"I heard an angel singing”

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 Miserie's increase

Is Mercy, Pity, Peace.