The Divine Image

 

To Mercy Pity Peace and Love,

All pray in their distress:                                        

And to these virtues of delight

Return to 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.

 

William Blake (1757 - 1827)