Poet’s Corner
Inspired by a poem sent in from an avid reader of Moor Times (see ‘A Word From The Editor’) Poet’s Corner was started to encourage people to send in their most loved poem, whether it be well known or in fact written by themselves it makes no difference. The use of language in poetry, and in song, has always managed to touch people in a way that very few things can and invariably we all have a personal favourite. Here are some that readers have sent in. I hope you like them as well.
Submitted Poems
The Quality of Mercy
Portia appealing to the court from ‘The Merchant of Venice’
by William Shakespeare
I learnt this passage for my School Certificate English Literature exam and it has
stayed with me since. I feel it puts into clear focus what is ‘fair and reasonable',
there have been many times when I have needed to arbitrate and this passage when
repeated helped me to think clearly.
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. Therefore, Jew,
Though
justice be thy plea, consider this:
That in the course of justice, none of us
should
see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which
if thou follow, the strict court of Venice
Must give sentence 'gainst the merchant
there.
Brian Head