Farewell Service

Hymns, readings and a printed program for a Christian funeral

Abou Ben Adhem

by Leigh Hunt (1784–1859)

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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 rais'd its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answer'd, "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 vanish'd. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And show'd the names whom love of God had bless'd,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

About this text

Poet
Leigh Hunt, 1784–1859
Printing used
The Poetical Works of Leigh Hunt (1849), as “Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel”
First published
1849
Public domain
This printing 1849, before 1931
Often chosen
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