Кафедра истории зарубежной литературы
филологического факультета МГУ им. М.В. Ломоносова
Department of History of Foreign Literatures, Lomonosov State University of Moscow (MGU)
The Somoninge of Everyman
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The rhyme scheme of the play combines couplets and quatrains made up of lines of unequal length in stanzas of varying lengths, with occasional tail rhyme. The English Everyman survives in four printed editions by two printers from the period 1508 to 1537. The present text is based on the Britwell copy (ca. 1528-29), printed by John Skot. Apparently none of the four texts was copied from any other; all may be derived from a common original. The other copies have been used to correct the Britwell copy when it is clearly in error, as indicated in the textual notes. |
EVERYMAN
[DRAMATIS PERSONAE
| GOD | ||
| MESSENGER | KNOWLEGE | |
| DETHE | CONFESSION | |
| EVERYMAN | BEAUTE | |
| FELAWSHIP | STRENGTH | |
| KINREDE | DISCRECION | |
| COSYN | FIVE WITTES | |
| GOODES | AUNGELL | |
| GOOD DEDES | DOCTOUR] | |
| Here Beginneth a Treatise how the hye Fader of Heven sendeth Dethe to somon every Creature to come and give Acounte of their Lives in this Worlde, and is in Maner of a Morall Playe. | ||
| [Enter a messenger as prologue.] | ||
| MESSENGER. I pray you all give your audience, | ||
| And here this mater with reverence, | hear | |
| By figure a morall playe: | In form | |
| The Somoninge of Everyman called it is, | ||
| That of our lives and endinge shewes | ||
| How transitory we be all daye. | always | |
| This mater is wonder[ou]s precious, | ||
| But the entent of it is more gracious, | intent, moral lesson | |
| And swete to bere awaye. | ||
| 10 | The story saith: Man, in the beginninge | |
| Loke well, and take good heed to the endinge, | ||
| Be you never so gay! | ||
| Ye thinke sinne in the beginninge full swere | ||
| Whiche in the ende causeth the soule to wepe | ||
| Whan the body lieth in claye. | ||
| Here shall you se how Falawship and Jolité, | ||
| Bothe Strengthe, Pleasure, and Beauté, | ||
| Will fade from the[e] as floure in Maye; | ||
| For ye shall here how our heven Kinge | hear | |
| 20 | Calleth Everyman to a generall rekeninge. | |
| Give audience, and here what he doth saye. [Exit.] | hear | |
| God speketh [from above]: | ||
| GOD. I perceive, here in my majesté, | ||
| How that all creatures be to me unkinde, | ||
| Livinge without drede in worldly prosperité. | ||
| Of ghostly sight the people be so blinde, | spiritual vision | |
| Drowned in sinne, they know me not for their God. | ||
| In worldely riches is all their minde; | ||
| They fere not my rightwysnes, the sharpe rod. | fear|righteousness | |
| My love that I shewed whan I for them died | ||
| They forgete clene, and shedinge of my blode rede. | ||
| I hanged bitwene two [theves], it cannot be denied; | ||
| To gete them life I suffred to be deed; | get|consented|dead | |
| 33 | I heled their fete, with thornes hurt was my heed. | feet |
| I coude do no more than I dide, truely; | ||
| And nowe I se the people do clene forsake me. | ||
| They use the seven deedly sinnes dampnable, | ||
| As pride, coveitise, wrath, and lechery | ||
| Now in the worlde be made commendable; | ||
| And thus they leve of aungelles the hevenly company. | leave | |
| 40 | Every man liveth so after his owne pleasure, | |
| And yet of their life they be nothinge sure. | not at all secure | |
| I se the more that I them forbere | spare them | |
| The worse they be fro yere to yere. | from | |
| All that liveth appaireth faste. | grows worse | |
| Therfore I will, in all the haste, | ||
| Have a rekeninge of every mannes persone; | ||
| For, and I leve the people thus alone | if | |
| In their life and wicked tempestes, | ||
| Verily they will become moche worse than beestes! | ||
| 50 | For now one wolde by envy another up ete; | |
| Charité they do all clene forgete. | ||
| I hoped well that every man | ||
| In my glory sholde make his mansion, | ||
| And therto I had them all electe. | ||
| But now I se, like traitours dejecte, | abject | |
| They thanke me not for the pleasure that I to them ment, | meant for them | |
| Nor yet for their beinge that I them have lent. | ||
| I profered the people grete multitude of mercy. | ||
| And fewe there be that asketh it hertly. | with their hearts | |
| 60 | They be so combred with worldly riches | |
| That nedes on them I must do justice, | I must needs, must | |
| On everyman livinge, without fere. | ||
| Where arte thou, Deth, thou mighty messengere? | ||
| [Enter] Death. | ||
| DETHE. Almighty God, I am here at your will, | ||
| Your commaundement to fulfill. | ||
| GOD. Go thou to Everyman | ||
| And shewe him, in my name, | ||
| A pilgrimage he must on him take | ||
| Whiche he in no wise may escape, | ||
| 70 | And that he bringe with him a sure rekeninge | |
| Without delay or ony taryenge. [God withdraws.] | ||
| DETHE. Lorde, I will in the worlde go renne over all, | run everywhere | |
| And cruelly out-serche bothe grete and small. | ||
| Every man will I beset that liveth beestly | ||
| Out of Goddes lawes, and dredeth not foly. | ||
| He that loveth richesse I will strike with my darte, | ||
| 77 | His sight to blinde, and fro heven to departe - | separate |
| Excepte that almes be his good frende - | Unless | |
| In hell for to dwell, worlde without ende. | ||
