• 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.