Chorus monologue (Act 2) — Vondel's Lucifer

Whatever doth breathe May rightly the Creator praises bring, Who each his being gave and unto each Gave his degree. Whene'er it pleaseth Him, The element of earth shall change to air, To water, or to fire; the Heaven itself, 190 To Earth; an Angel, to a beast; mankind, To Angels or to something new and strange. One Power rules over all, and thus can make The proudest tower become the humblest base. The least received is in pure money given. Here is no choice. Here wit and knowledge fail. In such unlikeness doth God's glory lie. So see we with things lightest weighed those things Of greatest weight, which thus e'en heavier grow: Thus beauty fairer glows o'er beauty glossed, 200 Hue cast o'er hue, the diamond splendor over The blue turquoise; so see 'gainst odors odors, The light intense against the glimmer dim, The galaxies unto the stars opposed. Our place within the universal plan Thus to disturb, into confusion all Things throwing that once God did there dispose And place; and all the creature may arrange: This is mis-shapen to the inmost joint. Cease, then, this murmuring. The Godhead can 210 The state of Angels miss; nor aided is By others' service; for the glorious Realm Eterne nor music needs, nor incense, nor These odors swung, nor harmonies of praise. Ungrateful Spirits, be still: your base tongues curb. Ye know not God's design. Be ye content With your established lot, and unto God And Gabriel's decree yourselves submit.