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HOW THE BLESSED FRANCIS AND HIS COMPANIONS FOUND THE LADY POVERTY ON THE MOUNTAIN
And when he had thus spoken, they followed after the Blessed Francis. And as with light feet they hastened to the summit of the Mountain, they beheld my Lady Poverty on the topmost Pinnacle gazing down the Mountain. And when she saw them climbing thus valiantly, nay, as it were, rather flying towards her, she marvelled exceedingly, and said to herself: Who are these that ♦Isa. lx. 8.♦ fly like the Clouds and as Doves to their windows? It is long since I saw such as these, or looked upon men so free from trammels. Therefore will I speak to them of the things which I ponder in my Heart, lest, like the rest, they should repent them of their hardy ascent when they behold the dizzying abyss below. I know they cannot possess me without my consent, but I shall find Favour before my Heavenly Father if I give them the Counsels of Salvation. And behold a Voice spoke unto her, saying: Fear not, Daughter of Sion, ♦John xii. 15.♦ for these are of the Seed which the Lord hath blessed. He hath elected them in Charity ♦2 Cor. vi. 6.♦ unfeigned. So from the Throne of her Neediness, the Lady Poverty presented them with ♦Ps. xx. 4.♦ Blessings of Sweetness, and said unto them: Tell me the cause of your Advent, my Brothers, and why you hasten thus speedily from the Valley of Tears to the Mountain of Light. Can it indeed be that you seek me who am poor and needy, tossed by the tempest, ♦Isa. liv. 11.♦ and bereft of all consolation?