BS: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 7/15

Subject: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 7/15
From: GUEST,Julie Fox
Date: 14 Jul 00 - 11:45 PM

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 cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."

The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And shoed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859)

Subject: RE: BS: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 7/15
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 10:36 AM

One of my very favorite poems, I haven't thought of it in years! Thanks, Julie!

Subject: RE: BS: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 7/15
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 02:31 PM

Chesterton did a rewrite of that one:

The Philanthropist

(with apologies to a Beautiful poem"

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe decrease
by cautious birth-control and die in peace)
Mellow with learning lightly took the word
That marked him not with them that love the Lord,
And told the angel of the book and pen
"Write me as one that loves hi fellow men:
For them alone I labour; to reclaim
The ragged roaming Bedouin and to tame
To ordered service; to uptoot their vine
Who mock the Prophet, being mad with wine,
Let daylight through their tents and through their lives
Number their camels, even count their wives;
Plot out the desert into streets and squares,
And count it a more fruitful work than theirs
Who lift a vain and visionary love
To your vague Allah in the skies above."

Gebntly repied the angel of the pen:
"Labour in peace and love your fellow-men;
And love not God, since men alone are dear,
Only fear God; for you have cause to fear."

(Note the word "lightly" in the third line - this isn't a dissent from Leigh Hunt's poem, it's a variation on the theme.)

Subject: RE: BS: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 7/15
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 02:32 PM

Chesterton did a rewrite of that one:

The Philanthropist

(with apologies to a Beautiful poem"

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe decrease
by cautious birth-control and die in peace)
Mellow with learning lightly took the word
That marked him not with them that love the Lord,
And told the angel of the book and pen
"Write me as one that loves his fellow men:
For them alone I labour; to reclaim
The ragged roaming Bedouin and to tame
To ordered service; to uproot their vine
Who mock the Prophet, being mad with wine,
Let daylight through their tents and through their lives
Number their camels, even count their wives;
Plot out the desert into streets and squares,
And count it a more fruitful work than theirs
Who lift a vain and visionary love
To your vague Allah in the skies above."

Gebntly repied the angel of the pen:
"Labour in peace and love your fellow-men;
And love not God, since men alone are dear,
Only fear God; for you have cause to fear."

(Note the word "lightly" in the third line - this isn't a dissent from Leigh Hunt's poem, it's a variation on the theme.)

Subject: RE: BS: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 7/15
From: GUEST,Ignar Hosentrop
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 08:53 PM

Praise

You are either blind, or couldn't be bothered to look anywhere on this forum that doesn't take in the confines of your own screen. Aaaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhh

Subject: RE: BS: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 7/15
From: GUEST,Hutch
Date: 17 Jul 00 - 03:58 PM

I remember a story about this poem being taught in elementary school. When the teacher finished reading the poem, she asks, "So why did Abou Ben Adhem's name lead the rest?"

A little boy's hand shot up: "Alphabetical order?"

*LOL*