Christina Georgina Rossetti

The Three Enemies

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. "