Everyman, 15th Century

Everyman is late-15th-century English morality play. Called by Death, Everyman can persuade none of his friends - Beauty, Kindred, orldly !oods - to go "ith him, e#cept !ood Deeds. Characters Everyman-------------------------$trength !od% &donai----------------------Discretion Death-----------------------------'ive- its (essenger------------------------Beauty 'ello"ship------------------------Kno"ledge Cousin----------------------------Confession Kindred---------------------------&ngel !oods-----------------------------Doctor !ood-Deeds

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Messenger: I pray you all give your audience, And here this matter with reverence, By figure a moral playThe Summoning of Everyman called it is, That of our lives and ending shows ow transitory we !e all day" This matter is wonderous precious, But the intent of it is more gracious, And sweet to !ear away" The story saith,-Man, in the !eginning, #oo$ well, and ta$e good heed to the ending, Be you never so gay% &e thin$ sin in the !eginning full sweet, 'hich in the end causeth thy soul to weep,

'hen the !ody lieth in clay" ere shall you see how (ellowship and )ollity, Both Strength, *leasure, and Beauty, 'ill fade from thee as flower in May" (or ye shall here, how our heavenly $ing +alleth Everyman to a general rec$oning: ,ive audience, and here what he doth say" ,od: I perceive here in my ma-esty,

ow that all the creatures !e to me un$ind, #iving without dread in worldly prosperity: .f ghostly sight the people !e so !lind, /rowned in sin, they $now me not for their ,od0 In worldly riches is all their mind, They fear not my rightwiseness, the sharp rod0 My law that I shewed, when I for them died, They forget clean, and shedding of my !lood red0 I hanged !etween two, it cannot !e denied0 To get them life I suffered to !e dead0 I healed their feet0 with thorns hurt was my head: I could do no more than I did truly, And now I see the people do clean forsa$e me" They use the seven deadly sins damna!le0 As pride, covetise, wrath, and lechery, 1ow in the world !e made commenda!le0 And thus they leave of angels the heavenly company0 Everyman liveth so after his own pleasure, And yet of their life they !e nothing sure: I see the more that I them for!ear The worse they !e from year to year0

All that liveth appaireth2 fast, 2is impaired Therefore I will in all the haste ave a rec$oning of Everyman3s person (or and I leave the people thus alone In their life and wic$ed tempests, 4erily they will !ecome much worse than !easts0 (or now one would !y envy another up eat0 +harity they all do clean forget" I hope well that Everyman In my glory should ma$e his mansion, And thereto I had them all elect0 But now I see, li$e traitors de-ect, They than$ me not for the pleasure that I to them meant, 1or yet for their !eing that I them have lent0 I proffered the people great multitude of mercy, And few there !e that as$eth it heartily0 They !e so cum!ered with worldly riches, That needs on them I must do -ustice, .n Everyman living without fear" 'here art thou, /eath, thou mighty messenger5 /eath: Almighty ,od, I am here at your will,

&our commandment to fulfil" ,od: ,o thou to Everyman,

And show him in my name A pilgrimage he must on him ta$e, 'hich he in no wise may escape0 And that he !ring with him a sure rec$oning 'ithout delay or any tarrying" /eath: #ord, I will in the world go run over all,

And cruelly outsearch !oth great and small0 Every man will I !eset that liveth !eastly .ut of ,od3s laws, and dreadeth not folly0 e that loveth riches I will stri$e with my dart, is sight to !lind, and from heaven to depart, E6cept that alms !e his good friend, In hell for to dwell, world without end" #o, yonder I see Everyman wal$ing0 (ull little he thin$eth on my coming0 is mind is on fleshly lust and his treasure, And great pain it shall cause him to endure Before the #ord eaven 7ing" Everyman, stand still0 whither art thou going Thus gaily5 ast thou thy Ma$er forget5

Everyman: 'hy as$st thou5 'ouldest thou wete25 2$now /eath: &ea, sir, I will show you0

In great haste I am sent to thee (rom ,od out of his great ma-esty" Everyman: 'hat, sent to me5 /eath: &ea, certainly"

Though thou have forget him here, e thin$eth on thee in the heavenly sphere, As, or we depart, thou shalt $now" Everyman: 'hat desireth ,od of me5 /eath: That shall I show thee0

A rec$oning he will needs have 'ithout any longer respite" Everyman: To give a rec$oning longer leisure I crave0

This !lind matter trou!leth my wit" /eath: .n thee thou must ta$e a long -ourney:

Therefore thy !oo$ of count with thee thou !ring0 (or turn again thou can not !y no way, And loo$ thou !e sure of thy rec$oning: (or !efore ,od thou shalt answer, and show Thy many !ad deeds and good !ut few0 ow thou hast spent thy life, and in what wise, Before the chief lord of paradise" ave ado that we were in that way, (or, wete thou well, thou shalt ma$e none attournay2" 2mediator Everyman: (ull unready I am such rec$oning to give I $now thee not: what messenger art thou5 /eath: I am /eath, that no man dreadeth"

