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The pacific King had erected the fortress of Libanua, for protecting Jerusalem against Damascus. The haughty prince of Babylon, the enemy of peace, was enraged; he collected his armies against it, and wished to overthrow it. But he who gives and preserves peace, surrounded his fortress by magnificent and impregnable ramparts. Not only the darts of the enemy were powerless, but they returned against those who launched them and gave them death. So, when the old serpent saw Catherine, so young, mounting to such a high degree of perfection, he feared lest, with her salvation, that of many others would be secured; and that she might assist the Church by her virtues and her teaching. He therefore sought in his infernal malice, every means of seducing her; but the God of mercy, who permitted these attacks, in order to augment the glory of his spouse, gave her such excellent weapons wherewith to combat, that the war proved more profitable to her than peace. He first inspired her with the thought of asking God for the gift of fortitude: she did so continually during several days; and God to recompense her prayer, gave her the following instructions:

"Daughter, if thou wilt acquire fortitude, thou must imitate me. I could have, by my divine power, arrested the effort of Satan, and have taken other means of overcoming