Portia . 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 mighty 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 sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this scepter'd sway; It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute of God himself, And earthy power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice.
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CALIBAN . Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices That, if I then had waked after long sleep, Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming, The clouds methought would open and show riches Ready to drop upon me that, when I waked, I cried to dream again. |
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