(or every man I rest and no man spareth0 (or it is ,od3s commandment That all to me should !e o!edient" Everyman: . /eath, thou comest when I had thee least in mind0 In thy power it lieth me to save, &et of my good will I give thee, if ye will !e $ind, &ea, a thousand pound shalt thou have, And defer this matter till another day" /eath: Everyman, it may not !e !y no way0

I set not !y gold, silver nor, riches, 1e !y pope, emperor, $ing, du$e, ne princes" (or and I would receive gifts great, All the world I might get0 But my custom is clean contrary" I give thee no respite: come hence, and not tarry"

Everyman: Alas, shall I have no longer respite5 I may say /eath giveth no warning: To thin$ on thee, it ma$eth my heart sic$, (or all unready is my !oo$ of rec$oning" But twelve year and I might have a!iding, My counting !oo$ I would ma$e so clear, That my rec$oning I should not need to fear" 'herefore, /eath, I pray thee, for ,od3s mercy, Spare me till I provided of remedy" /eath: Thee availeth not to cry, weep, and pray:

But haste thee lightly that you were gone the -ourney, And prove thy friends if thou can" (or, wete thou well, the tide a!ideth no man, And in the world each living creature (or Adam3s sin must die of nature" Everyman: /eath, if I should this pilgrimage ta$e, And my rec$oning surely ma$e, Show me, for saint charity, Should I not come again shortly5 /eath: 1o, Everyman0 and thou !e once there,

Thou mayst never more come here, Trust me verily" Everyman: . gracious ,od, in the high seat celestial, ave mercy on me in this most need0 Shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial .f mine ac8uaintance that way to me lead5 /eath: &ea, if any !e so hardy

That would go with thee and !ear thee company" ie thee that you were gone to ,od3s magnificence,

Thy rec$oning to give !efore his presence" 'hat, weenest thou thy life is given thee, And thy worldly goods also5 Everyman: I had went so verily" /eath: 1ay, nay0 it was !ut lent thee0

(or as soon as thou art go, Another awhile shall have it, and then go therefor Even as thou hast done" Everyman, thou art mad0 thou hast thou wits five, And here on earth will not amend thy life, (or suddenly I do come" Everyman: . wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee, That I might scape this endless sorrow% 1ow, gentle /eath, spare me till to-morrow, That I may amend me 'ith good advisement" /eath: 1ay, thereto I will not consent,

1or no man will I respite, But to the heart suddenly I shall smite 'ithout any advisement" And now out of thy sight I will me hie0 See thou ma$e thee ready shortly, (or thou mayst say this is the day That no man living may escape away" Everyman0 Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep0 1ow have I no manner of company To help me in my -ourney, and me to $eep0 And also my writing is full unready" ow shall I do now for to e6cuse me5

I would to ,od I had never !e gete2% 2!een !orn To my soul a great profit it had !e0 (or now I fear pains huge and great" The time passeth0 #ord, help that all wrought0 (or though I mourn it availeth nought" The day passeth, and is almost a-go0 I wot not well what for to do" To whom were I !est my complaint do ma$e5 'hat, and I to (ellowship thereof spa$e, And show him of this sudden chance5 (or in him is all my affiance0 'e have in the world so many a day Be on good friends in sport and play" I see him yonder, certainly0 I trust that he will !ear me company0 Therefore to him will I spea$ to ease my sorrow" 'ell met, good (ellowship, and good morrow% (ellowship: Everyman, good morrow !y this day" Sir, why loo$est thou so piteously5 If anything !e amiss, I pray thee, me say, That I may help to remedy" Everyman: &ea, good (ellowship, yea, I am in great -eopardy" (ellowship: My true friend, show me your mind0 I will not forsa$e thee, unto my life3s end, In the way of good company" Everyman: That was well spo$en, and lovingly" (ellowship: Sir, I must needs $now your heaviness0 I have pity to see you in any distress0

If any have you wronged ye shall revenged !e, Though I on the ground !e slain for thee,Though that I $now !efore that I should die" Everyman: 4erily, (ellowship, gramercy" (ellowship: Tush% !y thy than$s I set not a straw" Show me your grief, and say no more" Everyman: If I my heart should to you !rea$, And then you to turn your mind from me, And would not me comfort, when you here me spea$, Then should I ten times sorrier !e" (ellowship: Sir, I say as I will do in deed" Everyman: Then !e you a good friend at need0 I have found you true here !efore" (ellowship: And so ye shall evermore0 (or, in faith, and thou go to ell I will not forsa$e thee !y the way% Everyman: &e spea$ li$e a good friend0 I !elieve you well0 I shall deserve it, and I may" (ellowship: I spea$ of no deserving, !y this day" (or he that will say and nothing do Is not worthy with good company to go0 Therefore show me the grief of your mind, As to your friend most loving and $ind" Everyman: I shall show you how it is0 +ommanded I am to go on a -ourney, A long way, hard and dangerous, And give a strait count without delay Before the high -udge Adonai2" 2,od 'herefore I pray you !ear me company,

