It
inspires Portia's speech about Mercy. Here I give a version of the
Latin.
"Clemency becometh, of all men, none more than the King or chief
magistrate (principem) . . . No one can think of anything more
becoming to a ruler than clemency . . . which will be confessed the
fairer and more goodly in proportion as it is exhibited in the higher
office . . . But if the placable and just gods punish not instantly
with their thunderbolts the sins of the powerful, how much more just
it is that a man set over men should gently exercise his power.
What? Holds not he the place nearest to the gods, who, bearing
himself like the gods, is kind, and generous, and uses his power for
the better? . . . Think . . . what a lone desert and waste Rome
would be, were nothing left, and none, save such as a severe judge
would absolve."
The last sentence is fitted with this parallel in Portia's speech:
"Consider this
That in the course of Justice none of us
Should see salvation."
Here, at least, Protestant theology, not Seneca, inspires Portia's
eloquence.
Now take Portia:
"The quality of Mercy is not strain'd;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blessed;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes;"
(Not much Seneca, so far!)
"'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 .
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