C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

The Two Songs

I HEARD an Angel singing

When the day was springing:

“Mercy, pity, and peace,

Are the world’s release.”

So he sang all day

Over the new-mown hay,

Till the sun went down,

And the haycocks looked brown.

I heard a devil curse

Over the heath and the furse:

“Mercy could be no more

If there were nobody poor,

And pity no more could be

If all were happy as ye:

And mutual fear brings peace.

Misery’s increase

Are mercy, pity, peace.”

At his curse the sun went down,

And the heavens gave a frown.