Archangels

THE ARCHANGELS' CHORUS from The Prologue In Heaven
Faust Part One

RAPHAEL

In ways of old the sun sounds forth,
In brother spheres' contesting song,
Completing his prewritten course
With thunder as he moves along.
His aspect gives the angels might,
Though none may fathom his foundation:
Works, great beyond thought's grasp, are bright
As on the first day of creation.

GABRIEL

And swiftly, swift beyond thought's grasping,
Earth's splendour spins and changes bright
Of paradise's shine, with each turn's passing,
To deep and shudder-filled, dark night.
And in broad streams up-foams the ocean
Upon the rocks' deep-founded base;
And rock and sea sweep on in motion:
In planets' swift, eternal race.

MICHAEL

And rival tempests rage and sound
From land to sea, from sea to land;
In fury form a chain, a band
Of deepest working all around.
There flashing desolations sear
The path before the thunder play;
Yet Lord, Your messengers revere
The gentle changes of Your day.

ALL THREE

This aspect gives the angels might,
While none may fathom Your foundation.
And all of Your high works are bright
As on the first day of creation.

From Faust Part 1- Goethe. Translation (c) Mark Scrivener 2001