| [Enter Everyman at a distance.] | ||
| Loo, yonder I se Everyman walkinge. | ||
| Full litell he thinketh on my cominge; | ||
| His minde is on flesshely lustes and his treasure, | ||
| And grete paine it shall cause him to endure | to submit himself | |
| Before the Lorde, heven Kinge. | ||
| [Death halts Everyman.] | ||
| Everyman, stande still! Winder arte thou goinge | ||
| Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forgete? | ||
| EVERYMAN. Why askest thou? | ||
| Woldest thou wete? | wit, know | |
| DETHE. Ye[a], sir, I will shewe you: | ||
| 90 | In grete hast[e] I am sende to the[e| | |
| Fro God out of his magesté. | ||
| EVERYMAN. What, sente to me? | ||
| DETHE. Ye[a], certainly. | ||
| Thoughe thou have forgete him here, | ||
| He thinketh on the[e] in the hevenly sp[h]ere, | ||
| As, or we departe, thou shalte knowe. | ere | |
| EVERYMAN. What desireth God of me? | ||
| DETHE. That shall I shewe the[e]: | ||
| A rekeninge he will nedes have | he must have | |
| 100 | Without ony lenger respite. | any longer |
| EVERYMAN. To give a rekeninge, longer laiser I crave! | leisure | |
| This blinde mater troubleth my witte. | obscure | |
| DETHE. On the[e] thou must take a longe journey; | ||
| Therfore thy boke of counte with the[e] thou bringe, | account | |
| For tourne againe thou cannot by no waye. | return | |
| And loke thou be sure of thy rekeninge, | ||
| For before God thou shalte answere and shewe | ||
| Thy many badde dedes, and good but a fewe, | deeds | |
| How thou hast spente thy life, and in what wise, | ||
| 110 | Before the chefe Lorde of paradise. | |
| Have ado that we were in that waye, | See to it/on our way | |
| For, wete thou well, thou shalte make none attournay. | make no one (your) attorney | |
| EVERYMAN. Full unredy I am suche rekeninge to give. | ||
| I knowe the[e] not. What messenger arte thou? | ||
| DETHE. I am Dethe, that no man dredeth, | that fears no man | |
| For every man I reste, and no man spareth. | arrest | |
| For it is Goddes commaundement | ||
| That all to me sholde be obedient. | ||
| EVERYMAN. O Deth, thou comest whin I had the[e] leest in minde! | ||
| 120 | In thy power it lieth me to save; | |
| Yet of my good wil I give the[e], if thou wil be kinde: | goods | |
| Ye[a], a thousande pounde shalte thou have, | ||
| And [thou] differre this mater till another daye. | If you defer | |
| DETHE. Everyman, it may not be, by no waye. | ||
| I set not by golde, silver, nor richesse, | care not for | |
| Ne by pope, emperour, kinge, duke, ne princes; | ||
| For, and I wolde receive giftes grete, | if/great | |
| All the worlde I might gete; | ||
| But my custome is clene contrary. | ||
| 130 | I give the[e] no respite. Come hens, and not tary. | hence |
| EVERYMAN. Alas, shall I have no lenger respite? | ||
| I may saye Deth giveth no warninge! | ||
| To thinke oh the[e], it maketh my herte seke, | sick | |
| For all unredy is my boke of rekeninge. | ||
| But twelve yere and I might have abidinge, | Only/if I could stay | |
| My countinge-boke I wolde make so clere | ||
| That my rekeninge I sholde not nede to fere. | ||
| Wherfore, Deth, I praye the[e], for Goddes mercy, | ||
| Spare me till I be provided of remedy! | ||
| DETHE. The[e] availeth not to crye, wepe, and praye; | ||
| 141 | But hast[e] the[e] lightly that thou were gone that journaye, | quickly |
| And preve thy frendes if thou can; | make trial of | |
| For, wete thou well, the tide abideth no man, | know/time | |
| And in the worlde eche livinge creature | ||
| For Adams sinne must die of nature. | in the course of nature | |
| EVERYMAN. Dethe, if I sholde this pilgrimage take, | ||
| And my rekeninge suerly make, | surely | |
| Shewe me, for saint charité, | for (the sake of) holy | |
| Sholde I not come againe shortly? | ||
| 150 | DETHE. No, Everyman. And thou be ones there, | Once you're there |
| Thou mayst nevermore come here, | ||
| Trust me verily. | ||
| EVERYMAN. O gracious God in the hye sete celestiall, | high seat | |
| Have mercy on me in this moost nede | ||
| Shall I have no company fro this vale terestriall | ||
| Of mine acqueyn[taun]ce, that way me to lede? | ||
| DETHE. Ye[a], if ony be so hardy | ||
| That wolde go with the[e] and bere the[e] company. | ||
| Hie the[e] that thou were gone to Goddes magnificence, | Hasten | |
| Thy rekeninge to give before his presence. | ||
| 161 | What, wenest thou thy live is given the[e], | ween, suppose/life |
| And thy worldely gooddes also? | ||
| EVERYMAN. I had wende so, verilé | verily | |
| DETHE. Nay, nay, it was but lende the[e]. | lent | |
| For as soone as thou arte go, | gone, dead | |
| Another a while shall have it, and than go therfro, | then go from it | |
| Even as thou hast done. | ||
| Everyman, thou arte mad! Thou hast thy wittes five, | ||
| And here on erthe will not amende thy live - | And (yet) | |
| For sodeynly I do come. | ||
| 171 | EVERYMAN. O wretched caitife, wheder shall I flee | whither |
| That I might scape this endles sorowe? | ||
| Now, gentill Deth, spare me till tomorowe, | ||
| That I may amende me | ||
| With good advisement. | reflection | |
| DETHE. Naye, therto I will not consent, | ||
| Nor no man will I respite, | ||
| But to the herte sodeynly I shall smite | ||
| Without ony advisement. | ||
| 180 | And now out of thy sight I will me hy. | hie, hasten |
| Se thou make the[e] redy shortely, | ||