As ye have promised, in this -ourney" (ellowship: That is a matter indeed% *romise is duty, But, and I should ta$e such a voyage on me, I $now it well, it should !e to my pain: Also it ma$e me afeard, certain" But let us ta$e counsel here as well we can, (or your words would fear a strong man" Everyman 'hy, ye said, If I had need, &e would me never forsa$e, 8uic$ nor dead, Though it were to hell truly" (ellowship: So I said, certainly, But such pleasures !e set aside, thee sooth to say: And also, if we too$ such a -ourney, 'hen should we come again5 Everyman: 1ay, never again till the day of doom" (ellowship: In faith, then will not I come there% 'ho hath you these tidings !rought5 Everyman: Indeed, /eath was with me here (ellowship: 1ow, !y ,od that all hath !rought, If /eath were the messenger, (or no man that is living to-day I will not go that loath -ourney1ot for the father that !egat me% Everyman: &e promised other wise, pardie" (ellowship: I wot well I say so truly0 And yet if thou wilt eat, and drin$, and ma$e good cheer, .r haunt to women, the lusty companion, I would not forsa$e you, while the day is clear, Trust me verily%

Everyman: &ea, thereto ye would !e ready0 To go to mirth, solace, and play, &our mind will sooner apply Than to !ear me company in my long -ourney" (ellowship: 1ow, in good faith, I will not that way" But and thou wilt murder, or any man $ill, In that I will help thee with a good will% Everyman: . that is a simple advice indeed% ,entle fellow, help me in my necessity0 'e have loved long, and now I need, And now, gentle (ellowship, remem!er me" (ellowship: 'hether ye have loved me or no, By Saint )ohn, I will not with thee go" Everyman: &et I pray thee, ta$e the la!our, and do so much for me To !ring me forward, for saint charity, And comfort me till I come without the town" (ellowship: 1ay, and thou would give me a new gown, I will not a foot with thee go0 But and you had tarried I would not have left thee so" And as now, ,od speed thee in thy -ourney, (or from thee I will depart as fast as I may" Everyman: 'hither away, (ellowship5 'ill you forsa$e me5 (ellowship: &ea, !y my fay, to ,od I !eta$e thee" Everyman: (arewell, good (ellowship0 for this my heart is sore0 Adieu for ever, I shall see thee no more" (ellowship: In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the end0 (or you I will remem!er that parting is mourning" Everyman: Alac$% Shall we thus depart indeed5 .ur #ady, help, without any more comfort,

#o, (ellowship forsa$eth me in my most need: (or help in this world whither shall I resort5 (ellowship here!efore with me would merry ma$e0 And now little sorrow for me doth he ta$e" It is said, in prosperity men friends may find, 'hich in adversity !e fully un$ind" 1ow whither for succour shall I flee, Sith that (ellowship hath forsa$en me5 To my $insmen I will truly, *raying them to help me in my necessity0 I !elieve that they will do so, (or $ind will creep where it may not go" I will go say, for yonder I see them go" 'here !e ye now, my friends and $insmen5 7indred: ere !e we now at your commandment"

+ousin, I pray you show us your intent In any wise, and not spare" +ousin: &ea, Everyman, and to us declare If ye !e disposed to go any whither, (or wete you well, we will live and die together" 7indred: In wealth and woe we will with you hold, (or over his $in a man may !e !old" Everyman: ,ramercy, my friends and $insmen $ind" 1ow shall I show you the grief of my mind: I was commanded !y a messenger, That is a high $ing3s chief officer0 e !ade me go on a pilgrimage to my pain, And I $now well I shall never come again0 Also I must give a rec$oning straight,

(or I have a great enemy, that hath me in wait, 'hich intendeth me for to hinder" 7indred: 'hat account is that which ye must render5 That would I $now" Everyman: .f all my wor$s I must show ow I have lived and my days spent0 Also of ill deeds, that I have used In my time, sith life was me lent0 And of all virtues that I have refused" Therefore I pray you thither with me, To help to ma$e account, for saint charity" +ousin: 'hat, to go thither5 Is that the matter5

1ay, Everyman, I had liefer fast !read and water All this five year and more" Everyman: Alas, that ever I was !ore% (or now shall I never !e merry If that you forsa$e me" 7indred: Ah, sir0 what, ye !e a merry man%

