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The Summoning of Everyman

The Summoning of Everyman: A Critical, Modernized Edition Based on the Third Quarto . Edited by Jesús Tronch Pérez. Valencia: ARTELOPE - EMOTHE Universitat de València, 2019. Text-only edition first published in 2018.

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) Tronch Pérez, Jesus (Editor)

English · Verso · 921 versos

The TEI encoding of this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0460_TheSummoningOfEveryman

Tiempo histórico: Tiempo alegórico
Datación: anterior o hasta 1518

Bibliografía

Ediciones modernas

Adams, Joseph Quincy, ed. Chief Pre-Shakespearean Dramas. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1924, pp. 423-68. Supposes, pp. 536-67.
Bevington, David, ed. Medieval Drama. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1975.
Bruster, Douglas; Rasmussen, Eric, ed. “Everyman” and “Mankind”. London: Methuen Drama A & C Black, 2009. Arden Early Modern Drama.
Cawley, Arthur C., ed. Everyman and Medieval Miracle Plays. New York: Birmingham-Southern Coll, 1959.
Coldeway, John C., ed. Early English Drama: An Anthology. London and New York: Garland Pub, 1993.
Cooper, Geoffrey; Wortham, Christopher, ed. The Summoning of Everyman. Nedlands, W. A., 1980.
Davidson, Clifford; Walsh, Martin W.; Broos, Ton J., ed. 'Everyman' and Its Dutch Original, 'Elckerlijc'. Kalamazoo: Medieval Institute Publications (University of Rochester), 2007. TEAMS Middle English Texts Series.
Halsall, Paul, ed. Everyman. In: Internet Medieval Sourcebook. Fordham University, 1998. URL: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/everyman.html
Lester, G. A., ed. Three Late Medieval Morality Plays: Mankind, Everyman, Mundus et Infans. London: A & C Black, 1981. New Mermaids.
Walker, Greg, ed. Medieval Drama: An Anthology. Oxford: Blackwell, 2000, pp. 281-297.

Bibliografía crítica

Adolf, Helen. "From 'Everyman' and 'Elckerlijc' to Hofmannsthal and Kafka". Comparative Literature. 1957, 9, 3, p. 204-214.
Bacquet, Paul. "'Everyman' et l'orthodoxie catholique médiévale". Etudes Anglaises: Grande-Bretagne, Etats-Unis. 1982, 35, 3, p. 296-310.
Best, Thomas W. "'Everyman' and Protestantism in the Netherlands and Germany". Daphnis: Zeitschrift Fur Mittlere Deutsche Literatur. 1987, 16, 1-2, p. 13-32.
Bloemendal, Jan. "Transfer and Integration of Latin and Vernacular Drama in the Early Modern Period: The Case of 'Everyman', 'Elckerlijc', 'Homulus' and 'Hecastus'". Arcadia: Internationale Zeitschrift Für Literaturwissenschaft. 2009, 44, 2, p. 274-288.
Bourgne, Florence. "Staging 'Everyman'. A 'Dance of Life,' Or of the Use of Medieval Drama to Re-Energize our Contemporary Stage". Etudes Anglaises: Revue Du Monde Anglophone. 2013, 66, 3, p. 388-401.
Conley, John. "The Doctrine of Friendship in 'Everyman'". Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies. 1969, 44, 3, p. 374-382.
Cunningham, John. "Comedic and Liturgical Restoration in 'Everyman'". Ed. Davidson, Clifford and John H. Stroupe. Drama in the Middle Ages: Comparative and Critical Essays: Second Series. AMS, 1990, p. 368-380.
Freeman, Arthur. "'Everyman' and Others, Part I: Some Fragments of Early English Printing, and their Preservers". Library: The Transactions of the Bibliographical Society. 2008, 9, 3, p. 267-305.
Freeman, Arthur. "'Everyman' and Others, Part II: The Bandinel Fragments". Library: The Transactions of the Bibliographical Society. 2008, 9, 4, p. 397-427.
Frost, Cheryl. "'Everyman' in Performance". LiNQ: (Literature in North Queensland). 1978, 6, 1, p. 39-48.
Garner,Stanton B., Jr. "Theatricality in 'Mankind' and 'Everyman'". Studies in Philology. 1987, 84, 3, p. 272-285.
Godfrey, Bob. "'Everyman' (Re)Considered". European Medieval Drama. 2000, 4, p. 155-168.
Hadfield, Andrew. "The Summoning of Everyman". Ed. edited by Betteridge, Thomas and Greg Walker. The Oxford Handbook of Tudor Drama. Oxford University Press, 2012, p. 9-1083.
Harper, Elizabeth and Britt Mize. "Material Economy, Spiritual Economy, and Social Critique in 'Everyman'". Comparative Drama. 2006, 40, 3, p. 263-311.
Hillman, Richard. "'Everyman' and the Energies of Stasis". Florilegium: Papers on Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. 2016, 7, p. 131-149.
Im, Yeeyon. "The 'Scourge of Penance' and a 'Garment of Sorrow': Catholic Reforms and the Spectacle of the Passion in 'Everyman'". Medieval and Early Modern English Studies. 2016, 24, 2, p. 131-149.
Kolve, V. A. "'Everyman' and the Parable of the Talents". Ed. Sticca, Sandro. The Medieval Drama. Papers of the Third Annual Conference of the Center for Medieval and Early Renaissance Studies. S.U.N.Y. Press, 1979, p. 69-98.
Ladd, Roger A. "'My Condicion is Mannes Soule to Kill' - Everyman's Mercantile Salvation". Comparative Drama. 2007, 41, 1, p. 57-78.
McGerr, Rosemarie. "Comparing Spiritual and Material Goods: Poverty and Prosperity in 'The Pilgrimage of the Soul' and 'Everyman'". Ed. Kosso, Cynthia and Anne Scott. Poverty and Prosperity in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Brepols, 2012, p. 179-195.
McKinnell, John. "How might 'Everyman' have been Performed?". Ed. Moskowich-Spiegel, Isabel and Begoña Crespo-García. Bells Chiming from the Past: Cultural and Linguistic Studies on Early English. Rodopi, 2007, p. 119-138.
Meier, Hans H. "Middle English Styles in Translation: A Note on 'Everyman' and Caxton's 'Reynard'". Ed. Alblas, Jacques B. H., Richard Todd and August J. Fry. From Caxton to Beckett: Essays Presented to W.H. Toppen on the Occasion of His Seventieth Birthday. Rodopi, 1979, p. 13-30.
Mills, David. "The Theaters of 'Everyman'". Ed. Alford, John A. From Page to Performance: Essays in Early English Drama. 1995, p. 127-149.
Moran, Dennis V. "The Life of Everyman". Neophilologus. 1972, 56, p. 324-330.
Munson, William. "Knowing and Doing in 'Everyman'". The Chaucer Review: A Journal of Medieval Studies and Literary Criticism. 1985, 19, 3, p. 252-271.
Paulson, Julie. "Death's Arrival and Everyman's Separation". Theatre Survey: The Journal of the American Society for Theatre Research. 2007, 48, 1, p. 121-141.
Potter, Robert. The English Morality Play: Origins, History, and Influence of a Dramatic Tradition. London: Routledge, 1975.
Ryan, Lawrence V. "Doctrine and Dramatic Structure in 'Everyman'". Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies. 1957, 32, 4, p. 722-735.
Schreiber, Earl G. "'Everyman' in America". Comparative Drama. 1975, 9, p. 99-115.
Spinrad, Phoebe S. "The Last Temptation of 'Everyman'". Philological Quarterly. 1985, 64, 2, p. 185-194.
Steenbrugge, Charlotte. "Books of Accounts in 'Everyman' and Elckerlijc". Medieval English Theatre. 2011, 33, p. 19-44.
Stévanovich, Colette. "La Structure d''Everyman'". Anglophonia: French Journal of English Studies. 2011, 29, p. 129-141.
Stevens, Martin. "The Reshaping of 'Everyman': Hofmannsthal at Salzburg". Germanic Review. 1973, 48, p. 117-131.
Strenger, Elisabeth Maria. "The 'Everyman' Morality Plays of Reformation Germany". Dissertation Abstracts International. 1989.
Strietman, Elsa. "The Middle Dutch Elckerlijc and the English 'Everyman'". Medium Ævum. 1983, 52, 1, p. 111-114.
Tanner, Ron. "Humor in 'Everyman' and the Middle English Morality Play". Philological Quarterly. 1991, 70, 2, p. 149-161.
Van Dyke, Carolynn. "The Intangible and its Image: Allegorical Discourse and the Cast of 'Everyman'". Ed. Carruthers, Mary J. and Elizabeth D. Kirk. Acts of Interpretation: The Text in its Contexts, 700-1600: Essays on Medieval and Renaissance Literature in Honor of E. Talbot Donaldson. Pilgrim, 1982, p. 311-324.
Van Laan, Thomas,F. "'Everyman': A Structural Analysis". PMLA: Publications of the Modern Language Association of America. 1963, 78, 5, p. 465-475.
Vanhoutte, Jacqueline. "When 'Elckerlijc' Becomes 'Everyman': Translating Dutch to English, Performance to Print". Studies in the Humanities. 1995, 22, 1-2, p. 100-116.
Vos, R. "'Elckerlijc' - 'Everyman' - 'Homulus' - 'Der Sunden Loin Ist Der Toid'". Tijdschrift Voor Nederlandse Taal- En Letterkunde. 1966, 82, p. 129-143.
Wood, Francis A. ""¡Elckerlijc'-'Everyman': The Question of Priority". Modern Philology: A Journal Devoted to Research in Medieval and Modern Literature. 1910, 8, 2, p. 279-302.
Wortham, C. J. "'Everyman' and the Reformation". Parergon: Bulletin of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. 1981, 29, p. 23-31.
Worthan, C. J. "‘Everyman’ and the Reformation". Parergon. 1981, 29, p. 23-31.
Yvernault, Martine. "La Guérison Dans 'Everyman'". Anglophonia: French Journal of English Studies. 2011, 29, p. 143-155.

