Vondel's Lucifer (Act II, lines 414-492) - Joost van den Vondel

Belial:

God's Stadtholder doth serve himself with us

On high.

Apollion:

               We fly together from his bow

Like speeding arrows.

Belial:

                                     And both aimèd are

Even at one mark, though perilous to reach.

Apollion:

Ere long the Heavens shall crack 'neath our tempt.

Belial:

Let crack what will, the matter must proceed.

Apollion:

How then this cause to best advantage grasp?

Belial:

The weapons favor us: we first must gain

The guard.

Apollion:

                     The chieftains first, and with them we

The bravest troops must then succeed in winning.

Belial:

Through something specious, 'neath some seeming 'guised.

Apollion:

Name thou this thing. Come, say what thou shalt call it.

Belial:

Our Angel Realm must be maintained, its state,

Its honor, and its privilege, so choose

A chief, on whom each can reliance place.

Apollion:

Thou comprehendest well: no better cause

I wish as seed for mutiny, to set

The court against its subjects, throng 'gainst throng.

For each among us is inclined to guard

That honor, rank, and lawful privilege

Unto him given by the Omnipotent

Ere He created man, an after-thought.

The celestial palace is our heritage.

To the Spirits, who above float on their wings,

Who, incorporeal, therefore, ne'er can sink,

This place is more adapt than to the race

Of Earth, too sluggish far to choose against

Their nature these clear bows. Here shines the day

Too bright, too strong. Their eyes cannot endure

That splendid light, upon whose glow we gaze.

Then let man keep in his native element,

As other creatures do. Let him suffice

The bounds of his terrestrial Paradise,

Where the rising and the setting of the sun

And moon divide the months and form the year.

Let him observe, in their wide-circling round,

The crystal spheres. Let Eden's pleasant fruits

Content him, and its flowers that breathe perfume.

To range from East to West, from North to South:

Let this his pastime be. What needs he more?

We'll ne'er bring homage to an earthly lord.

Thus I resolve. Canst thou more briefly yet

This meaning state?

Belial:

                                   For all eternity,

Mankind to lock without the gate of Heaven.

Apollion:

That tinkles well in the Angelic ear.

That flashes like a flame from choir to choir

Through Orders nine and all the Hierarchies.

Belial:

So shall we best a pining slowness feign;

Though all our bliss and our deliverance

On speed and expedition hang.

Apollion:

                                                  Not less

On dexterous management depends, nor less

On courage and on bravery.

Belial:

                                              That shall

Increase, as countless bannered bands accede.

Apollion:

They even now are murmuring: then we

Should act with secrecy, share in their hopes,

And nourish their complaints.

Belial:

                                                  And then it were

Most opportune that Belzebub, a chief

Of power and eminence, should tender them

His seal, to force their vested Rights and gain

Redress of grievances.

Apollion:

                                     Not all at once,

But gradually, as if by by-paths won.

Belial:

Then let the Stadtholder himself approach,

And in support of such a proud resolve

Offer his mighty arm.

Apollion:

                                     We soon shall hear,

When in the Council, his opinion

And his intent: then let him for a while

His thoughts dissemble and, at last, spur on

The maddened throng, embarrassed for a head.

Belial:

Upon the head depends the whole affair.

Whatever thy promises, without a chief

They'll ne'er commence so hazardous a cause.

Apollion:

What hath been wonk no need to win again!

Who most hath lost in glory and in state,

Him doth it most concern. Let him precede,

And beat the measure for a myriad feet.

Belial:

Both equity and reason would demand

He wear the crown; though, ere we deeper go,

Let us all dangers weigh and nothing do

Unless all Councillors affix their seals.

---

Joost van den Vondel (1587 – 1679) The Netherlands

Translated by Charles Leonard van Noppen

Act II, lines 414-492

Source: Project Gutenberg: J. van Vondel's Lucifer A tragedy 1654

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