Computus

The Antikythera Mechanism
Ancient Analog Computer c. 87 bc
From Wikipedia.org

 

 

An ecclesiastical calculus

Reckons the Christian chronometry

By fixing when Easter arrives for us

Through observed lunisolar geometry

 

Irregular rhythms pace earth through her turn

Of seasonal stagger and end-to-end splice

Rugged genius of ancients determined to learn

How to stabilize time with mathematic device

 

Using epacts against the Greek metonic scale

They divined Golden Numbers for interval years

Setting forth sacred calendars that would prevail

Until Gaussian modules predicted the spheres

 

Now modern computers make small work of time

Arcane mists of the mystics dispelled from the air

What might those deep thinkers have fashioned sublime

With a laptop and algorithmician honed flair