Traducciones

Français

"Everyman. L'homme face á la mort". Tra. Laroque, François. Ed. Cottegnies, Line; François Laroque; Maguin, Jean-Marie. Théâtre élisabéthain. Vol. 1. Paris: Gallimard, 2009.

Italiano

"La chiamata di ogn’omo". Tra. Foligno, Cesare. Ed. Obertello, Alfredo. Teatro inglese: I- dalle origini a Shakespeare. Vol. 1. Parma: Nuova Accademia editrice, 1961, p. 63-89.

Deutsch

Everyman / Jedermann. Tra. Wiemken, Helmut. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1970.

Note on this digital edition

The editor expresses his heartfelt thanks to Eric Rasmussen and to David Bevington for faciliating materials for this critical edition. In memoriam, David Bevington (1931-2019) With the support of research project GVAICO2016-094, funded by Generalitat Valenciana (2016-2017). TEI-edition DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3958901 __________________________________________________

[ The Summoning of Everyman ]

Here beginneth a treatise how the High Father of heaven sendeth Death to summon every creature to come and give account of their lives in this world, and is in manner of a moral play.

[Dramatis Personae

Messenger

God

Death

Everyman

Fellowship

Kindred

Cousin

Goods

Good Deeds

Knowledge

Confession

Beauty

Strength

Discretion

Five Wits

Angel

Doctor ]

([Enter Messenger as prologue.] [Enter Messenger as prologue.] subst.)

Messenger

I pray you all give your audience 1

And hear this matter with reverence, 2

By figure, a moral play: 3

The Summoning of Everyman called it is, 4

That of our lives and ending shows 5

How transitory we be all day. 6

This matter is wondrous wondrous wonders precious, 7

But the intent of it is more gracious 8

And sweet to bear away. 9

The story saith: Man, in the beginning 10

Look well and take good heed to the ending, 11

Be you never so gay! 12

Ye think sin in the beginning full sweet, 13

Which in the end causeth the soul to weep 14

When the body lieth in clay. 15

Here shall you see how fellowship and jollity, 16

Both strength, pleasure, and beauty, 17

Will fade from thee as flower in May; 18

For ye shall hear how our Heaven King 19

Calleth Everyman to a general reckoning. 20

Give audience and hear what he doth say. 21

([Exit.] [Exit.])

([Enter] God [and] speaketh: [Enter] God [and] speaketh: “[ Enter God.]” God speketh God speketh [ from above. ])

[God] [God]

I perceive, here in my majesty, 22

How that all creatures be to me unkind, 23

Living without dread in worldly prosperity. 24

Of ghostly sight the people be so blind, 25

Drowned in sin, they know me not for their God. 26

In worldly riches is all their mind; 27

They fear not my righteousness, the sharp rod rod rood . 28

My law law love , that I showed when I for them died, 29

They forget clean, and shedding of my blood red. 30

I hanged between two two two theues , it cannot be denied; 31

To get them life I suffered to be dead; 32

I healed their feet; with thorns hurt was my head. 33

I could do no more than I did, truly; 34

And now I see the people do clean forsake me. 35

They use the seven deadly sins damnable, 36

As pride, covetise, wrath, and lechery 37

Now in the world be made commendable; 38

And thus they leave of angels the heavenly company. 39

Every man liveth so after his own pleasure, 40

And yet of their life they be nothing sure. 41

I see the more that I them forbear 42

The worse they be from year to year. 43

All that liveth appaireth fast. 44

Therefore I will, in all the haste, 45

Have a reckoning of every man's person. 46

For, an I leave the people thus alone 47

In their life and wicked tempests, 48

Verily they will become much worse than beasts, 49

For now one would by envy another up eat: 50

Charity they do all clean forget. 51

I hoped well that every man 52

In my glory should make his mansion, 53

And thereto I had them all elect. 54

But now I see, like traitors deject, 55

They thank me not for the pleasure that I to them meant, 56

Nor yet for their being that I them have lent. 57

I proffered the people great multitude of mercy, 58

And few there be that asketh it heartily. 59

They be so cumbered with worldly riches 60

That needs on them I must do justice, 61

On every man living without fear. — 62

Where art thou, Death, thou mighty messenger? 63

([Enter] [Enter] Death.)