| For thou mayst saye this is the daye | ||
| That no man livinge may scape awaye. [Exit.] | ||
| EVERYMAN. Alas, I may well wepe with sighes depe! | ||
| Now have I no maner of company | ||
| To helpe me in my journey, and me to kepe; | protect | |
| And also my writinge is full unredy. | i.e., my accounts | |
| How shall I do now for to excuse me? | ||
| I wolde to God I had never be gete! | been begotten | |
| 190 | To my soule a full grete profite it had be | been |
| For now I fere paines huge and grete. | ||
| The time passeth. Lorde, helpe, that all wrought! | who created everything | |
| For though I mourne it availeth nought: | ||
| The day passeth, and is almoost ago. | gone | |
| I wote not well what for to do. | ||
| To whome were I best my complaint to make? | ||
| What and I to Felawship therof spake, | if | |
| And shewyd him of this sodeyne chaunce? | misfortune | |
| For in him is all mine affiaunce, | trust | |
| 200 | We have in the worlde so many a daye | |
| Be good frendes, in sporte and playe. | ||
| [Fellowship enters at a distance.] | ||
| I se him yonder, certainely. | ||
| I trust that he will bere me company; | ||
| Therfore to him will I speke to ese my sorowe. | ||
| Well mette, good Felawship, and good morowe! | ||
| Felawship speketh: | ||
| FELAWSHIP. Everyman, good morowe, by this daye! | ||
| Sir, why lokest thou so piteously? | ||
| If ony thinge be amisse, I praye the[e] me saye. | ||
| That I may helpe to remedy. | ||
| 210 | EVERYMAN. Ye[a], good Felawship, ye[a], | |
| I am in greate jeopardé | ||
| FELAWSHIP. My true frende, shewe to me your minde; | ||
| I will not forsake the[e] to my lives ende | ||
| In the waye of good company. | ||
| EVERYMAN. That was well spoken, and lovingly. | ||
| FELAWSHIP. Sir, I must nedes knowe your hevinesse; | sorrow | |
| I have pité to se you in ony distresse. | ||
| If ony have you wronged, ye shall revenged be, | If anyone has | |
| Thoughe I on the grounde be slaine for the[e] - | ||
| 220 | Though that I knowe before that I sholde die! | |
| EVERYMAN. Verily, Felawship, gramercy. | great thanks | |
| FELAWSHIP. Tusshe, by thy thankes I set not a strawe! | don't care a bit | |
| Shewe me your grefe, and saye no more. | ||
| EVERYMAN. If I my herte sholde to you breke, | reveal | |
| And than you to tourne your minde fro me | then | |
| And wolde not me comforte whan ye here me speke, | hear | |
| Than sholde I ten times sorier be. | ||
| FELAWSHIP. Sir, I saye as I will do indede. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Than be you a good frende at nede! | ||
| 230 | I have founde you true herebefore. | |
| FELAWSHIP. And so ye shall evermore. | ||
| For, in faith, and thou go to hell, | even if | |
| I will not forsake the[e] by the waye. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Ye speke like a good frende! I bileve you well | ||
| I shall deserve it, and I maye. | repay/if | |
| FELAWSHIP. I speke of no deservinge, by this daye! | ||
| For he that will saye, and nothinge do, | ||
| Is not worthy with good company to go. | ||
| Therfore shewe me the grefe of your minde, | ||
| 240 | As to your frende moost lovinge and kinde. | |
| EVERYMAN. I shall shewe you how it is: | ||
| Commaunded I am to go a journaye - | ||
| A longe waye, harde, and daungerous - | ||
| And give a straite counte, without delaye, | strict account | |
| Before the hye Juge, Adonai. | (a Hebrew name for God) | |
| Wherfore, I pray you, bere me company, | ||
| As ye have promised, in this journaye. | ||
| FELAWSHIP. That is mater indede! Promise is duty; | a serious business | |
| But, and I sholde take suche a vyage on me, | if | |
| 250 | I knowe it well, it sholde be to my paine. | |
| Also it make[th] me aferde, certaine. | ||
| But let us take counsell here, as well as we can, | let's deliberate | |
| For your wordes wolde fere a stronge man. | frighten | |
| EVERYMAN. Why, ye said if I had nede | ||
| Ye wolde me never forsake, quicke ne deed, | alive nor dead | |
| Thoughe it were to hell, truely. | ||
| FELAWSHIP. So I said, certainely, | ||
| 258 | But suche pleasures be set aside, the sothe to saye. | |
| And also, if we toke suche a journaye, | ||
| Whan sholde we againe come? | ||
| EVERYMAN. Naye, never againe, till the daye of dome. | doom | |
| FELAWSHIP. In faith, than will not I come there! | ||
| Who hath you these tidinges brought? | ||
| EVERYMAN. Indede, Deth was with me here. | ||
| FELAWSHIP. Now, by God that all hathe bought, | redeemed | |
| If Deth were the messenger, | ||
| For no man that is livinge todaye | ||
| I will not go that lothe journaye - | loathsome | |
| Not for the fader that bigate me! | begat | |
| EVERYMAN. Ye promised otherwise, pardé. | by God | |
| FELAWSHIP. I wote well I sai[d] so, truely. | ||
| And yet, if thou wilte ete, and drinke, and make good chere, | ||
| 273 | Or haunt to women the lusty company, | |
| I wolde not forsake you while the daye is clere, | until dawn | |
| Trust me, verily. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Ye[a], therto ye wolde be redy! | ||
| To go to mirthe, solas, and playe | ||
| Your minde will so[o]ner apply, | attend | |
| Than to bere me company in my longe journaye. | ||
| 280 | FELAWSHIP. Now, in good faith, I will not that waye. | will not (go) |
| But, and thou will murder, or ony man kill, | if | |
| In that I will helpe the[e] with a good will. | ||