Ta$e good heart to you, and ma$e no moan" But as one thing I warn you, !y Saint Anne, As for me, ye shall go alone" Everyman: My +ousin, will you not with me go" +ousin: 1o !y our #ady0 I have the cramp in my toe"

Trust not to me, for, so ,od me speed, I will deceive you in your most need" 7indred: It availeth not us to tice"

&e shall have my maid with all my heart0 She loveth to go to feasts, there to !e nice, And to dance, and a!road to start:

I will give her leave to help you in that -ourney, If that you and she may agree" Everyman: 1ow show me the very effect of your mind" 'ill you go with me, or a!ide !ehind5 7indred: A!ide !ehind5 &ea, that I will and I may%

Therefore farewell until another day" Everyman: ow should I !e mary or glad5

(or fair promises to me ma$e, But when I have most need, they me forsa$e" I am deceived0 that ma$eth me sad +ousin: +ousin Everyman, farewell now,

(or varily I will not go with you0 Also of mine an unready rec$oning I have to account0 therefore I ma$e tarrying" 1ow, ,od $eep thee, for now I go" Everyman: Ah, )esus, is all come hereto5 #o, fair words ma$eth fools feign0 They promise and nothing will do certain" My $insmen promised me faithfully (or to a!ide with me steadfastly, And now fast away do they flee: Even so (ellowship promised me" 'hat friend were !est me of to provide5 I lose my time here longer to a!ide" &et in my mind a thing there is0All my life I have loved riches0 If that my good now help me might, e would ma$e my heart full light" I will spea$ to him in this distress"-

'here art thou, my ,oods and riches5 ,oods: 'ho calleth me5 Everyman5 'hat hast thou hast%

I lie here in corners, trussed and piled so high, And in chest I am loc$ed so fast, Also sac$ed in !ags, thou mayst see with thine eye, I cannot stir0 in pac$s low I lie" 'hat would ye have, lightly me say" Everyman: +ome hither, ,oods, in all the hast thou may, (or of counsel I must desire thee" ,oods: Sir, and ye in the world have trou!le or adversity,

That can I help you to remedy shortly" Everyman: It is another disease that grieveth me0 In this world it is not, I tell thee so" I am sent for another way to go, To give a straight account general Before the highest )upiter of all0 And all my life I have had -oy and pleasure in thee" Therefore I pray thee go with me, (or, peradventure, thou mayst !efore ,od Almighty My rec$oning help to clean and purify0 (or it is said ever among, That money ma$eth all right that is wrong" ,oods: 1ay, Everyman, I sing another song,

I follow no man in such voyages0 (or and I went with thee Thou shouldst fare much the worse for me0 (or !ecause on me thou did set thy hand, Thy rec$oning I have made !lotted and !lind, That thine account thou cannot ma$e truly0

And that hast thou for the love of me" Everyman: That would grieve me full sore, 'hen I should come to that fearful answer" 9p, let us go thither together" ,oods: 1ay, not so, I am, to !rittle, I may not endure0

I will follow no man one foot, !e ye sure"

Everyman: Alas, I have thee loved, and had great pleasure All my life-days on good and treasure" ,oods: That is to thy damnation without lesing,

(or my love is contrary to the love everlasting" But if thou had loved moderately during, As, to the poor give part of me, Then shouldst thou not in this dolour !e, 1or in this great sorrow care" Everyman: #o, now was I deceived or was I ware, And all may wyte2 my spending time" 2!lame ,oods: 'hat, weenest thou that I am thine5

Everyman: I had wend so" ,oods: 1ay, Everyman, say no0

As for a while I was lent thee, A season thou hast had me in prosperity0 My condition is man3s soul to $ill0 If I save one, a thousand I do spill0 'eenest thou that I will follow thee5 1ay, from this world, not verrily" Everyman: I had wend otherwise" ,oods: Therefore to thy soul ,ood is a thief0

(or when thou art dead, this is my guise

Another to deceive in the same wise As I have done thee, and all to his soul3s reprief" Everyman: . false ,ood, cursed thou !e% Thou traitor to ,od, that hast deceived me, And caught me in thy snare" ,oods: Marry, thou !rought thyself in care,

'hereof I am glad, I must needs laugh, I cannot !e sad" Everyman: Ah, ,ood, thou hast had long my heartly love0 I gave thee that which should !e the #ord3s a!ove" But wilt thou not go with me in deed5 I pray thee truth to say" ,oods: 1o, so ,od me speed,

