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“The Three Enemies” by Christina Rossetti 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (5 Dec 1830 – 29 Dec 1894)
The Flesh
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“Sweet thou art pale.”
“More pale to see
Christ hung upon the cruel tree
And bore His Father’s wrath for me.”
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“Sweet thou art sad.”
“Beneath a rod
More heavy Christ for my sake trod
The winepress of the wrath of God.”
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“Sweet thou art weary.”
“Not so Christ:
Whose mighty love of me sufficed
For Strength Salvation Eucharist.”
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“Sweet thou art footsore.”
“If I bleed
His feet have bled: yea in my need
His Heart once bled for mine indeed.”
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The World
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“Sweet thou art young.”
“So He was young
Who for my sake in silence hung
Upon the Cross with Passion wrung.”
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“Look thou art fair.”
“He was more fair
Than men Who deigned for me to wear
A visage marred beyond compare.”
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“And thou hast riches.”
“Daily bread:
All else is His; Who living dead
For me lacked where to lay His Head.”
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“And life is sweet.”
“It was not so
To Him Whose Cup did overflow
With mine unutterable woe.”
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The Devil
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“Thou drinkest deep.”
“When Christ would sup
He drained the dregs from out my cup:
So how should I be lifted up?”
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“Thou shalt win Glory.”
“In the skies
Lord Jesus cover up mine eyes
Lest they should look on vanities.”
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“Thou shalt have Knowledge.”
“Helpless dust
In Thee O Lord I put my trust:
Answer Thou for me Wise and Just.”
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“And Might.”
“Get thee behind me. Lord
Who hast redeemed and not abhorred
My soul O keep it by Thy Word.”