MERCY SAVETH

                                                                       in modern English:


Mercy is hendest                                            Mercy is most ready
Where sinne is mest.                                      Where sin is most.
Mercy is latere                                               Mercy is slower
There sinne is lest.                                         Where sin is least.
Mercy abideth                                                Mercy abides
And looketh al day                                        And looks all day
When man fro sinne                                      [For] when man from sin
Will turnen away.                                          Will turn away.
Mercy saveth                                                  Mercy saves
That lawe wolde spille.                                  What law would destroy.
Mercy asketh                                                  Mercy asks
But Godes wille.                                            But God's will.
   --Anonymous

This little poem has gone through my mind often ever since I first came across it abt thirty yrs ago.  I've written it down from memory, so it may not be correct in every jot and/or tittle.  And of course, my interpretation of "sinne" and "Godes wille" is not the most orthodox.