Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume IV. The Higher Life. 1904. | | | | III. Faith: Hope: Love: Service | | Abou Ben Adhem | | Leigh Hunt (1784–1859) |
| | | 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: | 5 |
| 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.” | 10 |
| “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 | 15 |
| 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! | | | | |
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