MERCHANT OF VENICE: English Stage Actress Ellen TERRY: Mercy Speech (1911)

English stage actress Ellen Terry (1847-1928) / Merchant of Venice -- Mercy Speech (Act IV) / Shakespeare / Recorded: February 28, 1911 --
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
(William Shakespeare)
Mercy Speech
(Act IV)
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
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. 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.
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Dame Ellen Terry, GBE (February 27, 1847 - July 21, 1928): English stage actress who became the leading Shakespearean actress in Britain. Born into a family of actors, Terry began acting as a child in Shakespeare plays and continued as a teen, in London and on tour. At sixteen she married the much older artist George Frederic Watts, but they separated within a year. She briefly returned to acting but then began a relationship with the architect Edward William Godwin and retired from the stage for six years. She returned to acting in 1874 and was immediately acclaimed for her portrayal of roles in Shakespeare and other classics. In 1878 she joined Henry Irving's company as his leading lady, and for more than the next two decades she was considered the leading Shakespearean and comic actress in Britain. Two of her most famous roles were Portia in The Merchant of Venice and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. She and Irving also toured with great success in America and Britain. In 1903 Terry took over management of London's Imperial Theatre, focusing on the plays of George Bernard Shaw and Henrik Ibsen. The venture was a financial failure, however, and Terry then toured and later also lectured. She continued to find acting success until 1920, while also appearing in films until 1922. Her career lasted nearly seven decades.
The FULL wikipedia article can be found here: en.wikipedia.or...
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[@greenfordanger7736]

I had no idea there were any recordings of the stupendous Ms. Terry. Thank you so much for posting this video. One of my prized possessions is an autographed photo of Ms. Terry as "Portia."

[@Brainybab48]

I totally agree. How wonderful.

[@CurzonRoad]

Cheers, Mark, thank YOU!

[@transformingArt]

Thank you! Thank you!

[@CurzonRoad]

Thank you, Chris... thank YOU!

[@gazzathomas1423]

Excellent

[@webrarian]

Yes! A wonderful transfer. "When mercy seasons justice" is delicious.

[@hangedman821]

I recently acquired the book "Ellen Terry -The story of my life" from a charity shop. It is in good condition (as far as I can tell) and it contains many paper clipping about her death inside. Is there anywhere that might be interested in this book Curzonroad? Can you point me to someone who might be interested? Thanks in advance : )