Angels Appear

Abou Ben Adhem 

~ by 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 blest,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. 
                                                      

Little Boy Blue

~ by Eugene Field 

 

The little toy dog is covered with dust,   
    But sturdy and staunch he stands;   
The little toy soldier is red with rust,   
    And his musket moulds in his hands.   
Time was when the little toy dog was new,
    And the soldier was passing fair;   
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue   
    Kissed them and put them there.   
     
"Now don't you go till I come," he said,   
    "And don't you make any noise!"
So, toddling off to his trundle bed,   
    He dreamt of the pretty toys;   
And, as he was dreaming, an angel song   
    Awakened our Little Boy Blue—   
Oh! the years are many, the years are long,
    But the little toy friends are true!   
     
Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,   
    Each in the same old place,   
Awaiting the touch of a little hand,   
    The smile of a little face;
And they wonder, as waiting the long years through   
    In the dust of that little chair,   
What has become of our Little Boy Blue,   
    Since he kissed them and put them there.