| EVERYMAN. O, that is a simple advise, indede. | foolish | |
| Gentill Felaw[ship]e, helpe me in my necessité! | ||
| We have loved longe, and now I nede; | ||
| And now, gentill Felawship, remembre me! | ||
| FELAWSHIP. Wheder ye have loved me or no, | Whether | |
| By Saint Johan, I will not with the[e] go. | ||
| 289 | EVERYMAN. Yet, I pray the[e], take the labour and do so moche for me. | |
| 290 | To bringe me forwarde, for saint charité, | |
| And comforte me till I come without the towne. | arrive outside | |
| FELAWSHIP. Nay, and thou wolde give me a newe gowne, | even if | |
| I will not a fote with the[e] go. | foot | |
| But, and thou had taried, I wolde not have lefte the[e] so. | if/stayed here | |
| And as now God spede the[e] in thy journaye, | And now may God | |
| For from the[fe] I will departe as fast as I maye. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Wheder awaye, Felawship? Will thou forsake me? | Whither | |
| FELAWSHIP. Ye[a], by my faye! To God I betake the[e]. | faith/commend | |
| EVERYMAN. Farewell, good Felawship! For the[e] my herte is sore. | ||
| 300 | Adewe forever! I shall se the[e] no more. | |
| FELAWSHIP. In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the end[ing]e! | ||
| For you I will remembre that partinge is mourninge. [Exit.] | ||
| EVERYMAN. Alacke, shall we thus departe indede - | part | |
| A, Lady, helpe! - without ony more comforte? | ||
| Lo, Felawship forsaketh me in my moost nede. | ||
| For helpe in this worlde wheder shall I resorte? | whither | |
| Felawship herebefore with me wolde mery make, | ||
| And now litell sorowe for me dooth he take. | ||
| It is said, "In prosperité men frendes may finde, | ||
| 310 | Whiche in adversité be full unkinde." | |
| Now wheder for socoure shall I flee, | whither | |
| Sith that Felawship hath forsaken me? | since | |
| To my kinnesmen I will, truely, | ||
| Prayenge them to helpe me in my necessité. | ||
| I bileve that they will do so, | ||
| 316 | For "kinde will crepe where it may not go." | kinship/creep/walk |
| I will go saye, for yonder I se them. | essay, try | |
| Where be ye now, my frendes and kinnesmen? | ||
| [Enter Kindred and Cousin.] | ||
| KINREDE. Here be we now, at your commaundement. | ||
| Cosyn, I praye you shewe us your entent | Cousin (i.e., Everyman) | |
| In ony wise, and not spare. | In everything/do not hesitate | |
| COSYN. Ye[a], Everyman, and to us declare | ||
| If ye be disposed to go ony-whyder; | anywhere | |
| For, wete you well, [we] will live and die togyder. | wit, know | |
| KINREDE. In welth and wo we will with you holde, | keep | |
| For over his kinne a man may be bolde. | For with/may presume favors | |
| EVERYMAN. Gramercy, my frendes and kinnesmen kinde. | ||
| Now shall I shewe you the grefe of my minde: | ||
| I was commaunded by a messenger | ||
| That is a hye kinges chefe officer; | high king's | |
| He bad[e] me go a pilgrimage, to my paine, | ||
| And I knowe well I shall never come againe. | ||
| Also I must give a rekeninge straite | strict | |
| 334 | For I have a grete enemy that hath me in waite. | enemy (the devil) |
| Whiche entendeth me for to hinder. | ||
| KINREDE. What acounte is that whiche ye must render? | ||
| That wolde I knowe. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Of all my workes I must shewe | ||
| How I have lived, and my dayes spent; | ||
| 340 | Also of ill dedes that I have used | practiced |
| In my time, sith life was me lent, | since | |
| And of all vertues that I have refused. | ||
| Therfore, I praye you, go thider with me | ||
| To helpe to make min[e] accounte, for saint charité. | holy | |
| COSYN. What, to go thider? Is that the mater? | ||
| Nay, Everyman, I had lever fast brede and water | rather fast on | |
| All this five yere and more. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Alas that ever I was bore! | born | |
| For now shall I never be mery | ||
| If that you forsake me. | ||
| 351 | KINREDE. A, sir, what ye be a mery man! | |
| Take good herte to you, and make no mone. | moan | |
| But one thinge, I warne you, by Saint Anne: | ||
| As for me, ye shall go alone. | ||
| EVERYMAN. My Cosyn, will you not with me go? | ||
| COSYN. No, by Our Lady! I have the crampe in my to[e]. | ||
| Trust not to me, for, so God me spede, | may God help me | |
| I will deceive you in your moost nede. | ||
| KINREDE. It availeth not us to tise. | It's no use trying to entice us | |
| 360 | Ye shall have my maide with all my herte; | |
| She loveth to go to feestes, there to be nise, | wanton | |
| And to daunce, and abrode to sterte; | to gad about | |
| I will give her leve to helpe you in that journey, | leave, permission | |
| If that you and she may agree. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Now, shewe me the veryeffecte of your minde: | true tenor | |
| Will you go with me, or abide behinde? | ||
| KINREDE. Abide behinde? Ye[a], that will I, and I maye! | ||
| Therfore farewell till another daye. [Exit Kindred.] | ||
| EVERYMAN. Howe sholde I be mery or gladde? | ||
| 370 | For, faire promises men to me make, | |
| But whan I have moost nede they me forsake. | ||
| I am deceived; that maketh me sadde. | ||
| COSYN. Cosyn Everyman, farewell now, | ||
| For verily I will not go with you. | ||
| Also of mine owne [life] an unredy rekeninge | ||
| I have to accounte; therfore I make taryenge. | tarrying | |
