LESSON 42 ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL

ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL

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 ［1］ in the room he said,

What writest thou?—The vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord ［2］ ,

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.

—LEIGH Hunt

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［1 ］ Presence: Angelic visitor.

［2 ］ sweet accord: Kind agreement.