abouben 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 presence1 in the room he said, "what writest thou?"-the vision raised its head, and with a look made of all sweet accord2,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,1presence: angelic visitor.
2sweet accord: loving assent.
write me as one that loves his fellow-men." the angel wrote and vanished. the next nightit came again with a great wakening light1,and showed the names whom love of god had blessed, and lo! ben adhem"s name led all the rest.
-leigh hunt
1 wakening light: brightness that aroused abou ben adhem.
