A sentinel angel sitting high in glory
Heard this shrill wail ring out from Purgatory:
"Have mercy, read more

A sentinel angel sitting high in glory
Heard this shrill wail ring out from Purgatory:
"Have mercy, mighty angel, hear my story!"

There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny.

There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny.

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.

Who will not mercie unto others show,
How can he mercie ever hope to have?

Who will not mercie unto others show,
How can he mercie ever hope to have?

Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?

Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?

Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.

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.

Mercy to him that shows it, is the rule.

Mercy to him that shows it, is the rule.

The corn that makes the holy bread
By which the soul of man is fed,
The holy read more

The corn that makes the holy bread
By which the soul of man is fed,
The holy bread, the food unpriced,
Thy everlasting mercy, Christ.