Death

Almighty God, I am here at your will, 64

Your commandment to fulfill. 65

God

Go thou to Everyman 66

And show him, in my name, 67

A pilgrimage he must on him take, 68

Which he in no wise may escape, 69

And that he bring with him a sure reckoning 70

Without delay or any tarrying. tarrying. tarrying [ God withdraws. ] 71

Death

Lord, I will in the world go run over all 72

And truly outsearch both great and small. 73

([God withdraws.] [God withdraws.] after 'taryenge' line 71)

Every man will I beset that liveth beastly 74

Out of God's laws, and dreadeth not folly. 75

He that loveth richesse I will strike with my dart, 76

His sight to blind, and from heaven to depart 77

(Except that alms be his good friend) 78

In hell for to dwell, world without end. 79

([Enter Everyman at a distance.] [Enter Everyman at a distance.] [ Exit God. ] subst.)

Lo, yonder I see Everyman walking. 80

Full little he thinketh on my coming. 81

His mind is on fleshly lusts and his treasure, 82

And great pain it shall cause him to endure 83

Before the Lord Heaven King. — 84

Everyman, stand still! Whither art thou going 85

Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forget? forget? forget? [Enter] Everyman 86

Everyman

Why askest thou? 87

Wouldst thou wit? 88

Death

Yea, sir, I will show you: 89

In great haste I am sent to thee 90

From God, out of his majesty. 91

Everyman

What, sent to me? 92

Death

Yea, certainly. 93

Though thou have forget Him here, 94

He thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere, 95

As, ere ere “or” throughout we depart, thou shalt know. 96

Everyman

What desireth God of me? 97

Death

That shall I show thee: 98

A reckoning he will needs have 99

Without any longer respite. 100

Everyman

To give a reckoning longer leisure I crave. 101

This blind matter troubleth my wit. 102

Death

On thee thou must take a long journey. 103

Therefore thy book of count with thee thou bring, 104

For turn again thou cannot by no way. 105

And look thou be sure of thy reckoning, 106

For before God thou shalt answer and show 107

Thy many bad deeds, and good but a few, 108

How thou hast spent thy life and in what wise, 109

Before the chief Lord of paradise. 110

Have ado that we were in that way, 111

For, wit thou well, thou shalt make none attorney. 112

Everyman

Full unready I am such reckoning to give. 113

I know thee not. What messenger art thou? 114

Death

I am Death, that no man dreadeth, 115

For every man I 'rest, and no man spareth; 116

For it is God's commandment 117

That all to me should be obedient. 118

Everyman

O Death, thou comest when I had thee least in mind! 119

In thy power it lieth me to save; 120

Yet of my good will I give thee if thou will be kind 121

(Yea, a thousand pound shalt thou have) 122

And defer defer [thou] differe this matter till another day. 123

Death

Everyman, it may not be, by no way. 124

I set not by gold, silver, nor richesse richesse riches , 125

Ne by pope, emperor, king, duke, ne princes; 126

For, an I would receive gifts great, 127

All the world I might get, 128

But my custom is clean contrary. 129

I give thee no respite. Come hence and not tarry. 130

Everyman

Alas! Shall I have no longer respite? 131

I may say Death giveth no warning! 132

To think on thee it maketh my heart sick, 133

For all unready is my book of reckoning. 134

But twelve year and I might have abiding, 135

My counting book I would make so clear 136

That my reckoning I should not need to fear. 137

Wherefore, Death, I pray thee, for God's mercy, 138

Spare me till I be provided of remedy. 139

Death

Thee availeth not to cry, weep, and pray, 140

But haste thee lightly that thou were gone that journey, 141

And prove thy friends if thou can; 142

For, wit thou well, the tide abideth no man, 143

And in the world each living creature 144

For Adam's sin must die of nature. 145

Everyman

Death, if I should this pilgrimage take 146

And my reckoning surely make, 147

Show me, for saint charity, 148

Should I not come again shortly? 149

Death

No, Everyman. An thou be once there, 150

Thou mayst never more come here — 151

Trust me verily. 152

Everyman

O gracious God in the high seat celestial, 153

Have mercy on me in this most need! 154

Shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial 155

Of mine acquaintance acquaintance acqueynce that way me to lead? 156

Death

Yea, if any be so hardy 157

That would go with thee and bear thee company. 158

Hie thee that thou were gone to God's magnificence, 159

Thy reckoning to give before his presence. 160

What, weenest thou thy life is given thee, 161

And thy worldly goods also? 162

Everyman

I had weened so, verily. 163

Death

Nay, nay, it was but lent thee. 164

For, as soon as thou art go, 165

Another a while shall have it, and then go therefro, 166

Even as thou hast done. 167

Everyman, thou art mad mad made . Thou hast thy wits five 168

And here on earth will not amend thy life, 169

For suddenly I do come. 170

Everyman

O wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee, 171

That I might scape this endless sorrow? 172

Now, gentle Death, spare me till tomorrow, 173

That I may amend me 174

With good advisement. 175

Death

Nay, thereto I will not consent, 176

Nor no man will I respite, 177

But to the heart suddenly I shall smite 178

Without any advisement. 179

And now out of thy sight I will me hie. 180

See thou make thee ready shortly, 181

For thou mayst say this is the day 182

That no man living may scape away. 183

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep! 184

Now have I no manner of company 185

To help me in my journey, and me to keep; 186

And also my writing is full unready. 187

How shall I do now for to excuse me? 188

I would to God I had never be get! 189

To my soul a full great profit it had be, 190

For now I fear pains huge and great. 191

The time passeth. Lord, help, that all wrought! 192

For though I mourn, it availeth nought. 193

The day passeth and is almost ago. 194

I wot not well what for to do. 195

To whom were I best my complaint to make? 196

What an I to Fellowship thereof spake 197

And showed him of this sudden chance, 198

For in him is all mine affiance? 199

We have in the world so many a day 200

Be good friends in sport and play. 201

([Enter Fellowship at a distance.] [Enter Fellowship at a distance.])

I see him yonder, certainly. 202

I trust that he will bear me company; 203

Therefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow. — 204

Well met, good Fellowship, and good morrow! 205

(Fellowship speaketh.)

