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.