(With apologies to a Beautiful Poem) <br /> <br />ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe decrease <br />By cautious birth-control and die in peace) <br />Mellow with learning lightly took the word <br />That marked him not with them that love the Lord, <br />And told the angel of the book and pen <br />'Write me as one that loves his fellow-men: <br />For them alone I labour; to reclaim <br />The ragged roaming Bedouin and to tame <br />To ordered service; to uproot their vine <br />Who mock the Prophet, being mad with wine, <br />Let daylight through their tents and through their lives, <br />Number their camels, even count their wives; <br />Plot out the desert into streets and squares, <br />And count it a more fruitful work than theirs <br />Who lift a vain and visionary love <br />To your vague Allah in the skies above.' <br /> <br />Gently replied the angel of the pen: <br />'Labour in peace and love your fellow-men: <br />And love not God, since men alone are dear, <br />Only fear God; for you have Cause to fear.'<br /><br />Gilbert Keith Chesterton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-philanthropist/
