<P> "The quality of mercy" refers to a quote by Portia in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice; it occurs during Act IV, Scene 1, set in a Venetian Court of Justice . It is the speech in which Portia begs Shylock for mercy . Some sources set apart the first four lines of the speech or refer only to the first four lines as the subject of "The quality of mercy". Other sources refer to a longer portion of the speech but not the full 22 lines . </P> <Dl> <Dd> The quality of mercy is not strain'd, </Dd> <Dd> It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven </Dd> <Dd> Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; </Dd> <Dd> It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: </Dd> <Dd>' Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes </Dd> <Dd> The throned monarch better than his crown; </Dd> <Dd> His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, </Dd> <Dd> The attribute to awe and majesty, </Dd> <Dd> Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; </Dd> <Dd> But mercy is above this sceptred sway; </Dd> <Dd> It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, </Dd> <Dd> It is an attribute to God Himself; </Dd> <Dd> And earthly power doth then show likest God's </Dd> <Dd> When mercy seasons justice . Therefore, Jew, </Dd> <Dd> Though justice be thy plea, consider this, </Dd> <Dd> That in the course of justice, none of us </Dd> <Dd> Should see salvation . We do pray for mercy; </Dd> <Dd> And that same prayer doth teach us all to render </Dd> <Dd> The deeds of mercy . I have spoke thus much </Dd> <Dd> To mitigate the justice of thy plea; </Dd> <Dd> Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice </Dd> <Dd> Must needs give sentence' gainst the merchant there . </Dd> </Dl>

Portia's speech the quality of mercy is not strained
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