The Merchant of Venice: Act IV sc i - Portia

`PORTIA

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,                     Mercy is easy and it doesent cause strain

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven        It is easy as a drop of rain

Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;            Falling to the ground, it blesses Two

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:      I bless the person who is given mercy and the one showing mercy

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes            The strongest of them all ( Mercy is the best character trait

The throned monarch better than his crown;       Mercy is stronger that the kinga and between go and king, mercy can make you better than a king and closer to God

His sceptre [MNK1] shows the force of temporal power, 

The attribute to awe and majesty,                            

temporary, you can be rememberd

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above this sceptred sway;

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power [MNK2] 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;[MNK3] 

And that same prayer doth teach us all to render

The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much

To mitigate the justice of thy plea;

Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice

Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.[MNK4] 

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 [MNK1]Symbolism

 [MNK2]Symbolism

 [MNK3]Mercy =God

 [MNK4]Follow pound of fles = murder