Upton Sinclair, ed. (1878–1968). rn The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest. 1915.

The Two Songs

Blake, William

William Blake

(English poet and painter of strange and terrible visions. 1757–1827)

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 haycocks looked brown

I heard a Devil curse

Over the heath and the furze:

“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.