Produced by Al Haines. [Illustration: Cover] THE EVERLASTING MERCY BY JOHN MASEFIELD AUTHOR OF "THE TRAGEDY OF POMPEY THE GREAT" "THE TRAGEDY OF NAN," ETC. LONDON SIDGWICK & JACKSON LTD. 3 ADAM STREET, ADELPHI MCMXIII _First Edition, Crown 8vo, November 1911;_ _Reprinted November and December 1911,_ _February, April and August 1912._ _Reset December 1912; reprinted January_ _(twice), February, March and May, 1913._ _New Edition, Foolscap 8vo, thirteenth_ _thousand, October 1913._ _Fourteenth thousand, November 1913._ _Entered at the Library of_ _Congress, Washington, U.S.A._ _All rights reserved_ _BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ THE WIDOW IN THE BYE STREET Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d. net. _Fourth Thousand_ THE TRAGEDY OF POMPEY THE GREAT Crown 8vo, Cloth, 3s. 6d. net; Paper Wrappers, 1s. 6d. net. _Fourth Impression_ London: SIDGWICK & JACKSON LTD. TO MY WIFE _Thy place is biggyd above the sterrys deer,_ _Noon erthely paleys wrouhte in so statly wyse,_ _Com on my freend, my brothir moost enteer,_ _For the I offryd my blood in sacrifise._ JOHN LYDGATE. THE EVERLASTING MERCY From ’41 to ’51 I was my folk’s contrary son; I bit my father’s hand right through And broke my mother’s heart in two. I sometimes go without my dinner Now that I know the times I’ve gi’n her. From ’51 to ’6l I cut my teeth and took to fun. I learned what not to be afraid of And what stuff women’s lips are made of; I learned with what a rosy feeling Good ale makes floors seem like the ceiling, And how the moon gives shiny light To lads as roll home singing by’t. My blood did leap, my flesh did revel, Saul Kane was tokened to the devil. From ’61 to ’67 I lived in disbelief of heaven. I drunk, I fought, I poached, I whored, I did despite unto the Lord, I cursed, ’twould make a man look pale, And nineteen times I went to jail. Now, friends, observe and look upon me, Mark how the Lord took pity on me.