頌詩譯選
仁慈
仁慈的品性不受限阻—
它像柔和的甘雨
從天降在地上：是兩方面的賜福。
給予者蒙福，受者也蒙福：
它是最權威中的最高威權
如坐寶座的君王勝於他的王冠；
他的權杖是暫時勢和力的展現，
象徵尊貴和威嚴，
王的可畏可懼在那裏彰顯：
但仁慈超越這權杖的威勢。
它統治在王者的心裏；
它是神自己的品質；
地上的權柄表明與神的相似，
當仁慈緩和公義。
Mercy
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 that him 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 eathly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.
William Shakespeare, 1564-1616
English poet and playwright
from Merchant of Venice