Therefore farewell, and have good day" Everyman: ., to whom shall I ma$e my moan (or to go with me in that heavy -ourney5 (irst (ellowship said he would go with me gone0 is words were very pleasant and gay, But afterward he left me alone" Then spa$e I to my $insmen all in despair, And also they gave me words fair, They lac$ed no fair spea$ing, But all forsa$e me in the ending" Then went I to my ,oods that I loved !est, In hope to have comfort, !ut there had I least0 (or my ,oods sharply did me tell That he !ringeth many to hell" Then of myself I was ashamed, And so I am worthy to !e !lamed0

Thus may I well myself hate" .f whom shall now counsel ta$e5 I thin$ that I shall never speed Till that I go to my ,ood-/eed, But alas, she is so wea$, That she can neither go nor spea$0 &et I will venture on her now"My ,ood-/eeds, where !e you5 ,ood-/eeds: ere I lie cold in the ground0 Thy sins hath me sore !ound, That I cannot stir" Everyman: ., ,ood-/eeds, I stand in fear0 I must you pray counsel, (or help now should come right well" ,ood-/eeds: Everyman, I have understanding That ye !e summoned account to ma$e Before Messias, of )erusalem 7ing0 And if you do !y me that -ourney what you will I ta$e" Everyman: Therefore I come to you, my moan to ma$e0 I pray you, that ye will go with me" ,ood-/eeds: I would full fain, !ut I cannot stand verily" Everyman: 'hy, is there anything on you fall5 ,ood-/eeds: &ea, sir, I may than$ you of all0 If ye had perfectly cheered me, &our !oo$ of account now full ready had !e" #oo$, the !oo$s of your wor$s and deeds e$e0 .h, see how they lie under the feet, To your soul3s heaviness" Everyman: .ur #ord )esus, help me%

(or one letter here I can not see" ,ood-/eeds: There is a !lind rec$oning in time of distress% Everyman: ,ood-/eeds, I pray you, help me in this need, .r else I am forever damned indeed0 Therefore help me to ma$e rec$oning Before the redeemer of all thing, That $ing is, and was, and ever shall" ,ood-/eeds: Everyman, I am sorry for your fall, And fain would I help you, and I were a!le" Everyman: ,ood-/eeds, you counsel I pray you give me" ,ood-/eeds: That shall I do verily0 Though that on my feet I may not go, I have a sister, that shall with you also, +alled 7nowledge, which shall you a!ide, To help you ma$e that dreadful rec$oning" 7nowledge: Everyman, I will go with thee, and !e thy guide, In thy most need to go !y thy side" Everyman: In good condition I am now in every thing, And am wholly content with this good thing0 Than$ed !e ,od my creator" ,ood-/eeds: And when he hath !rought thee there, 'here thou shalt heal thee of thy smart, Then go with your rec$oning and your ,ood-/eeds together (or to ma$e you -oyful at heart Before the !lessed Trinity" Everyman: My ,ood-/eeds, gramercy0 I am well content, certainly, 'ith your words sweet" 7nowledge: 1ow we go together lovingly,

To +onfession, that cleansing river" Everyman: (or -oy I weep0 I would we were there0 But, I pray you, give me cognition 'here dwelleth that holy man, +onfession" 7nowledge: in the house of salvation: 'e shall find him in that place, That shall us comfort !y ,od3s grace" #o, this is +onfession0 $neel down and as$ mercy, (or he is in good conceit with ,od almighty" Everyman: . glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify, That on me no sin may !e seen0 I come with 7nowledge for my redemption, :epent with hearty and full contrition0 (or I am commanded a pilgrimage to ta$e, And great accounts !efore ,od to ma$e" 1ow, I pray you, Shrift, mother of salvation, elp my good deeds for my piteous e6clamation" +onfession: I $now your sorrow well, Everyman0 Because with 7nowledge ye come to me, I will you comfort as well as I can, And a precious -ewel I will give thee, +alled penance, wise voider of adversity0 Therewith shall your !ody chastised !e, 'ith a!stinence and perseverance in ,od3s service: ere shall you receive that scourge of me, 'hich is penance strong, that ye must endure, To remem!er thy Saviour was scourged for thee 'ith sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently0 So must thou, or thou scape that that painful pilgrimage0

7nowledge, $eep him in this voyage, And !y that time ,ood-/eeds will !e with thee" But in any wise, !e sure of mercy, (or your time draweth fast, and ye will saved !e0 As$ ,od mercy, and e will grant truly, 'hen with the scourge of penance man doth him !ind, The oil of forgiveness then shall he find" Everyman: Than$ed !e ,od for his gracious wor$% (or now I will my penance !egin0 This hath re-oiced and lighted my heart, Though the $nots !e painful and within" 7nowledge: Everyman, loo$ your penance that ye fulfil, 'hat pain that ever it to you !e, And 7nowledge shall give you counsel at will, ow your accounts you shall ma$e clearly, Everyman: . eternal ,od, . heavenly figure, . way of rightwiseness, . goodly vision, 'hich descended down in a virgin pure Because he would Everyman redeem, 'hich Adam forfeited !y his diso!edience: . !lessed ,odhead, elect and high-divine, (orgive my grievous offence0 ere I cry thee mercy in this presence" . ghostly treasure, . ransomer and redeemer .f all the world, hope and conductor, Mirror of -oy, and founder of mercy, 'hich illumineth heaven and earth there!y, ear my clamorous complain, though it late !e0 :eceive my prayers0 unworthy in this heavy life,

