Abou Ben Adhem

[Guest guest]

'Abou Ben Adhem'

 

 

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)

 

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

 

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

 

Making it reach and like a lily bloom,

 

An angel writing in a book of gold:-

 

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

 

And to the presence in the room he said,

 

'What writest thou?' The vision raised its head,

 

And with a look made all of sweet accord,

 

Answered, 'The names of those who love the lord.'

 

'And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay not so,'

 

Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,

 

But cheerily still; and said, 'I pray thee, then,

 

Write me as one who loves his fellow men.'

 

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

 

It came again with a great wakening light,

 

And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

 

And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

 

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....

[Guest guest]

Wonderful poem . Thanks

 

--- On Sun, 5/31/09, Peter <not_2 wrote:

Peter <not_2 Abou Ben Adhem Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009, 3:28 PM

 

 

'Abou Ben Adhem'Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,And saw, within the moonlight in his room,Making it reach and like a lily bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold:-Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,And to the presence in the room he said,'What writest thou?' The vision raised its head,And with a look made all of sweet accord,Answered, 'The names of those who love the lord.''And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay not so,'Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,But cheerily still; and said, 'I pray thee, then,Write me as one who loves his fellow men.'The angel wrote, and vanished. The next nightIt came again with a great wakening light,And showed the names whom love of God had blest,And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.Leigh Hunt

(1784-1859)...