Gabriel monologue (Act 3) — Vondel's Lucifer

The Heavens know How loth I am to make in such a way Defence of God's most righteous cause. But oh! How terrible the wrath laid up for him! For we can find no means by which to lead 40 This erring race of blind unfortunates Along the road, the high-road of their faith. Myself saw there the radiant joy of God Itself o'ershadow with a gathering cloud Of mournfulness, until, at last. His wrath A flame enkindled in His eyes of light, Ere He, to ward the threatened blow, gave charge Unto this expedition. I then heard Awhile the plea, how there in equipoise God's Mercy stood against His Righteousness, 50 By weight of reason held. I saw, too, how The Cherubim, upon their faces fallen. Cried with one voice, "Oh! mercy, mercy. Lord; Not justice give." This dire dispute had thus Been expiated, yea, almost atoned.-- So much seemed God to mercy then inclined. And reconciliation; but as up The smell of incense rose, the smoke beneath To Lucifer, from countless censers swung. Amid the sounds of trump and choral praise, 60 The Heavens their eyes averted from such sight And such idolatry, accursed of God And Spirit and all the Hierarchies above: Then Mercy took its flight. Awake to arms! The Godhead summons thee, ere the tumult us Surprise, to tame by thine own arm these fierce Behemoths and Leviathans, who thus Most wickedly conspire.