The Quality Of Mercy

The quality of mercy is not strain'd.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from

Upon the place beneath.

It is twice blest:

It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it

The throned monarch better than his crown.

His scepter 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 sceptered sway;

It is enthroned in the heart of kings;

It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest

When mercy seasons justice.