Lucifer monologue (Act 2) — Vondel's Lucifer

My sons, upon whose faith and loyalty No stain of treason lies, all that God wills, All He demands of us, is right: I know No other law; and stay, as Stadtholder Of God, His late decree and His resolve With all my might. This sceptre which I bear, To my right hand the great Omnipotent 540 Gave, as a mark of mercy and a sign Of His love and affection for us all. Doth now His mind and heart to Adam turn, And doth it please Him now to set mankind In full dominion us above--them over Both you and me to crown, though in our charge We ne'er grew weary, yet what remedy? Who will oppose such resolution here? Had He to Adam given an equal rank, A nature like unto the Angel world, 550 It were supportable for all the sons Of Heaven, sprung from God's lineage; now let Them be displeased, if such displeasure be On high not counted as a stain. However, There is a danger on each side--to yield Through fearfulness, or boldly to oppose. I wish that your resentment He forgive.