Can anyone help me find the words and author of this poem, it starts
Abu Ben Adam, may his tribe increase
Awoke one night fron a deep dream of peace
to see an angel writing in a book of gold
I don't remember the rest of the words but the gist of the poem is that those who love their fellow man are honoured. I read this poem over 50 years ago in a collection of poetry called the Grass of Panassus.
Thanks for your help
The poem was written by leigh Hunt, an interesting man who spent time in prison and was also an associate of Shelley and Byron - he was one of those present at what must have been the surreal experience of the romantic period - Shelley's cremation on the beach.
Whatever, here is the poem:
Abou Ben Adhem
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 blest,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
The poem you are looking for is actually spelled "Abou Ben Adhem".
The author's name is [James] Leigh Hunt, and the poem can be found on the "Poet's Corner" web site at "http//:www.geocities.com/~spanoudi/poems/".
I hope this has been of help to you.
Stuart.
Thank you so much
Graham
Abou Ben Adhem<br />
by James Henry 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 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.
Thank you for posting this question as this poem pope into my head at church a couple of Sundays ago. I read this at school about 45 years ago and it still is very moving.
Thanks
Eleanor