Lucifer’s Dream

Lucifer:

Tis thus I weigh the stroke,

nor harm nor hindrance fear.

But here, hardby, comes Heaven's Interpreter and Herald vigilant,

with God's own book of mysteries,

committed to his care.

Well, most opportune for us his coming hither;

For I would question him.

I shall accost him then,

and from my chariot descend.

Lucifer:

The Spirits once consecrate

To service in empyreal palaces

Shall serve an Earth-worm

that from out the dust hath crawled and grown;

and on his bidding wait,

And see him them excel in rank and numbers.

Why doth the endless Mercy us degrade so soon?

What Angel hath forgot to render

due reverence?

How could the deity mingle with base mankind

and thus pass by the nature of His chosen Angels here,

While His own nature and His Being

He pours into a body?—

Shall now eternity's bright,

quenchless sun set in the gathering darkness of the world?

Shall we, the Stadtholder of God,

thus kneel before this shadow power?