Lucifer. Belzebub. Luciferians

Lucifer:

How holds our army? How is it inclined?

Belzebub:

The army longs, prepared, 'neath thy command, To plunge at once against Michael's armament.

Luciferians:

'Tis true; each waits for Lucifer's command To haste at once, with speedy wings and arms, To steal away from our great enemy His air and wind, and, as he lies confused In helpless swoon, to chain him forcibly.

Lucifer:

How many strong our host? Wherein our strength?

Belzebub:

That grows apace and sweeps on toward us with A rush and roar from every firmament, Like a vast sea aglow with radiant lights. Indeed, a third part of the Heavens embrace Our side, if not the half; for Michael's tide. On every hand, each moment swiftly ebbs. The half, even of the watch and of the chiefs That round the palace guard—of every rank. Of every Hierarchy some—have forsworn Their lord. Prince Michael, even as we. Behold Archangels, Cherubim, and Seraphim Our standards bearing. Even Paradise, Made mournful by the sounds of woe, grows dim In hue, and its bright verdure fades. Wherever The eye doth look, there seem signs of decay; And up above a threatening thunder-cloud Doth seem to hang. This portent bodes our bliss. We need but to begin. Already doth The crown of Heaven rest upon thy brow.

Lucifer:

That sound doth please me more than Gabriel's trump. Attend and listen, ye, beneath this throne; Attend, ye chiefs; attend, ye valiant knights, And hear our charge, in words both clear and brief. Ye know how far in our revengeful course, Against the Ruler of the palaces Supreme, we have advanced: so that it were For us but folly to retreat with hope Of reconciliation; how none dares To think to purify, through mercy, this Our stain indelible: necessity Must therefore be our law, a stronghold sure. From which there is no wavering nor retreat. Defend ye then, ne'er looking back, with all Your might, this standard and my star: in brief The free-created state all Angels own. Let things proceed howe'er they will, press on With heart undaunted and with cheerfulness. Not even the Omnipotence on high hath power Completely to annihilate the being That ye have once, for all eternity. Received. In case ye fiercely shall attack With your whole force, and pierce with violence The heart of your great foe, and chance to win: So shall the hated tyranny of Heaven Into a state of freedom then be changed, And Adam's son and seed, crowned us above In honor, with a retinue of Earth Around, shall not then chain your necks unto The fetters of a slavish bondage that Would make you sweat for him and pant beneath The brazen yoke of servitude forever. If now ye own me as the head and chief Of your free state, even as just now ye swore With one full voice beneath this standard bright, So raise that binding oath again together, That we may hear; and swear allegiance And loyalty unto our morning-star,

Luciferians:

We swear alike by God and Lucifer.

Belzebub:

But see how Rafael with the branch of peace, Astounded and compassionate, flies down To clasp thy neck, with hope of peace and truce.