SHAKSPEARE'S "MERCHANT OF VENICE"

In the lines— "The quality of Mercy is not strained, It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven, Upon the place beneath." What is the meaning of the word "strained?" The verb *to strain* is susceptible of two essentially different interpretations; and the question is as to which of the two is here intended? On referring to Johnson's Dictionary, we find, amongst other synonymous terms, *To squeeze through something; to purify by filtration; to weaken by too much violence; to push to its utmost strength*. Now, if we substitute either of the two latter meanings, we shall have an assertion that "…