Though I !e, a sinner most a!omina!le, &et let my name !e written in Moses3 ta!le0 . Mary, pray to the Ma$er of all thing, Me for to help at my ending, And same me from the power of my enemy, (or /eath assaileth me strongly, And, #ady, that I may !y means of they prayer .f your Son3s glory to !e parta$er, By the means of h is passion I it crave, I !eseech you, help my soul to save" 7nowledge, give me the scourge of penance0 My flesh therewith shall give a 8uittance0 I will now !egin, if ,od give me grace" 7nowledge: Everyman, ,od give you time and space: Thus I !e8ueath you in the hands of our Savior, Thus may you ma$e your rec$oning sure" Everyman: In the name of the oly Trinity, My !ody sore punished shall !e: Ta$e this !ody for the sin of the flesh0 Also though delightest to go gay and fresh0 And in the way of damnation thou did me !rine0 Therefore suffer now stro$es and punishing" 1ow of penance I will wade the water clear, To save me from purgatory, that sharp fire" ,ood-/eeds: I than$ ,od, now I can wal$ and go0 And am delivered of my sic$ness and woe" Therefore with Everyman I will go, and not spare0 is good wor$s I will help him to declare" 7nowledge: 1ow, Everyman, !e merry and glad0

&our ,ood-/eeds cometh now0 1ow is your ,ood-/eeds whole and sound, ,oing upright upon the ground" Everyman: My heart is light, and shall !e evermore0 1ow will I smite faster than I did !efore" ,ood-/eeds: Everyman, pilgrim, my special friend, Blessed !y thou without end0 (or thee is prepared the eternal glory, &e gave me made whole and sound, Therefore I will !id !y thee in every stound2" 2season Everyman: 'elcome, my ,ood-/eeds0 now I hear thy voice, I weep for very sweetness of love" 7nowledge: Be no more sad, !ut ever re-oice, ,od seeth they living in this throne a!ove0 *ut on his garment to thy !ehove, 'hich is wet with your tears, .r else !efore god you may it miss, 'hen you to your -ourney3s end come shall" Everyman: ,entle 7nowledge, what do you it call5 7nowledge: It is a garment of sorrow: (rom pain it will you !orrow0 +ontrition it is, That getteth forgiveness0 It pleaseth ,od passing well" ,ood-/eeds: Everyman, will you wear it for your heal5 Everyman: 1ow !lessed !y )esu" Mary3s Son% (rom now have I on true contrition" And let us go now without tarrying0 ,ood-/eeds, have we clear our rec$oning5

,ood-/eeds: &ea, indeed I have it here" Everyman: Then I trust we need not fear0 1ow friends, let us not part in twain" 7nowledge: 1ay, Everyman, that will we not, certain" ,ood-/eeds: &et must thou lead with thee Three persons of great might" Everyman: 'ho should they !e5 ,ood-/eeds: /iscretion and Strength, they hight, And thy Beauty may not a!ide !ehind" 7nowledge: Also ye must call to mind" &our (ive-wits as for your counsellors" ,ood-/eeds: &ou must have them ready at all hours Everyman: ow shall I get them hinder5

7nowledge: &ou must call them all together, And they will hear you incontient" Everyman: My friends, come hither and !e present /iscretion, Strength, my (ive-wits and Beauty" Beauty: ere at you will we !e all ready"

'hat will ye that we should do5 ,ood-/eeds: That ye would with Everyman go, And help him in his pilgrimage, Advise you, will ye with him or not in that voyage5 Strength: 'e will !ring him all thither,

To his help and comfort, ye may !elieve me" /iscretion: So will we go with him all together" Everyman: Almighty ,od, loved thou !e, I give thee laud that I have hither !rought Strength, /iscretion, Beauty, and (ive-wits0 lac$ I nought0 And my ,ood-/eeds, with 7nowledge clear,

I desire no more to my !usiness" Strength: And I, Strength, will !y you stand in distress,

Though thou would !e !attle fight on the ground," (ive-'its: And though it were through the world round,

