html entities xml text()

html entities xml text()

Hello,

I have an XML file and it contains this text:
sdfasdf :) asdfa <script>alert('asdf');</script> <hr /> :):)   


As you can see i have replaced <, >, with the UTF-8 code.

Now when i use this code:
var message = $(this).text();   


Suddenly all the HTML entities are decoded,
So &lt; = < and &gt = >

I just want it to stay &gt; and &lt;

Can somebody please help me out.

Thank you very much!