HUNT, Leigh


Jenny kissed me

Jenny kissed me when we met,

Jumping from the chair she sat in;

Time, you thief, who love to get

Sweets into your list, put that in!

Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,

Say that health and wealth have missed me,

Say I'm growing old, but add,

Jenny kissed me.


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 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 blessed,

And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.


A Night-Rain in Summer

Open the window, and let the air

Freshly blow upon face and hair,

And fill the room, as it fills the night,

With the breath of the rain's sweet might.

Hark! the burthen, swift and prone!

And how the odorous limes are blown!

Stormy Love's abroad, and keeps

Hopeful coil for gentle sleeps.

Not a blink shall burn to-night

In my chamber, of sordid light;

Nought will I have, not a window-pane,

'Twixt me and the air and the great good rain,

Which ever shall sing me sharp lullabies;

And God's own darkness shall close mine eyes;

And I will sleep, with all things blest,

In the pure earth-shadow of natural rest.