Letter 8004: Among the apostolic ranks and the holy prophets,

IV To the Virgins Among the apostolic ranks and the holy prophets the virgin holds rewards next to those of the martyrs. Going onward, encircled with starry light, the chaste maiden is joined to the angelic choirs. With the fruit of chastity, to be endowed with heaven's talent, she is led into the bridal chambers of the eternal King. A lovely crown girds her head with a threefold diadem, and gems adorn her breast, her neck, her hair. Upon her tender limbs purple is laid as an outer garment, and a mantle gleaming with the whiteness of snow covers her. With eternal flowers the rose and the lily feed her eyes, and the fragrance of paradise enters her nostrils. Wherefore the more, sweet one, we urge you to seek out those things which Christ bestowed upon Eugenia and upon nurturing Thecla. Virgin of God, fruit of heaven, victory over the world, that you may reign forever, seek these riches of the King. There are palaces built of chrysolite and gems, and the doorway grows green with an emerald post. The thresholds bloom with the varied light of sardonyx, and a row of hyacinth-stone surrounds the house. Golden roofs glitter, a golden people shines in the hall, and with the holy King the glittering throng gleams. That is the place of the maidens who here, for love of the light, keep faith with the Lord in body and in mind. Look down upon what belongs to the earth, and you shall sit, resplendent, among the stars, that as a pleasing bride of Christ you may dwell in the heavenly realms. The present life passes by in time too fleeting; the virgin's integrity remains to be glorified. A little poverty entreats you, together with the rich Christ, that you may come, sweet foster-child, into our bosom, whereby, about to obtain the Father's help from the Lord, you may pray, and prepare for yourself the blessed realms in heaven, that likewise, joined to holy Mary, you may deserve to celebrate together her joys in an everlasting choir. Whatever pledges you receive into your pious hands, you are not to wed a man, but be the beloved of God.

IV Ad Virgines Inter apostolicas acies sacrosque prophetas proxima martyribus praemia virgo tenet. splendida sidereo circumdata lumine pergens iungitur angelicis casta puella choris. fruge pudicitiae caeli dotanda talento aeterni regis ducitur in thalamis. pulchra corona caput triplici diademate cingit et gemmae exornant pectora colla comam. induitur teneris superaddita purpura membris et candore nivis fulgida palla tegit. floribus aeternis oculos rosa lilia pascunt, et paradisiacus naribus intrat odor. unde magis, dulcis, hortamur ut ista requiras quae dedit Eugeniae Christus et alma Theclae. virgo dei, fructus caeli, victoria mundi ut semper regnes, has pete regis opes. sunt ibi chrysolithis fabricata palatia gemmis atque zmaragdineo ianua poste viret. limina sardonychum variato lumine florent et hyacintheus circuit ordo domum. aurea tecta micant, plebs aurea fulget in aula et cum rege pio turba corusca nitet. ille puellarum locus est, quae lucis amore hic servant domino corpore mente fidem. despice quod terrae est, et clara sedebis in astris, Christi ut sponsa placens regna superna colas. praesens vita nimis fugitivo tempore transit: virginis integritas glorificanda manet. paupertas te parva rogat cum divite Christo, ut venias nostro dulcis alumna sinu, quo patris auxilium domino obtentura preceris atque tibi caelis regna beata pares, ut pariter sanctae merearis iuncta Mariae gaudia perpetuo concelebrare choro. has quaecumque piis manibus susceperis arras non nuptura homini, sed sis amata dei.