[Fellowship]

Everyman, good morrow, by this day! 206

Sir, why lookest thou so piteously? 207

If anything be amiss, I pray thee me say, 208

That I may help to remedy. 209

Everyman

Yea, good Fellowship, yea, 210

I am in great jeopardy. 211

Fellowship

My true friend, show to me your mind. 212

I will not forsake thee to my life's end 213

In the way of good company. 214

Everyman

That was well spoken, and lovingly. 215

Fellowship

Sir, I must needs know your heaviness; 216

I have pity to see you in any distress. 217

If any have you wronged, ye shall revenged be, 218

Though I on the ground be slain for thee, 219

Though that I know before that I should die. 220

Everyman

Verily, Fellowship, gramercy. 221

Fellowship

Tush, by thy thanks I set not a straw! 222

Show me your grief and say no more. 223

Everyman

If I my heart should to you break, 224

And then you to turn your mind from me 225

And would not me comfort when ye hear me speak, 226

Then should I ten times sorrier be. 227

Fellowship

Sir, I say as I will do, indeed. 228

Everyman

Then be you a good friend at need. 229

I have found you true herebefore. 230

Fellowship

And so ye shall evermore. 231

For, in faith, an thou go to hell, 232

I will not forsake thee by the way. 233

Everyman

Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well. 234

I shall deserve it, an I may. 235

Fellowship

I speak of no deserving, by this day! 236

For he that will say and nothing do 237

Is not worthy with good company to go. 238

Therefore show me the grief of your mind 239

As to your friend most loving and kind. 240

Everyman

I shall show you how it is: 241

Commanded I am to go a journey, 242

A long way, hard, and dangerous, 243

And give a strait count, without delay, 244

Before the high Judge, Adonai. 245

Wherefore, I pray you, bear me company, 246

As ye have promised, in this journey. 247

Fellowship

That is matter indeed! Promise is duty; 248

But, an I should take such a voyage on me, 249

I know it well, it should be to my pain. 250

Also it maketh maketh make me afeard, certain. 251

But let us take counsel here as well as we can, 252

For your words would fear a strong man. 253

Everyman

Why, ye said if I had need 254

Ye would me never forsake, quick ne dead, 255

Though it were to hell, truly. 256

Fellowship

So I said, certainly, 257

But such pleasures be set aside, the sooth to say. 258

And also, if we took such a journey, 259

When should we come again? 260

Everyman

Nay, never again, till the day of doom. 261

Fellowship

In faith, then will not I come there! 262

Who hath you these tidings brought? 263

Everyman

Indeed, Death was with me here. 264

Fellowship

Now, by God that all hath bought, 265

If Death were the messenger, 266

For no man that is living today 267

I will not go that loath loath loathsome journey — 268

Not for the father that begat me! 269

Everyman

Ye promised otherwise, pardie. 270

Fellowship

I wot well I said said say so, truly. 271

And yet, if thou wilt eat and drink and make good cheer, 272

Or haunt to women the lusty company, 273

I would not forsake you while the day is clear. 274

Trust me, verily. 275

Everyman

Yea, thereto ye would be ready! 276

To go to mirth, solace, and play 277

Your mind mind mind to folly will sooner apply, 278

Than to bear me company in my long journey. 279

Fellowship

Now Now Nay , in good faith, I will not that way. 280

But, an thou will murder or any man kill, 281

In that I will help thee with a good will. 282

Everyman

Oh, that is a simple advice, indeed! 283

Gentle fellow fellow “felaw” Felaw[ship]e , help me in my necessity. 284

We have loved long, and now I need; 285

And now, gentle Fellowship, remember me! 286

Fellowship

Whether ye have loved me or no, 287

By Saint Johan, I will not with thee go. 288

Everyman

Yet, I pray thee, take the labor and do so much for me 289

To bring me forward, for saint charity, 290

And comfort me till I come without the town. 291

Fellowship

Nay, an thou would give me a new gown, 292

I will not a foot with thee go. 293

But, an thou had tarried, I would not have left thee so. 294

And, as now, God speed thee in thy journey, 295

For from thee I will depart as fast as I may. 296

Everyman

Whither away, Fellowship? Will thou forsake me? 297

Fellowship

Yea, by my fay! To God I betake thee. 298

Everyman

Farewell, good Fellowship! For thee my heart is sore. 299

Adieu forever! I shall see thee no more. Adieu ... more assigned to Fellowship 300

Fellowship

In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the ending ending “end[ing]e” end . 301

For you I will remember that parting is mourning. 302

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

Alack! Shall we thus thus this depart indeed 303

— Ah, Lady, help! — without any more comfort? 304

Lo, Fellowship forsaketh me in my most need. 305

For help in this world whither shall I resort? 306

Fellowship herebefore with me would merry make, 307

And now little sorrow for me doth he take. 308

It is said, "In prosperity men friends may find, 309

Which in adversity be full unkind". 310

Now whither for succor shall I flee, 311

Sith that Fellowship hath forsaken me? 312

To my kinsmen I will, truly, 313

Praying them to help me in my necessity. 314

I believe that they will do so, 315

For "kind will creep where it may not go". 316

I will go say, for yonder I see them them them go .— 317

Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen? 318

([Enter Kindred and Cousin.] [Enter Kindred and Cousin.])

