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."