Sonnet- Mercy, The Great Virtue Poem by Dr John Celes

Which man can get God's Mercy when he fails
To show the same unto his least brethren?
Forgiving man, the world and Heaven hails,
For Mercy cuts across nations and fen.

May be, 'tis easy forgiving a friend;
May be, 'tis similar forgiving stranger;
But Mercy to enemies, who can lend?
To create love from hate, malice, anger.

Yet, Mercy’s a virtue, truly great
That we must show on earth 'fore we depart;
A way that gets us past 'yond Heaven's gate
And inculcate in soul, the glorious art.
Lucky’s the man who Mercy doth shower,
His sins forgiven, He turns God's lover!