Rafael monologue (Act 3) — Vondel's Lucifer

The whole of Heaven, from base to topmost crown Of her chief palaces, resounds with joy, As Michael's trumpets blow and banners wave. The field is won. Our shields shine splendidly, Shaping new suns. From every shield-sun streams A day triumphant forth. Lo! from the fight, See, Uriel proud, the armor-bearer, comes; And waves the flaming, keen, two-edged sword, That, whet with Heaven's wrath and vengeance, flashed, Amid the fray, through shield and mail and helm 10 Of diamond, left and right, through all that dared Oppose the all-piercing Power, Omnipotence. O armor-bearer, most austere, who art The executioner on high, and dost With one strong, righteous stroke compose the Wrong That would rebel against eternal Right, Blest be thy sword and arm, that thus maintain And guard the honor of our Angel Realm. What praise reserved for thee by Majesty Supreme! Oh! pray relate to us the strife: 20 Unfold to us the management of this, The first campaign in Heaven. We listen, then, In expectation rapt.