For some reason, I never forgot these 4 lines:
(from English Lit in High School)

The quality of mercy is not strained
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath it is twice blessed
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes

Anybody remember (googleless!) what it is?

It's Shakespeare - from the play, "The Merchant of Venice."

Yes; can you pinpoint further? Who said it? When?

Act IV, Scene 1. Portia said it to I believe Shylock (the moneylender)

Bernie

I think Shakespeare would love to know that people are still quoting him 400 years later.

Many of us are quoting Shakespeare every day; we are just unaware of it.

Some examples:

Shakespeare said it first

Yep, Bernie.
At the "pound of flesh" trial.

A play I always remember with particular fondness, having studied it in depth at school and taken a minor part in a school production of it, quite apart from seeing several professional productions of it.

Thanks for the link Marian. i guess I have been quoting him without even knowing it.

Ya? Did you get to say: "Play it again, Sam"