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:-

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."

James Leigh Hunt was a political journalist who fought for freedom of speech and social reform.

After overcoming a speech impediment and his parents' poverty, he published a series of books, poems, and journal contributions.

He was a friend of Byron, the Shelleys, Owen, Bentham, and similar radicals.

He served two years in prison for printing the truth about the Prince Regent.