William Shakespeare

They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly,
But bear-like I must fight the course.

They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly,
But bear-like I must fight the course.

Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

These most brisk and giddy-paced times. -Twelfth Night. Act ii. Sc. 4.

These most brisk and giddy-paced times. -Twelfth Night. Act ii. Sc. 4.

Warwick, peace, Proud setter up and puller down of kings! -King Henry VI. Part III. Act iii. Sc. 3.

Warwick, peace, Proud setter up and puller down of kings! -King Henry VI. Part III. Act iii. Sc. 3.

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the read more

The quality of mercy is not strained;
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 sceptre 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 scept'red sway;
It is enthroned 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.