The Three Enemies

Christina Georgina Rossetti

THE FLESH

     "Sweet, thou art pale."
         "More pale to see,
     Christ hung upon the cruel tree
     And bore His Father's wrath for me."

     "Sweet, thou art sad."
         "Beneath a rod
     More heavy, Christ for my sake trod
     The winepress of the wrath of God."

     "Sweet, thou art weary."
       "Not so Christ:
   Whose mighty love of me suffic'd
   For Strength, Salvation, Eucharist."

   "Sweet, thou art footsore."
       "If I bleed,
   His feet have bled; yea in my need
   His Heart once bled for mine indeed."

THE WORLD

   "Sweet, thou art young."
       "So He was young
   Who for my sake in silence hung
   Upon the Cross with Passion wrung."

   "Look, thou art fair."
       "He was more fair
   Than men, Who deign'd for me to wear
   A visage marr'd beyond compare."

   "And thou hast riches."
       "Daily bread:
   All else is His: Who, living, dead,
   For me lack'd where to lay His Head."

   "And life is sweet."
       "It was not so
   To Him, Whose Cup did overflow
   With mine unutterable woe."

THE DEVIL

   "Thou drinkest deep."
       "When Christ would sup
   He drain'd the dregs from out my cup:
   So how should I be lifted up?"

   "Thou shalt win Glory."
       "In the skies,
   Lord Jesus, cover up mine eyes
   Lest they should look on vanities."

   "Thou shalt have Knowledge."
       "Helpless dust!
   In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust:
   Answer Thou for me, Wise and Just."

   "And Might."--
       "Get thee behind me. Lord,
   Who hast redeem'd and not abhorr'd
   My soul, oh keep it by Thy Word."

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