Kindred

Here be we now at your commandment. 319

Cousin, I pray you show us your intent 320

In any wise, and not spare. 321

Cousin

Yea, Everyman, and to us declare 322

If ye be disposed to go any whither; 323

For, wit you well, we will we will will live and die together. 324

Kindred

In wealth and woe we will with you hold hold bolde , 325

For over his kin a man may be bold bold holde . 326

Everyman

Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind. 327

Now shall I show you the grief of my mind: 328

I was commanded by a messenger 329

That is a high king's chief officer; 330

He bade me go a pilgrimage, to my pain, 331

And I know well I shall never come again. 332

Also I must give a reckoning straight, 333

For I have a great enemy that hath me in wait, 334

Which intendeth me for to hinder. 335

Kindred

What account is that which ye must render? 336

That would I know. 337

Everyman

Of all my works I must show 338

How I have lived, and my days spent; 339

Also of ill deeds that I have used 340

In my time, sith life was me lent, 341

And of all virtues that I have refused. 342

Therefore, I pray you, go thither with me 343

To help to make mine account, for saint charity. 344

Cousin

What, to go thither? Is that the matter? 345

Nay, Everyman, I had liefer fast bread and water 346

All this five year and more. 347

Everyman

Alas, that ever I was bore! 348

For now shall I never be merry 349

If that you forsake me. 350

Kindred

Ah, sir! What, ye be a merry man! 351

Take good heart to you and make no moan. 352

But one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne: 353

As for me, ye shall go alone. 354

Everyman

My Cousin, will you not with me go? 355

Cousin

No, by Our Lady, I have the cramp in my toe. 356

Trust not to me, for, so God me speed, 357

I will deceive you in your most need. 358

Kindred

It availeth not us to tice. 359

Ye shall have my maid with all my heart; 360

She loveth to go to feasts, there to be nice, 361

And to dance, and abroad to start. 362

I will give her leave to help you in that journey 363

If that you and she may agree. 364

Everyman

Now, show me the very affect of your mind: 365

Will you go with me or abide behind? 366

Kindred

Abide behind? Yea, that will I, an I may! 367

Therefore farewell till another day. 368

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

How should I be merry or glad? 369

For fair promises men to me make, 370

But when I have most need they me forsake. 371

I am deceived; that maketh me sad. 372

Cousin

Cousin Everyman, farewell now, 373

For verily I will not go with you. 374

Also of mine own life life om. an unready reckoning 375

I have to account; therefore I make tarrying. 376

Now God keep thee, for now I go. 377

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

Ah, Jesus, is all come hereto? 378

Lo, fair words maketh fools fain; 379

They promise and nothing will do, certain. 380

My kinsmen promised me faithfully 381

For to abide with me steadfastly, 382

And now fast away do they flee; 383

Even so Fellowship promised me. 384

What friend were best me of to provide? 385

I lose my time here longer to abide. 386

Yet in my mind a thing there is: 387

All my life I have loved riches; 388

If that my Good now help me might, 389

He would make my heart full light. 390

I will speak to him in this distress. — 391

Where art thou, my Goods and riches? 392

([Goods speaks from a corner [Goods speaks from a corner.] within .])

Goods

Who calleth me? Everyman? What, hast thou haste? 393

I lie here in corners, trussed and piled so high, 394

And in chests I am locked so fast, 395

Also sacked in bags. Thou mayst see with thine eye 396

I cannot stir; in packs low I lie. 397

What would ye have? Lightly me say. 398

Everyman

Come hither, Good, in all the haste thou may, 399

For of counsel I must desire thee. 400

([Goods approaches.] [Goods approaches.])

Goods

Sir, an ye i'the world have sorrow or adversity, 401

That can I help you to remedy shortly. 402

Everyman

It is another disease that grieveth me; 403

In this world it is not, I tell thee so. 404

I am sent for another way to go, 405

To give a strait count general 406

Before the highest Jupiter of all; 407

And all my life I have had joy and pleasure in thee; 408

Therefore, I pray thee, go with me. 409

For, peradventure, thou mayst before God almighty 410

My reckoning help to clean and purify; 411

For it is said ever among 412

That "money maketh all right that is wrong". 413

Goods

Nay, Everyman, I sing another song. 414

I follow no man in such voyages. 415

For, an I went with thee, 416

Thou shouldest shouldest sholdes fare much the worse for me. 417

For, because on me thou did did didst set thy mind, 418

Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind, 419

That thine account thou cannot make truly — 420

And that hast thou for the love of me! 421

Everyman

That would grieve me full sore 422

When I should come to that fearful answer. 423

Up, let us go thither together. 424

Goods

Nay, not so. I am too brittle; I may not endure. 425

I will follow no man no man man one foot, be ye sure. 426

Everyman

Alas, I have thee loved, and had great pleasure 427

All my life days on good and treasure! 428

Goods

That is to thy damnation, without leasing, 429

For my love is contrary to the love everlasting. 430

But, if thou had me loved moderately during, 431

As to the poor give part of me, 432

Then shouldest thou not in this dolor be, 433

Nor in this great sorrow and care. 434

Everyman

Lo, now was I deceived ere I was ware, 435

And all I may wite misspending misspending “myspendynge” my spendynge of time! 436

Goods

What, weenest thou that I am thine? 437

Everyman

I had weened so. 438

Goods

Nay, Everyman, I say no, 439

As for a while I was lent thee: 440

A season thou hast had me in prosperity. 441

My condition is man's soul to kill; 442

If I save one, a thousand I do spill. 443

Weenest thou that I will follow thee? 444

Nay, from this world not, verily. 445

Everyman

I had weened otherwise. 446

Goods

Therefore to thy soul Good is a thief, 447

For when thou art dead, this is my guise: 448

Another to deceive in this same wise 449

As I have done thee, and all to his soul's reproof. 450

Everyman

O false Good, cursed thou be, 451

Thou traitor to God, that hast deceived me 452

And caught caught caugh me in thy snare! 453

Goods

Marry, thou brought thyself in care, 454

Whereof I am glad. 455

I must needs laugh, I cannot be sad. 456

Everyman

Ah, Good, thou hast had long my heartly love! 457

I gave thee that which should be the Lord's above. 458

But wilt thou not go with me indeed? 459

I pray thee truth to say. 460

Goods

No, so God me speed! 461

Therefore farewell, and have good day. 462

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

Oh, to whom shall I make my moan 463

For to go with me in that heavy journey? 464

First Fellowship said he would with me gone gone archaic form of the infinitive (OED go v.) go 465

(His words were very pleasant and gay), 466

But afterward he left me alone. 467

Then spake I to my kinsmen, all in despair, 468

And And An also they gave me words fair. 469

They lacked no fair speaking, 470

But all forsook forsook “forsoke” forsake me in the ending. 471

Then went I to my Goods, that I loved best, 472

In hope to have comfort, but there had I least, 473

For my Goods sharply did me tell 474

That he bringeth many into hell. 475

Then of myself I was ashamed, 476

And so I am worthy to be blamed. 477

Thus may I well myself hate. 478

Of whom shall I now counsel take? 479

I think that I shall never speed 480

Till that I go to my Good Deed. 481

But, alas, she is so weak 482

That she can neither go nor speak. 483

Yet will I venture on her now. — 484

My Good Deeds, where be you? 485

([Good Deeds speaks from the ground.] [Good Deeds speaks from the ground.] subst.)

Good Deeds

Here I lie, cold in the ground. 486

Thy sins hath me sore bound, 487

That I cannot stir. 488

Everyman

Oh, Good Deeds, I stand in fear! 489

I must you pray of counsel, 490

For help now should come right well. 491

Good Deeds

Everyman, I have understanding 492

That ye be summoned a count a count “a counte” account “a[c]count” to make 493

Before Messiahs, of Jerusalem King. 494

An you do by me, that journey with you will I take. 495

Everyman

Therefore I come to you my moan to make. 496

I pray you that ye will go with me. 497

Good Deeds

I would full fain, but I cannot stand, verily. 498

Everyman

Why, is there anything on you fall? 499

Good Deeds

Yea, sir, I may thank you of all! 500

If ye had perfectly cheered me, 501

Your Book of Count full ready had be. 502

([Good Deeds shows Everyman his Book of Account.] [Good Deeds shows Everyman his Book of Account.] subst.)

Look, the books of your works and deeds eke! 503

Ah, see Ah, see Ase Beholde As how they lie under the feet 504

To your soul's heaviness! 505

Everyman

Our Lord Jesus help me! 506

For one letter here I cannot see. 507

Good Deeds

There is a blind reckoning in time of distress! 508

Everyman

Good Deeds, I pray you help me in this need, 509

Or else I am forever damned indeed. 510

Therefore help me to make my my om. reckoning 511

Before the Redeemer of all thing, 512

That king is, and was, and ever shall. 513

Good Deeds

Everyman, I am sorry of your fall, 514

And fain would I help you, an I were able. 515

Everyman

Good Deeds, your counsel I pray you give me. 516

Good Deeds

That shall I do, verily. 517

Though that on my feet I may not go, 518

I have a sister that shall with you also, 519

Called Knowledge, which shall with you abide 520

To help you to make that dreadful reckoning. 521

([Enter Knowledge.] [Enter Knowledge.])

