The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the earth beneath; it is twice blessed;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The tribute 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 heart of kings,
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this--
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy.
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. --_Shakespeare._