The quality of mercy

  • for high voices and piano

  • Duration 3'

Words

by William Shakespeare

this piece won third prize in Corinfesta 2nd International Competition for Choral Composition, 2018

Availability

choral photocopying licence for sale from this website
up to 25 copies for GBP35.00 or USD70.00
up to 50 copies for GBP40.00 or USD80.00
up to 100 copies for GBP45.00 or USD90.00

Text

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 sceptred 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.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
(spoken by Portia in The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene 1)