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h lay, There he sleeps the night away, There he sports along the day, And doth among our branches play.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
NIGHT
From 'Songs of Innocence'
The sun descending in the west, The evening star does shine, The birds are silent in their nest, And I must seek for mine. The moon, like a flower In heaven's high bower, With silent delight, Sits and smiles in the night.
Farewell, green fields and happy groves Where flocks have ta'en delight; Where lambs have nibbled, silent move The feet of angels bright; Unseen they pour blessing, And joy without ceasing, On each bud and blossom, And each sleeping bosom.
They look in every thoughtless nest, Where birds are covered warm; They visit caves of every beast, To keep them all from harm; If they see any weeping That should have been sleeping, They pour sleep on their head, And sit down by their bed.
When wolves and tigers howl for prey, They pitying stand and weep; Seeking to drive their thirst away, And keep them from the sheep. But if they rush dreadful, The angels most heedful Receive each wild spirit, New worlds to inherit.
And there the lion's ruddy eyes Shall flow with tears of gold; And pitying the tender cries, And walking round the fold, Saying, "Wrath by His meekness, And by His health, sickness, Are driven away From our immortal day.
"And now beside thee, bleating lamb, I can lie down and sleep, Or think on Him who bore thy name, Graze after thee and