ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL. BY LEIGH HUNT.
Reading edition
James Henry Leigh Hunt was born at Southgate in 1784. He was an essayist, an author, and a poet, chief among his poems being “The Story of Rimini.” He died at Putney in 1859.
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight of 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 writest thou?” The vision raised its head, And with a look made all of sweet accord, Answer’d, “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 fellowmen.” The angel wrote and vanish’d. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And show’d the names whom love of God had bless’d, And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.