# Engraved inscriptions

Inscriptions frame the figures and run along the ends of the cross. If the first identify the characters by consecrated expressions, the second are taken from a poem by Petrus Riga (Floridus Aspectus), whose verses form a commentary on the animal allegories associated with the evangelists. To engrave these verses on the cross, the goldsmith may have had before his eyes a copy of the poem, belonging to the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Clairmarais and now kept in the library of Saint-Omer.

### Salvador Mundi (SM):

"A + ω EGO SUM A ω PRINCIPIUM ET FINIS" (Alpha + Omega I am the alpha and the omega the principle and the end).

### The Evangelists:

E1 "+ IOHANNES APOSTOLUS" (John the apostle) and, around, "IOHANNES APOSTOLUS ET EVVANGELISTAS VIRGO DEI ELECTUS" (John the apostle and the evangelist, chaste elect of God)

E2 "+ MARCUS EVVANGELISTA" (Mark the Evangelist) and, around, "EFFIGIAT MARCUS LEO CUIUS LITTERA CLAMAT QUANTA SURREXIT UI TUA CHRISTE EARO" (The lion represents Mark whose writings proclaim with what force your flesh, Christ, is resurrected)

E3 "+ LUCAS EVVANGELISTA" (Luke the Evangelist) and, around, "OS VITULI LUCAM DECLARAT QUI SPECIALEM MATERIAM SUMPSIT DE CRUCE CHRISTE TUA" (The face of the calf represents Luke who drew all the material for his writings from the cross, Christ)

E4 "+ MATTHEUS EVVANGELISTA" (Matthew the Evangelist) and, around, "MATTHEO SPECIES HUMANA DATUR QUIA SCRIPTO INDICAT E TITULO QUID DEO EGIT HOMO" (Human nature is given to Matthew because he shows in his writings how God acted in male)

### The Crucifixion:

C1 "+ SANCTA MARIA" (+ Holy Mary) and, around the Virgin, the beginning of the Gospel greeting: "AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM BENEDICTA TU IN MULIERIBUS ET BENED..." (Hail Mary, full of grace , the Lord is with you, you are blessed among women and blessed...)

C2 "+ IOHANNES APOSTELUS (sic)" (John the apostle) and, around John: "DISCIPULUM SIGNAT SPECIES AQUILINA PUDICUM VOX CUIUS NUBES TRANSIT AD ASTRA VOLAN(S) (The eagle designates the chaste disciple whose voice crosses the clouds in flying to the stars).

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