dublinka

Probably the most famous acrostic in literary history, belongs to Dubliner, Oliver St.John Gogarty, who published an anonymous poem Ode of Welcome in Irish Society in 1900. The poem was ostensibly a salute to soldiers returning from duty - but many Irish believed the soldiers should not have been fighting for the British empire anyhow, and so, hidden down the left hand side is a typical Gogartian quip. Word spread and the magazine sold out in hours.

The Gallant Irish yeoman
Home from the war has come
Each victory gained o'er foeman
Why should our bards be dumb.

How shall we sing their praises
Our glory in their deeds
Renowned their worth amazes
Empire their prowess needs.

So to Old Ireland's hearts and homes
We welcome now our own brave boys
In cot and Hall; neath lordly domes
Love's heroes share once more our joys.

Love is the Lord of all just now
Be he the husband, lover, son,
Each dauntless soul recalls the vow
By which not fame, but love was won.

United now in fond embrace
Salute with joy each well-loved face
Yeoman: in women's hearts you hold the place.

Update: I probably should have said most famous Irish acrostic. I'll cover Poe and Psalm 119 some other time. Thanks Aphidhog.