William Blake (1757–1827). The Poetical Works. 1908.
Poems from the Rossetti MS.: Earlier PoemsI heard an Angel singing
I
When the day was springing:
‘Mercy, Pity, Peace
Is the world’s release.’
Over the new-mown hay,
Till the sun went down,
And haycocks lookèd brown.
Over the heath and the furze:
‘Mercy could be no more
If there was nobody poor,
If all were as happy as we.’
At his curse the sun went down,
And the heavens gave a frown.
Over the new reap’d grain;
And Misery’s increase
Is Mercy, Pity, Peace.]