THE TWO TEMPTATIONS

THE TWO TEMPTATIONS
I.
The Tempter came before the Son of God,
And said: "If Thou be God, command these stones
To rise up bread."--And He replied and said:
"It is not meet that I should break my fast
With bread made out of stones, for Man shall live
By the word of God, and not by bread alone."
II.
The Tempter came before the Son of Man,
And said: "If Thou be God, incline Thyself
And fall, for it is written that His angels
Shall bear Thee up."--And He replied and said:
"Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, for I
Am not of Heaven, but of the Earth, and Man."
III.
The Tempter came before the Son of God,
And showed Him all the kingdoms of the world,
And said: "All these will I give unto Thee,
If Thou wilt fall down and worship me."--
And He replied and said: "Away from me,
Thou Devil! for thou shalt not tempt the Lord."