Extract
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 rich, and like a lily in 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 sritest though?" - The vision raised
it's head, And with a look made of all 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 cheerly still; and said, "I prey thee,
thenk,
Write me as one that 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