| Now God kepe the[e], for now I go. [Exit.] | protect | |
| EVERYMAN. A, Jesus, is all come hereto? | everything come to this | |
| 379 | Lo, faire worries maketh fooles faine; | glad |
| They promise, and nothinge will do, certaine. | ||
| My kinnesmen promised me faithfully | ||
| For to abide with me stedfastly, | ||
| And now fast awaye do they flee; | ||
| Even so Felawship promised me. | in the same way | |
| What frende were best me of to provide? | to provide myself with | |
| I lose my time here longer to abide. | ||
| Yet in my minde a thinge there is: | ||
| All my life I have loved riches. | ||
| If that my Good now helpe me might, | Goods | |
| 390 | He wolde make my herte full light. | |
| I will speke to him in this distresse. | ||
| Where arte thou, my Gooddes and riches? | ||
| [Goods speaks from a corner.] | ||
| GOODES. Who calleth me? Everyman? What, hast thou haste? | ||
| I lie here in corners, trussed and piled so hye, | ||
| And in chestes I am locked so fast, | ||
| Also sacked in bagges. Thou mayst se with thin[e] eye | ||
| I cannot stir[r]e; in packes lowe I lie. | ||
| What wolde ye have? Lightly me saye. | Quickly | |
| EVERYMAN. Come hider, Good, in al the hast[e] thou may, | hither | |
| 400 | For of counseyll I must desire the [e]. | I must ask your advice |
| [Goods approaches.] | ||
| GOODES. Sir, and ye in the worlde have sorowe or adversité, | if | |
| That can I helpe you to remedy shortly. | ||
| EVERYMAN. It is another disease that greveth me; | trouble | |
| In this worlde it is not, I tell the[e] so. | ||
| I am sent for another way to go, | ||
| To give a straite counte generall | strict overall account | |
| Before the hyest Jupiter of all; | ||
| And all my life I have had joye and pleasure in the[e], | ||
| Therfore, I pray the[e], go with me. | ||
| 410 | For, paraventure, thou mayst before God Almighty | |
| My rekeninge helpe to clene and purifye; | ||
| For it is said ever amonge | it is sometimes said | |
| That "money maketh all right that is wronge." | ||
| GOODES. Nay, Everyman, I singe another songe! | ||
| I folowe no man in suche vyages; | ||
| For, and I wente with the[e], | ||
| Thou sholdes[t] fare moche the worse for me. | ||
| For-bicause on me thou did set thy minde | Because | |
| Thy rekeninge I have made blotted and blinde, | flawed and obscure | |
| That thine accounte thou cannot make truly - | ||
| 421 | And that hast thou for the love of me! | |
| EVERYMAN. That wolde greve me full sore, | ||
| 423 | Whan I sholde come to that ferefull answere. | |
| Up, let us go thider togyder. | ||
| GOODES. Nay, not so! I am to[o] britell, I may not endure. | britlle | |
| I will folowe [no] man one fote, be ye sure. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Alas, I have the[e] loved, and had grete pleasure | ||
| All my life-dayes on good and treasure! | ||
| GOODES. That is to thy dampnacion, without lesinge, | without a lie, truly | |
| 430 | For my love is contrary to the love everlastinge. | |
| But, if thou had me loved moderately duringe, | during (your life) | |
| As to the poore [to] give parte of me, | (So) as | |
| Than sholdest thou not in this dolour be, | ||
| Nor in this grete sorowe and care. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Lo, now was I deceived or I was ware, | ere/aware | |
| 436 | And all I may wite mi[s]spendinge of time! | totally I may blame |
| GOOODES. (What, wenest thou that I am thine?) | ||
| EVERYMAN. I had went so. | weened, supposed | |
| GOODES. Naye, Everyman, I saye no. | ||
| As for a while I was lente the[e]; | ||
| A season thou hast had me in prosperité. | ||
| My condicion is mannes soule to kill; | nature | |
| If I save one, a thousande I do spill. | destroy | |
| Wenest thou that I will folowe the[e]? | ||
| Nay, fro this worlde not, verilé. | (I will) not (go), verily | |
| EVERYMAN. I had wende otherwise. | ||
| GOODES. Therfore to thy soule Good is a thefe; | ||
| For whan thou arte deed, this is my g[u]ise: | ||
| Another to deceive in this same wise | ||
| 450 | As I have done the[e], and all to his soules reprefe | soul's reproof |
| EVERYMAN. O false Good, cursed [may] thou be, | ||
| Thou traitour to God, that hast deceived me | ||
| And caugh[t] me in thy snare! | ||
| GOODES. Mar[r]y, thou brought thyselfe in care, | ||
| Wherof I am [right] gladde; | ||
| I must nedes laugh, I cannot be sadde. | ||
| EVERYMAN. A, Good, thou hast had longe my hertely love! | ||
| I gave the[e] that whiche sholde be the Lordes above. | Lord's | |
| But wilte thou not go with me indede? | ||
| 460 | I praye the[e] trouth to say. | tell (me) the truth |
| GOODES. No, so God me spede! | ||
| Therfore farewell, and have good daye. [Exit.] | ||
| EVERYMAN. O, to whome shall I make my mone | ||
| For to go with me in that hevy journaye? | ||
| First Felawship said he wolde with me gone. | go | |
| His wordes were very pleasaunt and gaye, | ||
| But afterwarde he lefte me alone. | ||
| Than spake I to my kinnesmen, all in dispaire, | ||
| An[d] also they gave me wordes faire - | ||
| 470 | They lacked no faire spekinge, | |
| But all forsoke me in the endinge. | ||
| Than wente I to my Goodes, that I loved best, | ||
| In hope to have comforte; but there had I leest, | ||
| For my Goodes sharpely did me tell/td> | ||
| That he bringeth many into hell. | ||
| Than of myselfe I was ashamed; | ||
| And so I am worthy to be blamed. | ||
