The quality of mercy is not strain'd;     It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven     Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest.     It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.     T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes     The throned 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... Show more

The quality of mercy is not strain'd;    
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven    
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest.    
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.    
T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes    
The throned 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.    

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