Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so;
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.

Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so;
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.

Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice.

Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice.

We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it

We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it

Hate shuts her soul when dove-eyed mercy pleads.

Hate shuts her soul when dove-eyed mercy pleads.

Of all the characters of cruelty, I consider the most despicable the one that cloaks himself in a garb of read more

Of all the characters of cruelty, I consider the most despicable the one that cloaks himself in a garb of mercy.

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the read more

The quality of mercy is not strained;
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.
'Tis 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 scept'red 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.

The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It read 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.

Have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

Have mercy upon us miserable sinners.