| Thus may I well myselfe hate. | ||
| Of whome shall I now counseyll take? | ||
| 480 | I thinke that I shall never spede | |
| Till that I go to my Good Dede. | ||
| But, alas, she is so weke | ||
| That she can nother go nor speke. | neither walk | |
| Yet will I venter on her now. | venture | |
| My Good Dedes, where be you? | ||
| [Good Deeds, speaks from the ground.] | ||
| GOOD DEDES. Here I lie, colde in the grounde. | ||
| Thy sinnes hath me sore bounde. | ||
| That I cannot stere. | Stir | |
| EVERYMAN. O Good Dedes, I stande in fere! | ||
| 490 | I must you pray of counseyll, | |
| For helpe now sholde come right well. | would be very welcome | |
| GOOD DEDES. Everyman, I have understandinge | ||
| That ye be somoned a[c]counte to make | summoned | |
| Before Myssias, of Jherusalem kinge; | Messiah | |
| And you do by me, that journay with you will I take. | If you do as I advise | |
| EVERYMAN. Therfore I come to you my moone to make. | moan | |
| I praye you that ye will go with me. | ||
| GOOD DEDES. I wolde full faine, but I cannot stande, verily. | gladly | |
| EVERYMAN. Why, is there onythinge on you fall? | happened to you | |
| 500 | GOOD DEDES. Ye[a], sir, I may thanke you of all! | |
| If ye had parfitely chered me,thoroughly nurtured me | ||
| Your boke of counte full redy had be. | ||
| [Shows Everyman his Book of Account.] | ||
| Loke, the bokes of your workes and dedes eke! | deeds also | |
| Beholde how they lie under the fete. | ||
| To your soules hevines. | sorrow | |
| EVERYMAN. Our Lorde Jesus helpe me! | ||
| 507 | For one letter here I cannot se. | |
| GOOD DEDES. Here is a blinde rekeninge in time of distres! | obscure | |
| EVERYMAN. Good Dedes, I praye you helpe me in this nede, | ||
| Or elles I am forever dampned indede! | ||
| Therfore helpe me to make [my] rekeninge | ||
| Before the Redemer of all thinge, | ||
| That kinge is, and was, and ever shall. | shall (be) | |
| GOOD DEDES. Everyman, I am sory of your fall, | ||
| And faine wolde I helpe you, and I were able. | if | |
| EVERYMAN. Good Dedes, your counseyll I pray you give me. | ||
| GOOD DEDES. That shall I do, verily. | ||
| Thoughe that on my fete I may not go, | ||
| I have a sister that shall with you also, | ||
| 520 | Called Knowlege, whiche shall with you abide | Knowledge (of one's sins) |
| To helpe you to make that dredefull rekeninge. | ||
| [Enter Knowledge.] | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Everyman, I will go with the[e], and be thy g[u]ide, | ||
| In thy moost nede to go by thy side. | ||
| EVERYMAN. In good condicion I am now in everythinge, | ||
| And am [w]holy content with this good thinge, | ||
| Thanked be God my creature! | creator | |
| GOOD DEDES. And whan [s]he hath brought you there | ||
| Where thou shalte hele the[e] of thy smarte, | pain | |
| Than go you with your rekeninge and your Good Dedes togyder | ||
| 530 | For to make you joyfull at herte | |
| Before the blessyd Trinité. | ||
| EVERYMAN. My Good Dedes, gramercy! | ||
| I am well content, certainly, | ||
| With your wordes swete. | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Now go we togyder lovingly | ||
| To Confession, that clensinge rivere. | ||
| EVERYMAN. For joy I wepe; I wolde we were there! | ||
| But, I pray you, give me cognicion | ||
| Where dwelleth that holy man, Confession? | ||
| 540 | KNOWLEGE. In the hous of salvacion. | i.e., the Church |
| We shall finde him in that place | ||
| That shall us comforte, by Goddes grace. | ||
| [Knowledge leads Everyman to Confession.] | ||
| Lo, this is Confession. Knele downe and aske mercy, | ||
| For he is in good conceite with God Almighty. | high esteem | |
| EVERYMAN [kneeling]. O glorious fountaine, that all unclennes doth clarify, | ||
| Wasshe fro me the spottes of vice unclene, | ||
| That on me no sinne may be sene. | ||
| I come, with Knowlege, for my redemption, | ||
| Redempte with herte and full contricion; | Redeemed by earnestness | |
| 550 | For I am commaunded a pilgrimage to take, | |
| And grete accountes before God to make. | ||
| Now I praye you, Shrifte, moder of salvacion, | Confession | |
| Helpe my Good Dedes for my piteous exclamacion! | in response to | |
| CONFESSION. I knowe your sorowe well, Everyman. | ||
| Bicause with Knowlege ye come to me, | ||
| I will you comforte as well as I can. | ||
| And a precious Jewell I will give the[e] | ||
| Called penaunce, voider of adversité; | expeller | |
| Therwith shall your body chastised be | ||
| 560 | With abstinence and perseveraunce in Goddes service. | |
| [Shows Everyman a knotted scourge.] | whip | |
| Here shall you receive that scourge of me, | ||
| Whiche is penaunce stronge that ye must endure, | ||
| To remembre thy Saviour was scourged for the[e] | ||
| With sharpe scourges, and suffred it patiently; | ||
| So must thou, or thou scape that painful pilgrimage. | ere you escape | |
| Knowlege, kepe him in this vyage, | course | |
| And by that time Good Dedes will be with the[e]. | ||
| But in ony wise be seker of mercy, | sure | |
| For your time draweth fast. And ye will saved be, | draws to a close/If | |
| 570 | Aske God mercy, and he will graunte truely | |
| Whan with the scourge of penaunce man doth him binde, | punishes himself | |
| The oile of forgivenes than shall he finde. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Thanked be God for his gracious werke! | ||
