"Oh, my father, the conqueror's triumph consists not in the number of rebellious heads that fall before him--not in the blood that overflows his way; magnanimity, mercy, will conquer yet more than his victorious sword.
Traitor as he seem, have mercy on Nigel Bruce; oh, give--" "Mercy on a Bruce! May the thunder of heaven blast me when I show it!" burst furiously from Edward's lips, as he started upon his couch and gazed on his suppliant child with eyes that seemed absolutely to blaze in wrath.

"Mercy on a branch of that house which has dared defy me, dared to insult my power, trample on my authority, upraised the standard of rebellion, and cost me the lives of thousands of my faithful subjects! Mercy on him, the daring traitor, who, even in his chains, has flung redoubled insult and treason into our very teeth! Mercy--may the God of heaven deny me all mercy when I show it unto him!" "Oh, no, no, my father! My father, in mercy speak not such terrible words!" implored the princess, clinging to his robe.

"Call not the wrath of heaven on thy head; think of his youth, the temptations that have beset him, the difficult task to remain faithful when all other of his house turned astray.

Mistaken as he hath been, as he is, have mercy.
Compel him to prove, to feel, to acknowledge thou art not the tyrant he hath been taught to deem thee; exile, imprisonment, all--any thing, but death.

Oh, do not turn from me; be thyself, the good, the magnanimous Edward of former days, have mercy on thy foe!" "I tell thee, never! by every saint in heaven, I tell thee, never!" shouted the king.