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.
"

Biography | Poems | Best Poems | Short Poems | Quotes | Email Poem |

Poems are below...