Lucifer monologue (Act 1) — Vondel's Lucifer

The late decision of the ruling Powers, The new decree made by the Godhead, who Esteems celestial joys as of less worth Than earthly elements, oppresses Heaven, Even from the low abyss the Earth exalts Above the stars, sets man high in the seat 140 Of the Angels, whom, shorn of primordial powers, He then commands for human happiness To sweat and slave. The Spirits once consecrate To service in empyreal palaces Shall serve an Earth-worm that from out the dust Hath crawled and grown; and on his bidding wait, And see him them excel in rank and numbers. Why doth the endless Mercy us degrade So soon? What Angel hath forgot to render Due reverence? How could the Deity 150 Mingle with base mankind and thus pass by The nature of His chosen Angels here, While His own nature and His Being He pours Into a body?--thus eternity Unite with its beginning, time, and what Is highest to what is lowest of the low? --The great Creator to His creature bind? Who can the import glean of this decree? Shall now eternity's bright, quenchless sun Set in the gathering darkness of the world? 160 Shall we, the Stadtholder of God, thus kneel Before this shadow power, this puny lord; And see the countless hosts of souls divine And incorporeal bow themselves before A gross and sluggish element upon Which God hath stamped His Being and majesty? We Spirits are yet too gross to comprehend This mystery. Thou, who the key dost guard Of God's rich treasure-house of mysteries, Unlock, if so thou mayest, this secret dark 170 From out thy sealèd book: unfold to us The will of Heaven.