Abou Ben Adhem

Leigh Hunt

1784 to 1859

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Track 1

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