| For now I will my penaunce begin. | ||
| 575 | This hath rejoised and lighted my herte, | lightened |
| 576 | Though the knottes be painful and harde, within. | |
| KNOWLEGE. Everyman, loke your penaunce that ye fulfill, | see to it | |
| What paine that ever it to you be; | No matter how painful | |
| And Knowlege shall give you counseyll at will | readily | |
| How your accounte ye shall make clerely. | ||
| [Everyman makes his confession.] | ||
| EVERYMAN. O eternall God, O hevenly figure, | ||
| O way of rightwisnes, O goodly vision, | ||
| Whiche discended downe in a virgin pure | ||
| Bicause he wolde every man redeme, | ||
| Whiche Adam forfaited by his disobedience: | Which (redemption) | |
| O blessid Godheed, electe and hye devine, | exalted/divinity | |
| Forgive [me] my grevous offence! | ||
| Here I crye the[e] mercy in this presence. | company | |
| O ghostly treasure, O raunsomer and redemer, | spiritual | |
| 590 | Of all the worlde hope and conduiter, | conductor, guide |
| Mirrour of joye, foundatour of mercy, | founder | |
| Whiche enlumineth heven and erth therby: | illumines | |
| Here my clamorous complaint, though it late be, | Hear | |
| Receive my prayers, of thy benignitye! | ||
| Though I be a sinner moost abhominable, | ||
| Yet let my name be writ[t]en in Moyses table. | i.e., as a penitent | |
| O Mary, praye to the Maker of all thinge, | ||
| Me for to helpe at my endinge, | ||
| And save me fro the power of my enemy; | ||
| For Deth assaileth me strongly. | ||
| 601 | And, Lady, that I may by meane of thy prayer | |
| 602 | Of your sones glory to be partinere | |
| 603 | By the meanes of his Passion, I it crave. | |
| I beseche you helpe my soule to save! | ||
| [He rises.] | ||
| Knowlege, give me the scourge of penaunce: | ||
| My flesshe therwith shall give acqueyntaunce. | be acquainted | |
| I will now begin, if God give me grace. | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Everyman, God give you time and space! | opportunity | |
| Thus I bequeth you in the handes of our Saviour. | ||
| 610 | Now may you make your rekeninge sure. | |
| EVERYMAN. In the name of the holy Trinité | ||
| My body sore punisshed shall be. | ||
| [Scourges himself] | ||
| Take this, body, for the sinne of the flesshe! | ||
| Also thou deli[gh]test to go gay and fresshe, | ||
| And in the way of dampnacion thou did me bringe; | ||
| Therfore suffre now strokes of punisshinge. | ||
| Now of penaunce I will wade the water clere, | ||
| To save me from purgatory, that sharpe fire. | ||
| [Good Deeds rises from the ground.] | ||
| GOOD DEDES. I thanke God, now I can walke and go, | ||
| 620 | And am delivered of my sikenesse and wo! | |
| Therfore with Everyman I will go, and not spare: | hold back | |
| His good workes I will helpe him to declare. | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Now, Everyman, be mery and glad! | ||
| Your Good Dedes cometh now; ye may not be sad. | ||
| Now is your Good Dedes [w]hole and sounde, | ||
| Goinge upright upon the grounde. | ||
| EVERYMAN. My herte is light, and shal be evermore. | ||
| Now will I smite faster than I dide before. [Continues to scourge.] | ||
| GOOD DEDES. Everyman, pilgrime, my speciall frende, | ||
| 630 | Blessyd be thou without ende! | |
| For the[e] is preparate the eternall glory. | prepared | |
| Ye have me made [w]hole and sounde, | ||
| Therfore I will bide by the[e] in every stounde. | time of trial | |
| EVERYMAN. Welcome, my Good Dedes! Now I here thy voice, | Now (that) I hear | |
| I wepe for very swetenes of love. | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Be no more sad, but ever rejoice. | ||
| 637 | God seeth thy livinge in his trone above. | |
| Put on this garment to thy behove, | behoof, benefit | |
| Whiche is wette with your teres. | ||
| Or elles before God you may it misse | ||
| Whan ye to your journeys ende come shall. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Gentill Knowlege, what do ye it call? | ||
| KNOWLEGE. It is the garment of sorowe. | ||
| Fro paine it will you borowe. | rescue | |
| Contricion it is, | ||
| That getteth forgivenes; | ||
| It pleaseth God passinge well. | exceedingly | |
| GOOD DEDES. Everyman, will you were it for your hele? | wear/salvation | |
| [Everyman puts on the robe of contrition.] | ||
| EVERYMAN. Now blessyd be Jesu, Maryes sone, | ||
| 650 | For now have I on true contricion. | |
| And lette us go now without taryenge. | tarrying | |
| Good Dedes, have we clere our rekeninge? | ||
| GOOD DEDES. Ye[a], indede, I have [it] here. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Than I trust we nede not fere. | ||
| Now, frendes, let us not parte in twaine. | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Nay, Everyman, that will we not, certaine. | ||
| GOOD DEDES. Yet must thou led[e] with the[e] | ||
| Thre persones of grete might. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Who sholde they be? | ||
| 660 | GOOD DEDES. Discrecion and Strength they hight, | are called |
| And thy Beauté may not abide behinde. | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Also ye must call to minde | ||
| Your Five Wittes as for your counseylours. | ||
| GOOD DEDES. You must have them redy at all houres. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Howe shall I gette them hyder? | hither | |
| KNOWLEGE. You must call them all togyder, | ||