Knowledge

Everyman, I will go with thee and be thy guide, 522

In thy most need to go by thy side. 523

Everyman

In good condition I am now in everything, 524

And am whole content with this good thing, 525

Thanked be be by God my creator creator "creature" ! 526

Good Deeds

And when she she he hath brought you there 527

Where thou shalt heal thee of thy smart, 528

Then go you with your reckoning and your Good Deeds together 529

For to make you joyful at heart 530

Before the blessed Trinity. 531

Everyman

My Good Deeds, gramercy! 532

I am well content, certainly, 533

With your words sweet. 534

Knowledge

Now go we together lovingly 535

To Confession, that cleansing river. 536

Everyman

For joy I weep! I would we were there! 537

But, I pray you, give me cognition 538

Where dwelleth that holy man, Confession? 539

Knowledge

In the house of salvation. 540

We shall find him in that place 541

That shall us comfort, by God's grace. 542

([Confession enters, and Knowledge leads Everyman to him.] [Confession enters, and Knowledge leads Everyman to him] subst. [Knowledge leads Everyman to Confession])

Lo, this is Confession. Kneel down and ask mercy, 543

For he is in good conceit with God almighty. 544

Everyman

[Kneeling] [Kneeling] O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify, 545

Wash from me the spots of vices unclean, 546

That on me no sin may be seen! 547

I come with Knowledge for my redemption, 548

Redeemed with heart and full contrition; 549

For I am commanded a pilgrimage to take 550

And great accounts before God to make. 551

Now I pray you, Shrift, mother of salvation, 552

Help my Good Deeds for my piteous exclamation. 553

Confession

I know your sorrow well, Everyman. 554

Because with Knowledge ye come to me, 555

I will you comfort as well as I can, 556

And a precious jewel I will give thee 557

Called penance, voider voider voyce voyder of adversity. 558

Therewith shall your body chastised be 559

With abstinence and perseverance in God's service. 560

Here shall you receive that scourge of me, 561

([Confession shows Everyman a knotted scourge.] [Confession shows Everyman a knotted scourge] subst. [Gives Everyman a scourge])

Which is penance strong that ye must endure, 562

To remember thy Savior was scourged for thee 563

With sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently. 564

So must thou, ere thou 'scape that painful pilgrimage. — 565

Knowledge, keep him in this voyage, 566

([Confession gives the knotted scourge to Knowledge.] [Confession gives the knotted scourge to Knowledge.] subst.)

And by that time Good Deeds will be with thee. 567

[to Everyman] [to Everyman] But, in any wise, be seeker of mercy, 568

For your time draweth fast. An ye will saved be, 569

Ask God mercy and He will grant truly. 570

When with the scourge of penance man doth him bind, 571

The oil of forgiveness then shall he find. find. find. [ Exit. ] 572

Everyman

Thanked be God for His gracious work! 573

For now I will my penance begin. 574

This hath rejoiced and lighted my heart, 575

Though the knots be painful and hard within. 576

Knowledge

Everyman, look your penance that ye fulfill, 577

What pain that ever it to you be, 578

And Knowledge shall give you counsel at will 579

How your account ye shall make clearly. 580

([Everyman makes his confession.] [Everyman makes his confession] [Everyman kneels in prayer])

Everyman

O eternal God, O heavenly figure, 581

O way of righteousness, O goodly vision, 582

Which descended down in a virgin pure 583

Because he would every man redeem, 584

Which Adam forfeited by his disobedience! 585

O blessed Godhead Godhead “godhede” god heed godheed elect and high divine, 586

Forgive me me om. my grievous offense! 587

Here I cry thee mercy in this presence. 588

O ghostly treasure, O ransomer and redeemer, 589

Of all the world hope and conductor conductor conduyter conduiter , 590

Mirror of joy, foundator of mercy, 591

Which enlumineth heaven and earth thereby, 592

Hear my clamorous complaint, though it late be; 593

Receive my prayers unworthy in this heavy life unworthy ... life of thy benygnytye ! 594

Though I be a sinner most abominable, 595

Yet let my name be written be written bewryten in Moses' table. 596

O Mary, pray to the Maker of all thing 597

Me for to help at my ending, 598

And save me from the power of my enemy, 599

For Death assaileth me strongly. 600

And, Lady, that I may by mean of thy prayer 601

Of your son's glory to be partner, 602

By the means of His passion, I it crave. 603

I beseech you help me help me helpe my soul to save. — 604

([He rises.] [He rises])

Knowledge, give me the scourge of penance. 605

([He takes the knotted scourge.] [He takes the knotted scourge.] subst.)

My flesh therewith shall give a quittance a quittance “a quytaunce” aquaintaunce acqueyntaunce aquittance “aquytaunce” . 606

I will now begin, if God give me grace. 607

Knowledge

Everyman, God give you time and space. 608

Thus I bequeath you in the hands of our Savior. 609

Now may you make your reckoning sure. 610

Everyman

In the name of the Holy Trinity, 611

My body sore punished shall be. 612

Take this, body, for the sin of the flesh! 613

([He scourges himself.] [He scourges himself.] subst.)

Also thou delightest to go gay and fresh, 614

And in the way of damnation thou did me bring; 615

Therefore suffer now strokes of punishing. 616

Now of penance I will wade the water clear, 617

To save me from purgatory, that sharp fire. 618

([Good Deeds rises from the ground.] [Good Deeds rises from the ground.] subst.)

Good Deeds

I thank God, now I can walk and go, 619

And am delivered of my sickness and woe. 620

Therefore with Everyman I will go and not spare; 621

His good works I will help him to declare. 622

Knowledge

Now, Everyman, be merry and glad. 623

Your Good Deeds cometh now; ye may not be sad. 624

Now is your Good Deeds whole and sound, 625

Going upright upon the ground. 626

Everyman

My heart is light and shall be evermore. 627

Now will I smite faster than I did before. 628

Good Deeds

Everyman, pilgrim, my special friend, 629

Blessed be thou without end! 630

For thee is preparate the eternal glory. 631

Ye have me made whole and sound; 632

Therefore I will bide by thee in every stound. 633

Everyman

Welcome, my Good Deeds! Now I hear thy voice, 634

I weep for very sweetness of love. 635

Knowledge

Be no more sad, but ever rejoice. 636

God seeth thy living in his throne above. 637

Put on this garment to thy behoof, 638

Which is wet with your tears, 639

Or else before God you may it miss 640

When ye to your journey's end come shall. 641

Everyman

Gentle Knowledge, what do ye it call? 642

Knowledge

It is a garment of sorrow. 643

([He offers a garment.] [He offers a garment.])

