Abou Ben Adhem

Leigh Hunt

1784 to 1859

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Track 1

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