And the World Knew Him Not

This episode of Anthony Esolen Speaks — free to everyone today — is a reading from my book, In the Beginning Was the Word. The scripture reference for this meditation is John 1:10: “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”

OH all ye, who passe by, whose eyes and minde
To worldly things are sharp, but to me blinde;
To me, who took eyes that I might you finde:
      Was ever grief like mine?

Yet my Disciples sleep; I cannot gain
One houre of watching; but their drowsie brain
Comforts not me, and doth my doctrine stain:
      Was ever grief like mine?

Behold, they spit on me in scornfull wise,
Who by my spittle gave the blinde man eies,
Leaving his blindnesse to my enemies:
      Was ever grief like mine?

My face they cover, though it be divine.
As Moses face was vailed, so is mine,
Lest on their double-dark souls either shine:
      Was ever grief like mine?

From "The Sacrifice" (George Herbert, The Temple, 1633)

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“Agony in the Garden,” Andrea Mantegna. Public domain.

Word & Song by Anthony Esolen is an online magazine devoted to reclaiming the good, the beautiful, and the true. We publish six essays each week, on words, classic hymns, poems, films, and popular songs, as well a weekly podcast on Fridays for paid subscribers. Paid subscribers also receive audio-enhanced posts and access to our full archive and to comments and discussions. To support this project, please join us as a free or paid subscriber. We value all of our subscribers, and we thank you for reading Word and Song!

In the Beginning was the Word