Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) <br />Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, <br />And saw, within the moonlight in his room, <br />Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, <br />An angel writing in a book of gold:— <br />Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, <br />And to the Presence in the room he said <br />"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head, <br />And with a look made of all sweet accord, <br />Answered "The names of those who love the Lord." <br />"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," <br />Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, <br />But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then, <br />Write me as one that loves his fellow men." <br /> <br />The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night <br />It came again with a great wakening light, <br />And showed the names whom love of God had blessed, <br />And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. <br /> <br /> <br />Anonymous Submission<br /><br />James Henry Leigh Hunt<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/abou-ben-adhem/
