MERCY.
The quality of mercy is not strained,—
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blessed,—
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:
'T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The thronèd monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings:
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,—
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's,
When mercy seasons justice….
We do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.
Merchant of Venice, Act iv. Sc. 1. SHAKESPEARE.
Who will not mercie unto others show,
How can he mercie ever hope to have?
Faërie Queene, Bk. VI. Canto I. E. SPENSER.
No ceremony that to great ones 'longs,
Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword,
The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe,
Become them with one half so good a grace
As mercy does.
Measure for Measure. Act ii. Sc. 2. SHAKESPEARE.
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.
Titus Andronicus, Act i. Sc. 2. SHAKESPEARE.
Yet I shall temper so
Justice with mercy, as may illustrate most
Them fully satisfied, and Thee appease.
Paradise Lost, Bk. X. MILTON.