The mercy that was quick in us but late,
By your own counsel is suppressed and killed.
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The mercy that was quick in us but late,
By your own counsel is suppressed and killed.
You must not dare for shame to talk of mercy;
For your own reasons turn into your bosoms
As dogs upon their masters, worrying you.

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 bless'd; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

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.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

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

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

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.

Sweet Mercy! to the gates of Heaven
This minstrel lead, his sins forgiven;
The rueful conflict, the read more

Sweet Mercy! to the gates of Heaven
This minstrel lead, his sins forgiven;
The rueful conflict, the heart riven
With vain endeavour,
And memory of earth's bitter leaven
Effaced forever.

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

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