Friday, November 21, 2008

The Temptation of St. Anthony (Part two)



Frued noted the case of St. Anthony as a typical case of repression.

A hermit that travelled out to the desert .

for 13 years he anguished in that desert

in fight with Beelzebub

who inflicted unspeakable tortures

boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women.

to deal with such things, Anthony cast himself into
an empty tomb

terrified of the demon and devout to god

when he released him self the devil beat him
until his fist were
drenched in anthony's blood.

The saint took refuge alone again,
now in a deserted romans bath house

another 20 years did this battle rage


alone

The Devil struck at him with snakes, scorpions, wolves, and wild beast

Then he opened the door and proclaimed

"If thou had any power over me,
just one would suffice to destroy"

he then walked out of that desert and went to Alexandria

and succeeded in his intent to be martyred for his beliefs

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