Vondel's Lucifer Part 31

Be still! be still! thou art by Michael spied.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Be still! Be still! thou art by Michael spied!"]

MICHAEL. BELZEBUB. LUCIFERIANS.

Michael:

Where are we? What great noise arises here?

This seems a court of tumult and dispute, Instead of peace, obedience, and faith.

Prince Belzebub, what reasons move thee thus, Head of rebellious hordes, to aid a cause So pregnant with such G.o.dless treachery, Against that G.o.d the refuge of us all? 400

Belzebub:

Mercy, O Michael! Deem us worthy words Explanatory, ere in zealous wrath Thou dost thy sentence for G.o.d's honor pa.s.s.

Impute to us no guilt.

Michael:

Your innocence Establish. I shall patiently attend.

Belzebub:

The a.s.semblage of so many thousand troops, Disturbed by G.o.d's command, through Gabriel's trumpet From out the Throne of Thrones proclaimed, demands Some mediation that shall quench this flame; Wherefore I came to gain a better sense 410 Of the ground of their complaints, to quell as best I could this mutiny. But they began With frantic haste and raving recklessness To force their clamorous claims upon me. I Then made attempt their forces to disperse (Let to my faith these faithful choristers Their witness bear), to counsel that they pour Their grievances before G.o.d's Throne; but 'mid This tumult and this clamor, vain my zeal, As if to calm a sea swollen to the skies. 420 Let now the Field-marshal lead on; we are Prepared to follow, if he see a way To smooth this difference.

Michael:

Who dares oppose Himself to G.o.d and His most holy will?

And who so bold these warlike banners thus To plant within the virgin Realm of peace?

If ye through envoys wish to treat on high, For your defence, we will your cause a.s.sume And mediate with G.o.d that He forgive: Or else beware your heads! This ne'er succeeds. 430

Luciferians:

And wouldst thou then oppress our holy Right By force of arms? Unto the Field-marshal They were not given for such purpose dire.

We rest alone upon our vested Rights.

Most bold and strong is conscious righteousness.

Michael:

Least righteous he who would rebel 'gainst G.o.d.

Luciferians:

We serve G.o.d. He has for His service found Us ever worthy. Let the Heavens remain In their first state. Nor let the honored sons Of the Fatherland celestial thus be placed 440 Beneath mankind in rank and dignity.

For such disgrace the Thrones and Hierarchies, The Powers and Dominations, high and low, Of Spirits, of Angels, and of great Archangels, Shall ne'er endure. Ah! nay, although, forsooth, Thy lightning spear should pierce them, breast on breast, Through their most faithful hearts. From Adam's race We never shall such bold defiance brook.

Michael:

I will that each depart, even as I wave My hand. He G.o.d and G.o.dhead doth oppose. 450 Who now, forsworn, 'gainst us shall take his stand.

Depart unto your posts. That is the duty Of soldiers and of loyal sons of Heaven.

What violence? What impious threat is this?

Who wages war, save 'neath my banner bold, Doth fight 'gainst G.o.d and doth oppose His Realm.

Luciferians:

Who wards his Right need fear no violence.

Nature made each defender of his Right.

Michael:

'Tis my command ye lay your weapons down.

Such gathering breaks your honor and your oath. 460

Luciferians:

The hosts Angelic are by nature bound In union strong. They stand or fall together.

Not one alone is touched in this dispute, But one and all.

Michael:

Would ye with weapons then In such tumultuousness the Heavens embroil?

These were not given you to use 'gainst G.o.d.

Abuse your power, then fear the Power Supreme.

Luciferians:

The Stadtholder we hourly here await.

In haste he hath been summoned to attend.

We'll venture all, 'gainst G.o.ds arraying G.o.ds, 470 Rather than thus our Rights resign through force.

Michael:

So great an indiscretion I shall never From Heaven's Stadtholder await.

Luciferians:

It seems More like an indiscretion thus to place Those older and first born, like servile slaves, Beneath the yoke of him, the youngest-born.

But that the Angels now defend their kind, And here against their peers, in rank and state And being, contend, is indiscretion called.

Michael:

O stiff-necked kind, ye are no longer sons 480 Of Light; but rather are a b.a.s.t.a.r.d race, Which yields not even to G.o.d. Ye but provoke The lightning stroke and wrath implacable.

Harden your hearts, lo! what calamity And what a fall for you reserved! Ye heed Nor counsel nor advice. We'll see what us Enjoined is on high by Voice Supreme.

Come, then; I wish now all the choristers And hosts yet righteous and yet virtuous To part, at once, from these rebellious throngs. 490

Luciferians: