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:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
the throned monarch better than his crown;
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
the attribute to awe and majest,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
but mercy is above the sceptered sway;
It is enthrone 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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