Lucifer monologue (Act 1) — Vondel's Lucifer

The majesty Of God and of the Godhead is debased, If with the blood of man his nature ever Unites, combines, or otherwise is bound. We Spirits to God and His deep nature come Far closer, as children from one father sprung; And are like Him, if unto us it be Allowed to bring in such similitude This inequality of endless powers With those determinate, of definite might 230 With might indefinite. Should once the sun Err from his orbit's path, and veil himself Behind a mist, to light the globe of Earth Through clouds of smoke and darkling damps, how soon The joys of Earth would die! How would the race Below then want all light and life! How too The sun would lack his dazzling majesty, Circling his daily round! I see the skies Piled up with gloom, the stars confused with fright. Disorders fell and chaos, where now law 240 And order reign, should once the fount of light Plunge with its splendors into some dark fen. Think not too harshly then, I do beseech Thee, Gabriel, if now thy trumpet's voice, The new-made law given by the High Command, I do resist, or seemingly oppose. We strive for God's own honor, yea, to give To God His Right, should I become thus daring And wander far beyond the narrow path Of my obedience.