters also form a word it is a triple acrostic.
Below is an 1850 acrostic by Nathaniel Dearborn, the first letter of each line spelling the name of the Swedish singer "JENNY LIND."
The term acrostic was first applied to the obscure prophecies of the Erythraean Sibyl written on loose leaves, which made a word when sorted into order.
There are a number of acrostic poems found in the Bible that we completely miss in English translations. For example each first thing a famous passage about the excellent wife in Proverbs 31:10-31 begins with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. It is the Hebrew way of saying, this is the complete A to Z on a topic.
There is an acrostic secreted in the Dutch national anthem "Het Wilhelmus" (The William). The first letters of its fifteen stanzas spell WILLEM VAN NASSOV. This was one of the hereditary titles of William of Orange (William the Silent), who was the main leader of the Dutch Revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that set off the Eighty Years' War. "Het Wilhelmus" was originally a propaganda song for William.
Edgar Allan Poe wrote several acrostic poems for the amusement of female admirers. This one entitled simply "An Acrostic" was never published during his lifetime. It was discovered by James H. Whitty, who included it in his 1911 edition of Poe’s poems.
Elizabeth it is in vain you say
"Love not"—thou sayest it in so sweet a way:
In vain those words from thee or L.E.L.
Zantippe's talents had enforced so well:
Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,
Breath it less gently forth—and veil thine eyes.
Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried
To cure his love—was cured of all beside—
His follie—pride—and passion—for he died.
Below is an 1850 acrostic by Nathaniel Dearborn, the first letter of each line spelling the name of the Swedish singer "JENNY LIND."
The term acrostic was first applied to the obscure prophecies of the Erythraean Sibyl written on loose leaves, which made a word when sorted into order.
There are a number of acrostic poems found in the Bible that we completely miss in English translations. For example each first thing a famous passage about the excellent wife in Proverbs 31:10-31 begins with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. It is the Hebrew way of saying, this is the complete A to Z on a topic.
There is an acrostic secreted in the Dutch national anthem "Het Wilhelmus" (The William). The first letters of its fifteen stanzas spell WILLEM VAN NASSOV. This was one of the hereditary titles of William of Orange (William the Silent), who was the main leader of the Dutch Revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that set off the Eighty Years' War. "Het Wilhelmus" was originally a propaganda song for William.
Edgar Allan Poe wrote several acrostic poems for the amusement of female admirers. This one entitled simply "An Acrostic" was never published during his lifetime. It was discovered by James H. Whitty, who included it in his 1911 edition of Poe’s poems.
Elizabeth it is in vain you say
"Love not"—thou sayest it in so sweet a way:
In vain those words from thee or L.E.L.
Zantippe's talents had enforced so well:
Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,
Breath it less gently forth—and veil thine eyes.
Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried
To cure his love—was cured of all beside—
His follie—pride—and passion—for he died.
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