'Depart,' then said Mercury, 'with this bridal gift, and when you come to those disciples who have seen the Lord himself, show them this sign.' And therewith he gave me a gold ring from his son's finger.

'They know the golden branch which must be consecrated to Proserpina before you can enter the palace of Pluto.

When he sees this ring, perhaps one will open to you with a word the door of that chamber, where sits enthroned in his magnificence the Desire of all Nations, who is known only to the Sages.' "When he had thus spoken, the vision vanished, but the bridal gift which I still held in my hand shewed me that it had not been a mere dream.

It was of gold, but to me more precious than the most prized of all metals.

Unto you I will shew it when I am permitted to see your faces, and to converse with you freely.