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Line 1: − Noun. The compassionate treatment of someone who is under your power.+ − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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'''Mercy''' is compassionate treatment of someone who is under your power.<br>
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In ''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'', [[William Shakespeare]] uses Portia (a trial lawyer) to remind Shylock (a moneylender) of mercy's qualities:
<blockquote>The quality of mercy is not strain'd,<br />
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven<br />
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:<br />
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.<br />
'T is mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes<br />
The throned monarch better than his crown;<br />
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,<br />
The attribute to awe and majesty,<br />
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;<br />
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,<br />
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,<br />
It is an attribute to God himself;<br />
And earthly power doth then show likest God's,<br />
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,<br />
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,<br />
That in the course of justice none of us<br />
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;<br />
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render<br />
The deeds of mercy.<ref>William Shakespeare, "The Merchant of Venice", Act 4 scene 1</ref>
</blockquote>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Virtues]]