The Three Enemies

Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830–1894)

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 wine-press of the wrath of God.”

“Sweet, thou art weary.”
“Not so Christ:

Whose mighty love of me sufficed

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 deigned for me to wear

A visage marred beyond compare.”

“And thou hast riches.”
“Daily bread:

All else is his; who living, dead,

For me lacked 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 drained 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.”