I Heard an Angel

I heard an Angel singing

    When the day was springing,

    "Mercy, Pity, Peace

    Is the world's release."

    Thus he sung all day

    Over the new mown hay,

    Till the sun went down

    And haycocks looked brown.

    I heard a Devil curse

   Over the heath and the furze,

   "Mercy could be no more,

   If there was nobody poor,

   And pity no more could be,

   If all were as happy as we."

   At his curse the sun went down,

   And the heavens gave a frown.

   Down pour'd the heavy rain

   Over the new reap'd grain…

   And Miseries' increase

   Is Mercy, Pity, Peace.