From The Birmingham Age-Herald, February 16, 1913.
By Leigh Hunt.
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 my name 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 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!