262 THE KING'S MIRROR 



ceasing happiness and unending life in my noble service. 

 And I give you all a free choice to keep these laws or to 

 break them as you may prefer, in order that those who 

 observe them may be set apart as my chosen jewels, 

 while those who violate them shall suffer hatred and be 

 driven into cruel thralldom and wretched service." 



These angels were all fair, but one was more handsome 

 than all the rest, wherefore he was called Lucifer; he 

 was appointed chief of many angels and a great multi- 

 tude made obeisance to him in service and friendship. 

 But God having finished his speech, Lucifer turned away 

 from God with all his following as if toward the north 

 and spoke thus: " Why should we suffer threats from 

 God in return for our service, seeing that we have power, 

 beauty and numbers in full measure to maintain our 

 prestige PJNow I intend, like God, to set up a high-seat 

 in the northern part of heavenf and to extend a wise 

 control over half of heaven or even more." Then God 

 answered and said to Lucifer: "Since thou hast broken 

 the law by treacherous rebellion, thou canst no longer 

 have habitation with us; and whereas thou wouldst en- 

 joy dominion, depart to the kingdom that is prepared 

 for thee, where thou shalt have suffering instead of free- 

 dom, misery instead of bliss, sorrows of every kind but 

 no joy. Let all those go with thee who did not oppose 

 thy design." And as God looked upon them in his wrath, 

 all the heavens trembled before His countenance; and 

 His enemies fled with a terrible downfall, and they suf- 



* The statement that Lucifer planned to set up a rival throne in the northern 

 regions of heaven also appears in the Michaels Saga (Heilagra Manna Sogur, 

 I, 677). It was apparently a common belief in medieval Christendom and was 

 based on Isaiah, xiv, 13. 



