April 8, 2000 Hail Mary Shelley this week archive  [archive list]
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A reader,  recalling important influences in her life, recently
recited a poem she committed to memory in school decades ago.
The poem was written by a friend of Percy and Mary Shelley,
Leigh Hunt. In fact it was on his return home from a visit with
the Hunts that Percy and his friend, Edward Williams drowned
in a storm in the Gulf of Spezia, July 8, 1822. This week the same
reader will be exploring the web on her for the first time. We have
been recommending Google as an invaluable search tool to many
friends. Here is the link to Google Search Google Search: <Linux>
and the poem by Leigh Hunt published in 1838.

              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
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.
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