The Everlasting Mercy and The Widow in the Bye Street is a collection of two poems by John Masefield. The first poem, The Everlasting Mercy, tells the story of a man named Saul Kane who is a reformed criminal. He finds redemption through his encounter with a shepherd who introduces him to the beauty of nature and the power of God. This poem is known for its vivid descriptions of the English countryside and its exploration of themes such as sin, redemption, and the power of nature.The second poem, The Widow in the Bye Street, tells the story of a widow who is struggling to survive in a small English village. She is constantly harassed by the villagers and is unable to find any peace or happiness. However, she finds solace in her faith and in the memories of her deceased husband. This poem explores themes such as grief, isolation, and the power of faith.Overall, The Everlasting Mercy and The Widow in the Bye Street is a powerful collection of poems that explores the human experience in all its complexity. Masefield's use of vivid imagery and powerful language makes this collection a must-read for anyone interested in English literature and poetry.1917. English poet, dramatist and novelist who was Poet Laureate of England from 1930 until his death. The publication of The Everlasting Mercy made Masefield famous. The poem shocked many with its frankness of language and subject, with its use of the vernacular and a depiction of English country life that sometimes strayed far from the bucolic. The poem begins with a grueling boxing bout, a grudge match that fits its rural background and setting quite realistically. In The Everlasting Mercy, the main character Saul Kane begins as a liar, cheat, and drunken carouser, albeit not without saving grace. He goes through a series of encounters that bring that grace to the fore and lead him to a path of redemption. Another of his long narrative poems, The Widow in the Bye Street is also contained in this volume. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.