From pain it will you borrow. 644

Contrition it is, 645

That getteth forgiveness. 646

It It He pleaseth God passing well. 647

Good Deeds

Everyman, will you wear it for your heal? 648

([Everyman puts on the robe of contrition.] [Every man puts on the garment of contrition.] subst. [Takes the garment.] after “Mary's son” l. 649)

Everyman

Now blessed be Jesu, Mary's son, 649

For now have I on true contrition. 650

And let us go now without tarrying. 651

Good Deeds, have we clear our reckoning? 652

Good Deeds

Yea, indeed, I have it have it haue them haue here. 653

([He points to the account book.] [He points to the account book.])

Everyman

Then I trust we need not fear. 654

Now, friends, let us not part in twain. 655

Knowledge Knowledge Kynrede

Nay, Everyman, that will we not, certain. 656

Good Deeds

Yet must thou lead with thee 657

Three persons of great might. 658

Everyman

Who should they be? 659

Good Deeds

Discretion and Strength they hight, 660

And thy Beauty may not abide behind. 661

Knowledge

Also, ye must call to mind 662

Your Five Wits as for your counselors. 663

Good Deeds

You must have them ready at all hours. 664

Everyman

How shall I get them hither? 665

Knowledge Knowledge Kynrede

You must call them all together, 666

And they will hear you incontinent. 667

Everyman

My friends, come hither and be present, 668

Discretion, Strength, my Five Wits, and Beauty! 669

([Enter Discretion, Strength, Five Wits, and Beauty.] [Enter Discretion, Strength, Five Wits, and Beauty.])

Beauty

Here at your will we be all ready. 670

What would would wyll ye that we should do? 671

Good Deeds

That ye would with Everyman go 672

And help him in his pilgrimage. 673

Advise you, will ye with him or not in that voyage? 674

Strength

We will bring him all thither 675

To his help and comfort, ye may believe me. 676

Discretion

So will we go with him all together. 677

Everyman

Almighty God, loved might thou be! 678

I give thee laud that I have hither brought 679

Strength, Discretion, Beauty, and Five Wits (lack I nought) 680

And my Good Deeds, with Knowledge clear; 681

All be in my company at my will here. 682

I desire no more to my business. 683

Strength

And I, Strength, will by you stand in distress, 684

Though thou would in battle fight on the ground. 685

Five Wits

And though it were through the world round, 686

We will not depart, for sweet ne sour. 687

Beauty

No more will I unto Death's hour, 688

Whatsoever thereof befall. 689

Discretion

Everyman, advise you first of all; 690

Go with a good advisement and deliberation. 691

We all give you virtuous monition 692

That all shall be well. 693

Everyman

My friends, harken what I will tell. 694

I pray God reward you in his heavenly heavenly heuen sphere. 695

Now hearken all that be here, 696

For I will make my testament 697

Here before you all present. 698

In alms, half my good I will give with my hands twain 699

In the way of charity with good intent, 700

And the other half still shall remain 701

In queath In queath “In queth” I it be quethe In quyet , to be returned there it ought to be. 702

This I do in despite of the fiend of hell, 703

To go quite out of his peril 704

Ever after and this day. 705

Knowledge

Everyman, harken what I say: 706

Go to Priesthood, I you advise, 707

And receive of him in any wise 708

The holy sacrament and ointment together. 709

Then shortly see ye turn again hither. 710

We will all abide you here. 711

Five Wits

Yea, Everyman, hie you that ye ready were. 712

There is no emperor, king, duke, ne baron, 713

That of God hath commission 714

As hath the least priest in the world being. 715

For of the blessed sacraments pure and benign 716

He beareth the keys and thereof hath the cure 717

For man's redemption (it is ever sure) 718

Which God, for our soul's medicine, 719

Gave us out of his heart with great pain. 720

Here in this transitory life, for thee and me, 721

The blessed sacraments seven there be: 722

Baptism, confirmation, with priesthood good, 723

And the sacrament of God's precious flesh and blood, 724

Marriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance. 725

These seven be good to have in remembrance, 726

Gracious sacraments of high divinity. 727

Everyman

Fain would I receive that holy body, 728

And meekly to my ghostly father I will go. 729

Five Wits

Everyman, that is the best that ye can do. 730

God will you to salvation bring, 731

For priesthood exceedeth all other thing. 732

To us Holy Scripture they do teach, 733

And converteth man from sin, heaven to reach. 734

God hath to them more power given 735

Than to any angel that is in heaven. 736

With five words he may consecrate, 737

God's body in flesh and blood to make make take , 738

And handleth his Maker between his hands hands hande . 739

The priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands, 740

Both in earth and in heaven. 741

Thou ministers ministers ministers of all the sacraments seven, 742

Though we kissed kissed “kyst” kysse thy feet, thou were worthy; 743

Thou art the the om. surgeon that cureth sin deadly. 744

No remedy we we may we find under God, 745

But all only priesthood. 746

Everyman, God gave priests priests “preest[s]” preest that dignity, 747

And setteth them in his stead among us to be. 748

Thus be they above angels in degree. 749

([Everyman goes to receive the sacrament and extreme unction from the priest, while the others await his return.] [Everyman … return.] subst.)

Knowledge

If priests be good, it is so, surely. 750

But when Jesu hanged on the cross with great smart, 751

There he gave out of his blessed heart 752

The same sacrament same sacrament seven sacraments in great torment. 753

He sold them not to us, that Lord omnipotent. 754

Therefore Saint Peter the Apostle doth say 755

That Jesu's curse hath all they 756

Which God their savior do buy or sell, 757

Or they for any money do take or tell. 758

Sinful priests giveth the sinners example bad: 759

Their children sitteth by other men's fires, I have heard, 760

And some haunteth women's company 761

With unclean life, as lusts of lechery. 762

These be with sin made blind. 763

Five Wits

I trust to God no such may we find. 764

Therefore let us priesthood honor 765

And follow their doctrine for our soul's succor. 766

We be their sheep, and they shepherds be, 767

By whom we all be kept in surety. 768

Peace, for yonder I see Everyman come, 769

Which hath made true satisfaction. 770

Good Deeds

Methink it is he indeed. 771

([Everyman returns carrying a cross.] [Everyman returns carrying a cross.] subst. Re-enter Everyman)

Everyman

Now Jesu be your your our alder speed! 772

I have received the sacrament for my redemption 773

And then mine extreme unction. 774

Blessed be all they that counseled me to take it! 775

And now, friends, let us go without longer respite. 776

I thank God that ye have tarried so long. 777

Now set each of you on this rood your hand 778

And shortly follow me. 779

I go before there I would be. God be our our your guide. 780

Strength

Everyman, we will not from you go 781

Till ye have done this voyage long. 782

Discretion

I, Discretion, will bide by you also. 783

Knowledge

And though this pilgrimage be never so strong, 784

I will never part you fro. 785

Everyman Everyman adds speech prefix “Strength” , I will be as sure by thee 786

As ever I did did was by Judas Maccabee. 787

([They proceed to Everyman's grave.] [They … grave.])

