359. The Divine Image

William Blake (1757—1827)

  TO Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love

  All pray in their distress;

  And to these virtues of delight

  Return their thankfulness.

  For Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love

  Is God, our father dear,

  And Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love

  Is Man, his child and care.

  For Mercy has a human heart,

  Pity a human face,

  And Love, the human form divine,

  And Peace, the human dress.

  Then every man, of every clime,

  That prays in his distress,

  Prays to the human form divine,

  Love, Mercy, Pity, Peace.

  And all must love the human form,

  In heathen, Turk, or Jew;

  Where Mercy, Love and Pity dwell,

  There God is dwelling too.