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!"

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.

Mercy often inflicts death.
[Lat., Mortem misericors saepe pro vita dabit.]

Mercy often inflicts death.
[Lat., Mortem misericors saepe pro vita dabit.]

We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds read more

We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.

It is noble to grant life to the vanquished.
[Lat., Pulchrum est vitam donare minori.]

It is noble to grant life to the vanquished.
[Lat., Pulchrum est vitam donare minori.]

Mercy among the virtues is like the moon among the stars ... It is the light that hovers above the read more

Mercy among the virtues is like the moon among the stars ... It is the light that hovers above the judgment seat.

Much that we call evil is really good in disguises; and we should not quarrel rashly with adversities not yet read more

Much that we call evil is really good in disguises; and we should not quarrel rashly with adversities not yet understood, nor overlook the mercies often bound up in them.

When all thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view I'm lost,
read more

When all thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view I'm lost,
In wonder, love and praise.