'e will not depart for sweet nor sour" Beauty: 1o more will I unto death3s hour,

'hatsoever thereof !efall" /iscretion: Everyman, advise you first of all0

,o with a good advisement and deli!eration0 'e all give you virtuous monitiion That all shall !e well" Everyman: My friends, har$en what I will tell: I pray ,od reward you in his heavenly sphere" 1ow har$en, all that !e here, (or I will ma$e my testament ere !efore you all present" In alms half good I will give with my hands twain In the way of charity with good intent, And the other half still shall remain In 8uiet to !e returned there it ought to !e" This I do in despite of the fiend of hell To go 8uite out if his peril" Even after and this day" 7nowledge: Everyman, hear$en what I say0 ,o to priesthood, I you advise, And receive of him in any wise The holy sacrament and ointment together0 Then shortly see ye turn again hither0 'e will all a!ide you here"

(ive-'its:

&ea, Everyman, hie you that ye ready were,

There is no emperor, $ing, du$e, ne !aron, That of ,od hath commission, As hath the least priest in the world !eing0 e !eareth the $eys and thereof hath the cure (or man3s redemption, it is ever sure0 'hich ,od for our soul3s medicine ,ave us out of his heart with great pine0 ere in this transitory life, for thee and me The !lessed sacraments seven there !e, Baptism, confirmation, with priesthood good, And the sacrament of ,od3s precious flesh and !lood, Marriage, the holy e6treme unction, and penance0 ,racious sacraments of high divinity" Everyman: (ain would I receive that holy !ody And mee$ to my ghostly father I will go" (ive-wits: Everyman, that is the !est that ye can do:

,od will you to salvation !ring, (or priesthood e6ceedeth all other things0 To us oly Scripture they do teach" And converteth man from sin heaven to reach0 ,od hath to them more power given, Than to any angel that is in heaven0 'ith five words he may consecrate ,od3s !ody in flesh and !lood to male, And handleth his ma$er !etween his hands0 The priest !indeth and un!indeth all !ands, Both in earth and in heaven0 Thou ministers all the sacraments seven0

Though we $issed thy feet thou were worthy0 Thou art surgeon that cureth sin deadly0 1o remedy we find under ,od But all only priesthood" Everyman, ,od gave priests that dignity, And setteth them in his stead amount us to !e0 Thus !e they a!ove angels in degree 7nowledge: If priests !e good it is so surely0 But when )esus hanged on the cross with great smart There he gave, out of his !lessed heart, The same sacrament in great torment: e sold them not to us, that #ord .mnipotent" Therefore Saint *eter the apostle doth say That )esu3s curse hath all they 'hich ,od their Savior do !uy or sell, .r they for any money do ta$e or tell" Sinful priests giveth the sinners e6ample !ad0 Their children sitteth !y other men3s fires, I have heard0 And some haunteth women3s company, 'ith unclean life, as lusts of lechery: These !e with sin made !lind" (ive-wits: I trust to ,od no such may we find0

Therefore let us priesthood honour, And follow their doctrine for our souls3 succour0 'e !e their sheep, and they shepherds !e By whom we all !e $ept in surety" *eace, for yonder I see Everyman come, 'hich hath made true satisfaction" ,ood-/eeds: Methin$eth it is he indeed"

Everyman: 1ow )esu !e our alder speed2" 2 speed in help of all I have received the sacrament for my redemption, And then mine e6treme unction: Blessed !e all they that counsell me to ta$e it% And now, friends, let us go without longer respite0 I than$ ,od that ye have tarried so long" 1ow set each of you on this rod your hand, And shortly follow me: I go !efore, there I would !e0 ,od !e our guide" Strength: Everyman, we will not from you go,

Till ye have done this voyage long" /iscretion: I, /iscretion, will !ide !y you also"

7nowledge: And though this pilgrimage !e never so strong, I will never part you fro: Everyman, I will !e as sure !y the As ever I did !y )udas Macca!ee" Everyman: Alas, I am so faint I may not stand, My lim!s under me do fold0 (riends, let us not turn again to this land, 1ot for all the world3s gold, (or into this cave must I creep And turn to the earth and there to sleep" Beauty: 'hat into this grave5 Alas%

Everyman: &ea, there shall you consume more and less" Beauty: And what, should I smother here5

Everyman: &ea, !y my faith, and never more appear" In this world live no more we shall, But in heaven !efore the highest #ord of all" Beauty: I cross out all this0 adieu !y Saint )ohn0

I ta$e my cap in my lap and am gone" Everyman: 'hat, Beauty, whither will ye5 Beauty: *eace, I am deaf0 I loo$ not !ehind me,

1ot and thou would give me all the gold in thy chest" Everyman: Alas, whereto may I trust5 Beauty goeth fast away hie0 She promised with me to live and die" Strength: Everyman, I will thee also forsa$e and deny0

