The Three Enemies
The Three Enemies
Original Text
Christina Rossetti, Goblin Market and other Poems (Cambridge: Macmillan, 1862). end R673 G63 1862 Fisher Rare Book Library (Toronto). Text from Christina Rossetti, Poems (1890).
2 "More pale to see,
3Christ hung upon the cruel tree
4And bore His Father's wrath for me."
5"Sweet, thou art sad."
7More heavy, Christ for my sake trod
8The winepress of the wrath of God."
9"Sweet, thou art weary."
10 "Not so Christ:
11Whose mighty love of me suffic'd
12For Strength, Salvation, Eucharist."
13"Sweet, thou art footsore."
14 "If I bleed,
15His feet have bled; yea in my need
THE WORLD
17"Sweet, thou art young."18 "So He was young
19Who for my sake in silence hung
20Upon the Cross with Passion wrung."
21"Look, thou art fair."
22 "He was more fair
23Than men, Who deign'd for me to wear
24A visage marr'd beyond compare."
25"And thou hast riches."
26 "Daily bread:
27All else is His: Who, living, dead,
28For me lack'd where to lay His Head."
29"And life is sweet."
30 "It was not so
31To Him, Whose Cup did overflow
32With mine unutterable woe."
THE DEVIL
33"Thou drinkest deep."35He drain'd the dregs from out my cup:
36So how should I be lifted up?"
37"Thou shalt win Glory."
38 "In the skies,
39Lord Jesus, cover up mine eyes
40Lest they should look on vanities."
41"Thou shalt have Knowledge."
42 "Helpless dust!
43In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust:
44Answer Thou for me, Wise and Just."
45"And Might."--
46 "Get thee behind me. Lord,
47Who hast redeem'd and not abhorr'd
48My soul, oh keep it by Thy Word."
Notes
1] Written in June 1851, and first published in the 1862 collection. Back to Line
6] The wine-press of the wrath of God. Cf. Isaiah 63: 2-3. Back to Line
16] Cf. Isaiah 53: 2-3. Back to Line
34] "Get thee behind me." Cf. Mark 8: 33. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1862
RPO poem Editors
Margaret Frances (Sister St. Francis) Nims
RPO Edition
3RP 3.302.
Form