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 cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then, Write me as one that 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! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONG OF THE STYGIAN NAIADES by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE DIVINE IMAGE, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE TO THE EVENING STAR by WILLIAM BLAKE BETRAYAL by HESTER H. CHOLMONDELEY THE WIND (2) by EMILY DICKINSON A WOMAN'S LOVE by JOHN MILTON HAY BROTHERS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON EPITAPH (ON A COMMONPLACE PERSON WHO DIED IN BED) by AMY LEVY |