Luciferians monologue (Act 2) — Vondel's Lucifer

Chief Lord, whose potent word unnumbered bands Would call to arms, thou comest most opportune To soothe our misery and to prevent By thy great power this threatened injury 290 And undeserved disgrace. Shall Gabriel The sacred crown of the holy Angels place On Adam's head: through Adam's son and heir Crush God's first-born? 'Twere better far had we Not been made ere the splendor-dazzling sun His chariot mounted and in Heaven shone. The Godhead chose in vain the Spirits as guards Of these immobile courts, if thus He shall. Against their vested Rights, Himself oppose; Who guiltless to resistance are provoked 300 By dire impatience and necessity. We were rejoicing here, enraptured with The praise to God outpoured, were bowing low In deep humility, and worshipping 'Mid burning censers with devotion flamed:-- All-quivering with the rippling notes, the Heavens, From choir to choir, unto the sound gave ear-- Yea, melted slowly in delicious joy, With song and harp enchanted--when the trump Of Gabriel 'mid the rising harmony 310 Blew that decree, and midst the glory fell This sudden thunderbolt of night. There lay We all amazed, dispersed, with gloom depressed. The gladness died away. Hushed were the throats Pregnant with praise. The youngest son was given The crown, the sceptre, and the blessing, while The eldest-born, thus disinherited, By Majesty Supreme, marked as a slave Remains. That is the part obedience, Devotion, love, and faithfulness receive 320 From God's rich treasury, that mourning brings; That wrath enkindles, and thoughts of revenge, Grown out of righteous hate, to smother in His blood this upstart man, ere he shall crush The Angels in their state; and they be forced, As base and craven slaves, with fetters bound, To run before his lash and at his will, Even as he keeps the beasts beneath in awe. Chief Lord, thou canst prevent our fall, and by Our charter yet preserve our Rights: protect 330 Us by thy power. We are prepared even now To follow 'neath thy standard and command, To be thy troops. Lead on. 'Tis glorious To battle for one's honor, crown, and Right.