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Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · English Edition

Thomas Traherne

Centuries of Meditations

Annotated Edition · With an Introduction, Notes and an Outline.

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Centuries of MeditationsTextual Notes · Part 2

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English Edition · Branch 444 of 454

Textual Notes · Part 2

Centuries of Meditations

p. 444

I.42. Want in God is a treasure to us. for Want in God is treasure to us.. Omitted by Dobell; the words are in the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.47. To prize them when they are gone produceth envy, covetousness for To prize them when they are gone, envy, covetousness. Omitted by Dobell; the words are in the manuscript.

I.49. differeth from theirs, who prize and have not for differeth from others, who prize and have not. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.49. their senses are lain asleep for their senses are laid asleep. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.54. The Omnipresence of God is his House for The Omnipotence of God is his House. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.55. And therefore is the presence of the understanding endless for And therefore in the presence of the understanding endless. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.56. There we are entertained with the wonder of all ages. for There are we entertained with the wonder of all ages.. Dobell’s word order; the manuscript’s is restored.

I.56. idle sports, companions, feasts and pleasures for idle sports, companions, feast and pleasures. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.57. What visible chains or cords draw those? for What visible chains or cords draw these?. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.61. contempt of the world, joy, penitence, contrition for contempt of the world, penitence, contrition. Omitted by Dobell; the words are in the manuscript.

I.61. perseverance, holiness, contentation and thanksgiving for perseverance, contentation, holiness, and thanksgiving. Dobell’s word order; the manuscript’s is restored.

I.62. drops of blood that run down Thy flesh for drops of blood that ran down Thy flesh. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.62. O Thou that redeemedst me from Hell for O Thou that redeemed me from Hell. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.63. why are they all Thy treasures? for why are they all Thy treasures?. Struck through in the manuscript; Dobell prints the words without mark.

I.63. that Thou shouldst esteem them so as to die for that Thou shouldst so esteem them as to die. Dobell’s word order; the manuscript’s is restored.

I.63. and as ardently thirst their happiness for and as ardently thirst for their happiness. Not in the manuscript.

I.63. in me that is in Christ Jesus for in me that is in Jesus Christ. Dobell’s word order; the manuscript’s is restored.

I.64. as if no man were created but I alone for as if no man were greater, but I alone. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.65. have admired the Glory of the World for have admired the Glories of the World. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.65. replenished with all kind of treasures for replenished with all kind of treasure. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.65. raised out of nothing and nothing, created for me for raised out of nothing and created for me. Struck through in the manuscript; Dobell prints the words without mark. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.65. that Thou visitest him for that Thou visiteth him. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.66. comparable to the fine gold, but that they exceed it. gold. for comparable to the fine gold, but that they exceed it.. Struck through in the manuscript; Dobell prints the words without mark.

I.66. Thou preventedst me with Thy blessings for Thou presentedst me with Thy blessings. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.66. praise Thee for these inestimable favors for praise Thee for Thine inestimable favors. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.67. He hath made His Image for He hath made thee His Image. Not in the manuscript.

I.67. let all the Hosts of Heaven rejoice for let all the Host of Heaven rejoice. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.68. One would think those were sufficient. for One would think those were sufficient.. Struck through in the manuscript; Dobell prints the words without mark. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.69. What hast Thou done for me? done! for What hast Thou done for me?. Struck through in the manuscript; Dobell prints the words without mark.

I.72. all-sufficient to see; number, take in for all-sufficient to love; number, take in. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.73. the more thou lovest all His Friends. His. for the more thou lovest all His Friends.. Struck through in the manuscript; Dobell prints the words without mark.

I.74. He giveth all the world to one, He giveth it to every one, He giveth it for He giveth all the world to me, He giveth it. Omitted by Dobell; the words are in the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.77. love wherewith Thou diest. for love wherewith Thou diedst.. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.

I.78. I had never seen nor understood its glory for I had never seen or understood its glory. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.81. how can we choose but inherit all things for how can we help but inherit all things. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

I.82. but that they lie concealed for but that they be concealed. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.

444

About This Reading Edition

Thomas Traherne’s Centuries explore felicity, childhood vision, love, and the soul’s capacity to enjoy the world. This annotated English edition presents all 410 meditations across five Centuries, with an introduction, explanatory notes, an outline, and textual apparatus.

Historical Text

The Centuries survive in Traherne’s manuscript and were first published by Bertram Dobell in London in 1908. The supplied edition follows the corrected Dobell text, with manuscript readings documented in its Note on the Text and Textual Notes. The four complete Centuries contain one hundred meditations each; the unfinished Fifth contains ten.

About This Edition

Diotimos Editions prepared the introduction, explanatory notes, glossary, reading guide, outline, and textual apparatus for this English original. Century and meditation numbers preserve the work’s structure, while verse line breaks, italics, and struck-through manuscript cancellations remain visible. Notes accompany their passages in the reader and Book Mode.

Rights

Thomas Traherne’s historical text and Bertram Dobell’s 1908 printing are in the public domain. The introduction, notes, and apparatus are © 2026 Diotimos Editions. Historical printing and transcription links identify the edition’s copy-text; manuscript corrections and unresolved readings are documented in the supplied editorial apparatus.