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.