by Chesterton · Cluster: Satire of Society · Epigram · Satire
Abstract
A satirical parody of Leigh Hunt’s ‘Abou Ben Adhem’, in heroic couplets, in which the secular philanthropist who loves his fellow-men but not God reveals himself as a tyrannical social engineer; central themes are satire of society, secular humanism vs faith, and the loss of wonder.
Testo / Text
Connections
Characters: Abou Ben Adhem
Topoi: World Upside Down Archetypes: Corrupt Official, Tyrant Motifs: Wine and Drink Themes & Concepts: Satire of Society, Faith and Doubt, Wonder and Gratitude, Critique of Progress, Pride, Power and Corruption, Fear, Order vs Chaos, Reform Forms & Genres: Parody, Satire, Heroic Couplet, Epigram Historical References: Orient Arabia, Islam and the East Settings: Orient, Desert
Testo integrale / Full text
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.”
Gently replied 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.”