THE FLESH <br /> <br /> "Sweet, thou art pale." <br /> "More pale to see, <br /> Christ hung upon the cruel tree <br /> And bore His Father's wrath for me." <br /> <br /> "Sweet, thou art sad." <br /> "Beneath a rod <br /> More heavy, Christ for my sake trod <br /> The winepress of the wrath of God." <br /> <br /> "Sweet, thou art weary." <br /> "Not so Christ: <br /> Whose mighty love of me suffic'd <br /> For Strength, Salvation, Eucharist." <br /> <br /> "Sweet, thou art footsore." <br /> "If I bleed, <br /> His feet have bled; yea in my need <br /> His Heart once bled for mine indeed." <br /> <br />THE WORLD <br /> <br /> "Sweet, thou art young." <br /> "So He was young <br /> Who for my sake in silence hung <br /> Upon the Cross with Passion wrung." <br /> <br /> "Look, thou art fair." <br /> "He was more fair <br /> Than men, Who deign'd for me to wear <br /> A visage marr'd beyond compare." <br /> <br /> "And thou hast riches." <br /> "Daily bread: <br /> All else is His: Who, living, dead, <br /> For me lack'd where to lay His Head." <br /> <br /> "And life is sweet." <br /> "It was not so <br /> To Him, Whose Cup did overflow <br /> With mine unutterable woe." <br /> <br />THE DEVIL <br /> <br /> "Thou drinkest deep." <br /> "When Christ would sup <br /> He drain'd the dregs from out my cup: <br /> So how should I be lifted up?" <br /> <br /> "Thou shalt win Glory." <br /> "In the skies, <br /> Lord Jesus, cover up mine eyes <br /> Lest they should look on vanities." <br /> <br /> "Thou shalt have Knowledge." <br /> "Helpless dust! <br /> In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust: <br /> Answer Thou for me, Wise and Just." <br /> <br /> "And Might."-- <br /> "Get thee behind me. Lord, <br /> Who hast redeem'd and not abhorr'd <br /> My soul, oh keep it by Thy Word."<br /><br />Christina Georgina Rossetti<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-three-enemies/
