When He ascended into Heaven, He left to thee the Seal of the Kingdom of Heaven, that thou might’st seal the Elect, that whosoever should aspire to Eternal Life might come to thee, pray to thee, and enter by thee, for if he be not sealed with thy Seal, no man may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, O Lady, have compassion upon us, and seal us with the Seal of thy Grace. For who is there so craven-spirited and foolish as not to love thee with all his Heart, thee who hast been chosen by the Most High, and prepared from all Eternity? Who is there that does not reverence and honour thee, when He Whom all the Heavenly Host adore hath clothed thee with such Honour? Who would not readily adore thy Footsteps, to whom the Lord of Majesty so humbly inclined, whom He so intimately embraced, to whom he was joined in so great a Love? We therefore beseech thee, O Lady, by Him and through Him, despise not our petitions {Antiphon at Compline in the Office of the B.V.M.} in our Necessities, but deliver us at all Times from all Dangers, O Glorious and ever blessed Lady! VII THE ANSWER OF MY LADY POVERTY To these Words my Lady Poverty, with joyful Heart, and cheerful Mien, and most sweet Voice, made answer, saying: I confess to you, my Brothers and most dear Friends, that from the moment you began to speak, I was filled with Gladness and exceeding great Joy, for I acknowledge your Fervour, and already know your Holy Intent; your words are dearer to me than Gold and Precious {Ps. xviii. 11.} Stones, and sweeter far than Honey and the Honeycomb. For it is not you that speak, {Mark xiii. 11.} but the Holy Ghost that speaketh in you, and it is His {1 John ii. 27.} Unction that inspires you in all the things which you have spoken concerning the Most High King, Who by His Grace alone chose me as His Beloved, taking away my Reproach {Luke i. 25.} among Men, and glorifying me among the Highest in Heaven. Therefore I desire, if it will not weary you, to tell you the story of my Estate. It is a long Story, but not less useful, and will teach you how to walk with God and please {Gen. v. 22.} Him, giving heed that you who wish to put your hands {Luke ix. 62.} to the plough in no wise look back.