The quality of mercy

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

• Blow blow thou winter wind

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)

• choral - high voices accompanied