Chapter 20

Of a boy blind from birth.

A CERTAIN boy blind from birth, with one directing his steps and his father and mother accompanying him, was brought to the solemnity of the glorious apostle. And as he entered the church he fell to the earth and there awhile began to turn himself now this way, now that. Without delay, beneath the hand of the Heavenly Physician, who lighteth every man as he cometh into this world -- in whose light we all see light -- the inborn darkness fled away, and while blood flowed down from his eyes over his cheeks, the light of his two eyes was not wholly restored to him but [light] then for the first time was conferred on the boy. With eyes opened he knew the parents whom he had never seen, and called all things severally by their proper names.

 

The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's, Smithfield Rendered into Modern English from the original Latin version preserved in the British Museum, numbered Vespasian B. IX, by Mr. Humphrey H. King and Mr. William Barnard for use in the Records of St. Bartholomew's Priory by E.A. Webb.

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