By this romantic, story-telling method Mechthild has appealed to the fancy and emotion of the reader, and has enticed him into the heart of the spiritual situation. Next, she passes to her intellectual appeal; the argument between the soul and the senses. From this she proceeds, by a transition which seems to be free and natural, yet is the outcome of consummate art, to the supreme declarations of the deified spirit “at home with the Lord,” as St. Paul said. The dialogue moves by the process of reduction to a demonstration of God as the only satisfaction of the questing soul which has surrendered to the incantations of Reality. One after another, substitutes for the First and Only Fair are offered and rejected. The soul says to the senses, which are her vassals: “Now I am for a while weary of the dance. Give place! for I would go where I may refresh myself.” Then say the senses to the soul: “Lady, wilt thou refresh thyself in the tears of love of St. Mary Magdalene? This may well satisfy thee?” But the soul says: “Hush, sirs, you know not what I mean! Let me be, for I would drink a little of the unmingled wine.” Then say the senses: “Oh Bride, in virgin chastity, Is the Love of God made ready for thee.” And the soul says: “Even so; yet though high and pure it be, That path is not the highest for me.” And the senses: “In the blood of the martyred saints May’st thou refresh thy soul that faints.” And the soul: “I have been martyred so many a day, I cannot now tread in that way.” And the senses: “By the wise Confessors’ side, The pure in heart love to abide.” And the soul: “And their counsel will I obey, Both when I go and when I stay; And yet I cannot walk their way.” And the senses: “In the Apostles’ wisdom pure, May’st thou find a refuge sure.” And the soul: “I have their wisdom here in my heart, And with it I choose the better part.” And the senses: “O Bride, the angels are fair and bright, Full of God’s love, full of God’s light; Would’st thou refresh thee, mount to their height.” And the soul: “The angel’s joy is but heartache to me, If their Lord and my Bridegroom I do not see.” And the senses: “In holy penance refresh thee and save, That God to St. John Baptist gave.” And the soul: “I am ready for pain, ready for grief, Yet the combat of love is first and chief.” And the senses: