MANY OP THE CROWD.
Peace. Blind Bartimeus!
Do not disturb the Master.
BARTIMEUS, crying more vehemently.
Son of David,
Have mercy on me!
The Annotated Edition
MANY OP THE CROWD. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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This brief dramatic excerpt from Longfellow's retelling of the Gospel depicts a blind beggar named Bartimaeus calling out to Jesus, even though the crowd urges him to be quiet.
- Themes
- courage, faith, identity
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
This brief dramatic excerpt from Longfellow's retelling of the Gospel depicts a blind beggar named Bartimaeus calling out to Jesus, even though the crowd urges him to be quiet. Undeterred, he cries out even more loudly for mercy. It's a small yet impactful moment that captures the themes of persistence and faith against societal pressure.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
Peace. Blind Bartimeus! / Do not disturb the Master.
Editor's note
The crowd here is trying to silence Bartimaeus. The word "Peace" comes across as a sharp command rather than a hopeful plea for calm — it effectively means *shut up*. Referring to him as "Blind Bartimaeus" feels dismissive, as though his disability defines and diminishes him. "Do not disturb the Master" shows the crowd's instinct to gatekeep: they see themselves as guardians of Jesus's time and attention, believing a blind beggar doesn't deserve any of it.
Son of David, / Have mercy on me!
Editor's note
Bartimaeus completely disregards the crowd and cries out even louder. "Son of David" is a title that signifies the Messiah—by using it, Bartimaeus demonstrates his belief in Jesus' identity, which surpasses what many sighted people around him have achieved. "Have mercy on me" is straightforward and to the point: there's no flattery or lengthy explanation, just a heartfelt plea. The simplicity of his request amplifies its urgency and humanity.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
The tone shifts dramatically between the two voices. The crowd's lines are short and dismissive, dripping with impatience and even a touch of contempt. In contrast, Bartimaeus's lines are urgent and unapologetic. The overall effect is tense and emotionally charged, especially given the poem's brevity; it feels like witnessing someone fighting to stay visible.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- Blindness
- Bartimaeus's physical blindness is set against his keen spiritual insight — he acknowledges Jesus as the Son of David when those around him do not. In this context, blindness symbolizes the difference between what is seen on the surface and what is understood within.
- The crowd
- The crowd embodies social conformity and controls access to power. They determine who deserves entry and who doesn't, wielding social pressure — the demand for silence — as their weapon.
- The cry for mercy
- The repeated, escalating cry represents a faith that won’t be snuffed out by shame or rejection. It embodies every plea from those whom society has marginalized.
§06Historical context
Historical context
Longfellow published his dramatic poem *Christus: A Mystery* in 1872, a sweeping trilogy he dedicated decades to crafting. This excerpt is part of that larger work, which dramatizes scenes from Christ's life and the early Christian church. Longfellow focused more on the moral and spiritual aspects of the Gospel stories than on strict theology. The story of Blind Bartimaeus, found in the Gospel of Mark (10:46–52), is a familiar episode where a blind beggar near Jericho cries out to Jesus, gets rebuked by the crowd, shouts even louder, and ultimately receives healing. Longfellow's rendition distills the scene to its essential dramatic elements, giving voice to both the dismissive crowd and the resolute beggar. By the 1870s, Longfellow had become America’s most widely read poet, and *Christus* was his most ambitious literary endeavor.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
Bartimaeus is a blind beggar mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of Mark. He sits by the roadside close to Jericho and shouts for Jesus as he walks by. In the original tale, Jesus pauses, calls him over, and gives him back his sight. Longfellow captures the dramatic moment just before this miracle occurs.
The crowd sees themselves as self-appointed gatekeepers. They believe a blind beggar is too unworthy to approach Jesus, or that his shouting might be embarrassing and disruptive. This reveals a common human tendency to judge who should receive the attention of those in power.
It’s a messianic title from Jewish scripture, referring to the promised king from the line of King David. By using it, Bartimaeus is openly proclaiming his belief that Jesus is the Messiah—a bold statement, especially since the crowd is trying to silence him.
The stage direction indicates he cries "more vehemently," demonstrating that the crowd's rejection only fuels his determination. This is the dramatic and moral heart of the scene: social pressure cannot diminish true faith and need.
This is a snippet from Longfellow's extensive dramatic work *Christus: A Mystery* (1872), which unfolds like a play featuring various characters. This excerpt represents just one brief scene within that broader narrative.
Faith and persistence despite social exclusion. Bartimaeus faces double marginalization — he’s blind and poor — but he won’t accept the crowd's judgment that he doesn’t matter. His voice pierces through the chaos.
As a dramatic fragment, it seizes a powerful moment instead of unfolding a complete narrative. Longfellow expects readers to recognize the biblical reference. This conciseness heightens the tension: two lines of silence, two lines of defiance, and that's it.
It suggests that true faith doesn’t shy away from challenging social norms. Bartimaeus doesn’t whisper to appease the crowd; instead, he raises his voice. The poem subtly points out that those who attempt to control access to grace are often the ones who grasp it the least.
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