the quality of
mercy not strain’d droppeth as
heaven’s gentle rain
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 thronèd monarch better than his crown.
His scepter 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 sceptered sway.
It is enthronèd 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. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this:
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (Act 4, Scene 1).
Watching the Andy Griffith show the other night, I watched as Andy and Barney rescue a pack of dogs from a thunder storm.
When they get back, Andy says to Barney, “Anyway, you did a good thing, Barn. You did a cardinal act of mercy.”
And Barney replies, “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.”
Andy stares at Barney with that big eyed – open mouth Andy stare.
Barney looks him back and says, “You’re not talking to a jerk, you know!”
Big Bill visits Mayberry.
Just as like a gentle rain that droppeth from heaven.
No Haiku For You 