Thy game li$eth me not at all" Everyman: 'hy, then ye will forsa$e me all" Sweet Strength, tarry a little space" Strength: 1ay, sir, !y thy rood of grace

I will hie me from thee fast, Though thou weep till thy heart !rast" Everyman: &e would ever !ide !y me, ye said" Strength: &ea, I have you far enough conveyed0

&e !e old enough, I understand, &our pilgrimage to ta$e on hand0 I repent me that I hither came" Everyman: Strength, you to displease I am to !lame0 'ill you !rea$ promise that is de!t5 Strength: In faith, I care not0

Thou art !ut a fool to complain, &ou spend your speech and waste your !rain0 ,o thrust thee into the ground" Everyman: I had went surer I should you have found" e that trustest in his Strength She him deceiveth at the length" Both Strength and Beauty forsa$eth me,

&et they promise me fair and lovingly" /iscretion: Everyman, I will after Strength !e gone,

As for me I will leave you alone" Everyman: 'hy, /iscretion, will ye forsa$e me5 /iscretion: &ea, in faith, I will go from thee, (or when Strength goeth !efore I follow after evermore" Everyman: &et, I pray thee, for the love of the Trinity, #oo$ in my grave once piteously" /iscretion: 1ay, so nigh will I not come" (arewell, every one% Everyman: . all thing faileth, save ,od alone0 Beauty, Strength, and /iscretion0 (or when /eath !loweth his !last, They all run from me full fast" (ive-wits: Everyman, my leave now of thee I ta$e0

I will follow the other, for here I thee forsa$e" Everyman: . )esu, help, all hath forsa$en me% ,ood-/eeds: 1ay, Everyman, I will !ide with thee, I will not forsa$e thee indeed0 Thou shalt find me a good friend at need" Everyman: ,ramercy, ,ood-/eeds0 now may I true friends see0 They have forsa$en me every one0 I loved them !etter than my ,ood-/eeds alone" 7nowledge, will ye forsa$e me also5 7nowledge: &ea, Everyman, when ye to death do go0 But not yet for no manner of danger" Everyman: ,ramercy, 7nowledge, with all me heart" 7nowledge: 1ay, yet I will not depart from hence depart,

Till I see where ye shall !e come" Everyman: Methin$eth, alas, that I must !e gone, To ma$e my rec$oning and my de!ts pay, (or I see my time is nigh spent away" Ta$e e6ample, all ye that do hear or see, ow they that I loved !est do forsa$e me, E6cept my ,ood-/eeds that !ideth truly" ,ood-/eeds: All earthly things is !ut vanity: Beauty, Strength, and /iscretion, do man forsa$e, (oolish friends and $insmen, that fair spa$e, All fleeth save ,ood-/eeds, and that am I" Everyman: ave mercy on me, ,od, most mighty0

And stand !y me, thou Mother and Maid, holy Mary" ,ood-/eeds: (ear not, I will spea$ for thee" Everyman: ere I cry ,od mercy"

,ood-/eeds: Short our end, and minish our pain0 #et us go and never come again" Everyman: Into thy hands, #ord, my soul I commend0 :eceive it, #ord, that it !e not lost0 As thou me !oughtest, so me defend, And save me from the fiend3s !oast, That I may appear with that !lessed host That shall !e saved at the day of doom" In manus tuas- of might3s most (or ever- commendo spiritum meum" 7nowledge: 1ow hath he suffered that we all shall endure0 The ,ood-/eeds shall ma$e all sure" 1ow hath he made ending0 Methin$eth that I hear angels sing

And ma$e great -oy and melody, 'here Everyman3s soul received shall !e" Angel: +ome, e6cellent elect spouse to )esu:

erea!ove thou shalt go Because of thy singular virtue: 1ow the soul is ta$en the !ody fro0 Thy rec$oning is crystal-clear" 1ow shalt thou into the heavenly sphere, 9nto the which all ye shall come That liveth well !efore the day of doom" /octor: This moral men may have in mind0

&e hearers, ta$e it of worth, old and young, And forsa$e pride, for he deceiveth you in the end, And remem!er Beauty, (ive-wits, Strength, and /iscretion, They all at last do Everyman forsa$e, Save his ,ood-/eeds, there doth he ta$e" But !eware, and they !e small Before ,od, he hath no help at all" 1one e6cuse may !e there for Everyman: Alas, how shall he do then5 (or after death amends may no man ma$e, (or then mercy and pity do him forsa$e" If his rec$oning !e not clear when he do come, ,od will say- ite maledicti in ignem aeternum" And he that hath his account whole and sound, igh in heaven he shall !e crowned0 9nto which place ,od !ring us all thither That we may live !ody and soul together" Thereto help the Trinity,

Amen, say ye, for saint +harity" T 9S E1/ET T IS M.:A## *#A& .( E4E:&MA1"