Gabriel monologue (Act 3) — Vondel's Lucifer

The third part of the Heavens swore but now 10 The standard of that fickle Morning-star Their firm allegiance, perfumed his throne With incense, even as if he were a God; And with the blasphemous sounds of godless music Him praises sang. Now hitherward they come, Thronging with mighty hordes that threaten all, How terribly! to burst with violence The gate that leads unto the armoury. A crash of tempests fierce and wild doth roar On every side. The lightnings rage and rave. 20 The thunders, in their travail laboring, Shake even the ponderous pillars of these courts. We hear no Seraphim, nor sounds of praise. Each sits apart, enwrapped in voiceless gloom. Now hushed at once are all the Angel choirs, And then again they cry aloud in grief And in their pity o'er this blind revolt Of the blessed Angel world, and o'er the fall Of the Angelic race. Aye, 'tis full time That thou perform thy charge, that thou observe 30 The sacred oath that thou, as Field-marshal, Didst swear upon the lightning's lurid edge, By God's most holy name.