_Buro, Berto, Beriora_ (Vol. v., p. 395.).--A satisfactory explanation
of these three words is much to be desired, as they have puzzled the
antiquary, the linguist, and the classical scholar for nearly forty
years. They remind me of a similar case I met with in my reading not
long ago. The word _Ilpadelt_, painted on the windows of the church of
the Celestines at Marconcies, was the puzzle of all that read it, till
one day a Turk, who had received baptism, and was in the suite of
Francis I., came to Marconcies in the year 1523, and discovered that the
word was _Syriac_, and that it meant "God is my hope;" which explanation
was registered in the abbey library. These words had been the motto of
John de Montaign, who had founded the abbey, and enriched it with many
valuable treasures, according to a vow he had made during the sickness
of Charles VI.
However, if it will not disconcert the learned, I will, _audax omnia
perpati_, venture upon a conjecture as to the meaning of these hidden
words. Ought not the first letters, thought to be _Bu_, in reality to be
read _Pro_? in which case the legend will be _Pro Roberti Beri ora_,
_i.e._ pray for Robert Berry; and the ring will be a mourning ring.
While on this subject, I may add that the inscribed rings, commonly
called _talismanic_ or _cabalistic_ rings, are improperly so designated.
The Latin term is much more appropriate, "annuli vertuosi." Perhaps
_mystical_ might be a suitable name.