Elko Tchernev wrote:
> In English lit. class, studying Shakespeare, a student asks the prof:
> - In the phrase "The quality of mercy is not strained", what is the 
> meaning of 'strained'? Is it putting strain on it, or filtering?
> Bewildered, the prof thought for a moment and replied:
> - But see, it says "is NOT strained", so that question doesn't arise!



The context is as follows:

Portia: You stand within his danger, do you not?

Antonio: Ay, so he says.

Portia:                  Do you confess the bond?

Antonio: I do.

Portia:        Then must the Jew be merciful.

Shylock: On what compulsion must I? tell me that.

Portia: The quality of mercy is not strain'd, ...

-- 
John W. Kennedy
"The blind rulers of Logres
Nourished the land on a fallacy of rational virtue."
   -- Charles Williams.  "Taliessin through Logres: Prelude"
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