Everyman

Alas, I am so faint I may not stand. 788

My limbs under me do do doth fold. 789

Friends, let us not turn again to this land, 790

Not for all the world's gold; 791

For into this cave must I creep 792

And turn to earth, and there to sleep. 793

Beauty

What, into this grave? Alas! 794

Everyman

Yea, there shall ye ye we you consume, more and less. 795

Beauty

And what, should I smother here? 796

Everyman

Yea, by my faith, and never more appear. 797

In this world live no more we shall, 798

But in heaven before the highest Lord of all. 799

Beauty

I cross out all this. Adieu! By Saint Johan, 800

I take my tap in my lap and am gone! 801

Everyman

What, Beauty? Whither will ye? 802

Beauty

Peace, I am deaf! I look not behind me, 803

Not an thou wouldst give me all the gold in thy chest. 804

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

Alas, whereto may I trust? 805

Beauty goeth fast away from me. 806

She promised with me to live and die. 807

Strength

Everyman, I will thee also forsake and deny. 808

Thy game liketh me not at all. 809

Everyman

Why, then, ye will forsake me all? 810

Sweet Strength, tarry a little space. 811

Strength

Nay, sir, by the rood of grace, 812

I will hie me from thee fast, 813

Though thou weep till till to thy heart to brast to brast "brast"= burst (an English northern variant, OED v. ) to-burst . 814

Everyman

Ye would ever bide by me, ye said. 815

Strength

Yea, I have you far enough conveyed. 816

Ye be old enough, I understand, 817

Your pilgrimage to take on hand. 818

I repent me that I hither came. 819

Everyman

Strength, you to displease I am to displease I am too displease. I am to blam to displease I am too displease. I am e. 820

Yet promise is debt: this ye well wot Yet ... wot Wyll ye breke promyse that is dette wyll you breke promyse that is dette . 821

Strength

In faith, I care not. 822

Thou art but a fool to complain. 823

You spend your speech and waste waste “wast” wastest your brain. 824

Go thrust thee into the ground. 825

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

I had weened surer I should you have found. 826

He that trusteth in his Strength 827

She him deceiveth at the length. 828

Both Strength and Beauty forsaketh me, 829

Yet they promised me fair and lovingly. 830

Discretion

Everyman, I will after Strength be gone. 831

As for me, I will leave you alone. 832

Everyman

Why, Discretion, will ye forsake me? 833

Discretion

Yea, in faith, I will go from thee. 834

For when Strength goeth before, 835

I follow after evermore. 836

Everyman

Yet, I pray thee, for the love of the Trinity, 837

Look in my grave once piteously! 838

Discretion

Nay, so nigh will I not come. 839

Farewell everyone! 840

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

Oh, all thing faileth (save God alone), 841

Beauty, Strength, and Discretion; 842

For when Death bloweth his blast, 843

They all run from me full fast. 844

Five Wits

Everyman, my leave now of thee I take; 845

I will follow the other, for here I thee forsake. 846

Everyman

Alas, then may I wail and weep, 847

For I took you for my best friend. 848

Five Wits

I will no longer thee keep. 849

Now farewell and there an end. 850

([Exit.] [Exit.])

Everyman

O Jesu, help! All hath forsaken me! 851

Good Deeds

Nay, Everyman, I will bide with thee. 852

I will not forsake thee indeed. 853

Thou shalt find me a good friend at need. 854

Everyman

Gramercy, Good Deeds. Now may I true friends see. 855

They have forsaken me every one. 856

I loved them better than my Good Deeds alone. 857

Knowledge, will ye forsake me also? 858

Knowledge

Yea, Everyman, when ye to death shall go, 859

But not yet, for no manner of danger. 860

Everyman

Gramercy, Knowledge, with all my heart. 861

Knowledge

Nay, yet I will not from hence depart 862

Till I see where ye shall be come. 863

Everyman

Methink, alas, that I must be gone 864

To make my reckoning and my debts pay, 865

For I see my time is nigh spent away. 866

Take example, all ye that this do hear or see, 867

How they that I loved loved loue best do forsake me, 868

Except my Good Deeds, that bideth truly. 869

Good Deeds

All earthly things is but vanity: 870

Beauty, Strength, and Discretion do man forsake, 871

Foolish friends and kinsmen that fair spake. 872

All fleeth save Good Deeds, and that am I. 873

Everyman

Have mercy on me, God most mighty, 874

And stand by me, thou mother and maid, Holy Mary! 875

Good Deeds

Fear not, I will speak for thee. 876

Everyman

Here I cry God mercy! 877

Good Deeds

Short our end and minish our pain. 878

Let us go and never come again. 879

Everyman

Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend. 880

Receive it, Lord, that it be not lost. 881

As thou me boughtest, so me defend, 882

And save me from the fiend's boast, 883

That I may appear with that blessed host 884

That shall be saved at the day of doom. 885

In manus tuas , of mights most, 886

Forever commendo spiritum meum . 887

([Everyman and Good Deeds descend into the grave.] [Everyman ... grave.])

Knowledge

Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure. 888

The Good Deeds shall make all sure. 889

Now hath he made ending. 890

Methinketh that I hear angels sing 891

And make great joy and melody 892

Where Everyman's soul received shall be. 893

([Enter Angel above, or within.] [Enter Angel above, or within.] “ Enter Angel ” “ above, or within ” after speech prefix “ within ”)

Angel

Come, excellent elect spouse, to Jesu! 894

Here above thou shalt go 895

Because of thy singular virtue. 896

Now the soul is taken the body fro, 897

Thy reckoning is crystal clear. 898

Now shalt thou into the heavenly sphere sphere “spere” , 899

Unto the which all ye shall come 900

That liveth well before before after the day of doom. 901

([Exeunt Angel and Knowledge.] [Exeunt Angel and Knowledge.] subst.)

([Enter Doctor as epilogue.] [Enter … epilogue.])

Doctor

This moral moral memoriall men may have in mind. 902

Ye hearers, take it of worth, old and young, 903

And forsake Pride, for he deceiveth you in the end, 904

And remember Beauty, Five Wits, Strength, and Discretion: 905

They all at the last do every man every man Everyman forsake, 906

Save his Good Deeds there doth he take. 907

But beware, for, an for, an “for and” and they be small, 908

Before God he hath no help at all. 909

None excuse may be there for every man every man Everyman . 910

Alas, how shall he do then? 911

For, after death, amends may no man make, 912

For then mercy and pity doth him forsake. 913

If his reckoning be not clear when he do come, 914

God will say, "Ite maledicti in ignem eternum!" . 915

And he that hath his account whole and sound, 916

High in heaven he shall be crowned; 917

Unto which place God bring us all thither, 918

That we may live body and soul together. 919

Thereto help the Trinity! 920

Amen, say ye, for saint Charity. 921

([Exit.] [Exit.])

FINIS