- Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
- Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
- And saw, within the moonlight in 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 of all sweet accord
- Answered, “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 fellow men.”
- The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
- It came again with a great wakening light,
- And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
- And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!
