DEDICATION

I did not shudder to undergo original: "subire nō horrui," continuing the thought of accepting a difficult or divine task from the previous page. You could not (you say) read anything else, for the holy man did not permit it; he who then showed you the seven seals signacula septem: In the biblical Book of Revelation, these seals secure a scroll containing God's plan for the end of the world; opening them triggers a series of apocalyptic events. of the whole book, of which four had already been set aside and already loosened, and the remaining three were yet to be loosened and opened.

One of these he held in his hands, and then, in your presence, a sacred and glorious resounding trumpet began to sound; he loosened one of the aforementioned seals, and perfectly opened the fifth seal. Looking around at this and trembling with fear, you fell upon your face, and upon the altar of God you saw the souls of countless slain people original: "animas interfectorum," a reference to Revelation 6:9, where the souls of martyrs who died for their faith are seen under the altar, and you heard many voices all around, crying out without end: "Woe, woe, woe!" original: "veh, veh, veh," the traditional Latin cry of lamentation corresponding to the biblical "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth."

You saw other greater and more extensive things following, which you claim you are unable to recount, even if a long space of time were granted to you. You recite these things and even more extensive ones in your letters. For that reason, [the scent] of your holy virtues...