William Shakespeare

The Merchant of Venice (IV,i,180-187)

1. Portia:
2. You stand within his danger, do you not?
3. Antonio:
4. Ay, so he says.
5. Portia:
6. Do you confess the bond?
7. Antonio:
8. I do.
9. Portia:
10. Then must the Jew be merciful.
11. Shylock:
12. On what compulsion must I? tell me that.
13. Portia:
14. The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
15. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
16. Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
17. It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.