First Prince In Some Lower Court [Vondel's Lucifer - First Movement]
It is not meet for Domination's grave. Powers well-disposed in state, thus to give up So loosely their established rights! And since The Supreme Power is by His laws most bound To change becomes Him least. Let all yield Who will not one foot shall I e'er retreat. Nor hardships dire Nor yet disaster nor anathemas Shall me intimidate or tame For Here is my Fatherland Am I a son of lights, a ruler of the lights. My place, I shall maintain, to no usurper bow Not even this Arch-usurper. To be the first prince in some lower court Is better than within the Blessed light To be the second, the second, or even less. To die, or to gain port around this dreadful cape. This is my destiny!
Doth fate decree, that I must fall of rank and honors shorn Then let me fall ; but fall with this, my crown Upon my brow, this sceptre in my grasp With my own retinue of faithful troops. And with these many thousands on my side. Aye, thus to fall brings honour and shall shed Unfading glory on my name
Am I a son Of Lights a ruler of the lights. My place, I shall maintain, to no usurper bow Not even this Arch-usurper. To be the first prince in some lower court Is better than within the Blessed light To be the second, the second, or even less.