| And they will here you incontinent. | hear/immediately | |
| EVERYMAN. My frendes, come hider and be present, | ||
| Discrecion, Strengthe, my Five Wittes, and Beauté! | ||
| [Enter Discretion, Strength, Five Wits, and Beauty.] | ||
| 670 | BEAUTE. Here at your will we be all redy. | |
| What wolde ye that we sholde do? | ||
| GOOD DEDES. That ye wolde with Everyman go | ||
| And helpe him in his pilgrimage. | ||
| Advise you, will ye with him or not in that vyage? | Consider | |
| STRENGTH. We will bringe him all thyder, | ||
| To his helpe and comforte, ye may bileve me. | ||
| DISCRECION. So will we go with him all togyder. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Almighty God, loved may thou be! | ||
| I give the[e] laude that I have hider brought | praise | |
| 680 | Strength, Discrecion, Beauté and Five Wittes. Lacke I nought. | |
| And my Good Dedes, with Knowlege clere, | ||
| All be in company at my will here. | are together at my command | |
| I desire no more to my besines. | for my purpose | |
| STRENGTH. And I, Strength, will by you stande in distres, | ||
| Though thou wolde in bataile fight on the grounde. | battle | |
| FIVE WITTES. And though it were thrugh the worlde rounde, | i.e., no matter where | |
| We will not departe, for swete ne soure. | i.e., in good times or bad | |
| BEAUTE. No more will I, unto dethes houre, | until | |
| Whatsoever therof befall. | ||
| 690 | DISCRECION. Everyman, advise you first of all: | consider |
| Go with a good advisement and deliberacion. | reflection | |
| We all give you vertuous monicion | i.e., assurance | |
| That all shall be well. | ||
| EVERYMAN. My frendes, harken what I will tell - | ||
| I praye God rewarde you in his heven[ly] sp[h]ere - | ||
| Now herken all that be here, | ||
| For I will make my testament | ||
| Here before you all present: | ||
| In almes halfe my good I will give with my handes twaine | ||
| In the way of charité, with good entent, | ||
| 701 | And the other halfe still shall remaine | |
| 702 | In queth, to be retourned there it ought to be. | bequest/where |
| This I do in despite of the fende of hell, | ||
| To go quite out of his perell | freed from peril of him | |
| Ever after and this daye. | Today and forever | |
| KNOWLEGE. Everyman, herken what I saye: | ||
| Go to Presthode, I you advise, | ||
| And receive of him, in ony wise | without fail | |
| The holy sacrament and ointement togyder. | extreme unction | |
| 710 | Than shortly se ye tourne againe hyder; | return |
| We will all abide you here. | ||
| FIVE WITTES. Ye[a], Everyman, hie you that ye redy were. | hasten to get ready | |
| There is no emperour, kinge, duke, ne baron | ||
| That of God hath commicion | authority | |
| As hath the leest preest in the worlde beinge; | living | |
| For of the blessyd sacramentes pure and benigne | ||
| He bereth the keyes, and therof hath the cure | care, responsibility | |
| For mannes redempcion - it is ever sure - | ||
| Whiche God for our soules medicine | ||
| 720 | Gave us out of his herte with grete paine. | |
| Here in this transitory life, for the[e] and me, | ||
| The blessyd sacramentes seven there be: | ||
| Baptim, confirmation, with preesthode good, | ordination to priesthood | |
| And the sacrament of Goddes precious flesshe and blod, | ||
| Mariage, the holy extreme unccion, and penaunce. | ||
| These seven be good to have in remembraunce, | ||
| Gracious sacramentes of hye devinité. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Faine wolde I receive that holy body, | i.e., the sacrament | |
| And mekely to my ghostly fader I will go. | spiritual father | |
| 730 | FIVE WITTES. Everyman, that is the best that ye can do. | |
| God will you to salvacion bringe, | ||
| For preesthode excedeth all other thinge. | ||
| To us holy Scripture they do teche, | ||
| And converteth man fro sinne, heven to reche. | reach | |
| 735 | God hath to them more power given | |
| 736 | Than to ony aungell that is in heven. | |
| With five wordes he may consecrate | i.e., "Eat, this is my body" | |
| Goddes body in flesshe and blode to make, | ||
| And handeleth his Maker bitwene his hande[s]. | ||
| 740 | The preest bindeth and unhindeth all bandes, | |
| 741 | Bothe in erthe and in heven. | |
| Thou ministres all the sacramentes seven; | administer | |
| Though we kist thy fete, thou were worthy! | ||
| Thou arte [the] surgyon that cureth sinne deedly; | ||
| No remedy we finde under God | ||
| But all onely preesthode. | Except only from | |
| Everyman, God gave preest[s] that dignité, | ||
| And setteth them in his stede amonge us to be. | place | |
| Thus be they above aungelles in degree. | ||
| [Everyman goes to receive the sacrament and extreme unction from the priest, while the others await his return.] | ||
| 750 | KNOWLEGE. If preestes be good, it is so, suerly. | |
| But whan Jesu hanged on the crossc with grete smarte, | pain | |
| There he gave out of his blessyd herte | ||
| The seven sacramentes in grete tourment. | ||
| He solde them not to us, that Lorde omnipotent! | ||
| 755 | Therefore Saint Peter the Apostell dothe saye | |
| That Jesus' curse hath all they | ||
| Whiche God their Saviour do b[u]y or sell, | ||
| 758 | Or they for ony money do take or tell. | |
| Sinfull preestes giveth the sinners example bad: | ||
| 760 | Their children sitteth by other mennes fires, I have harde; | heard |
| And some haunteth womens company | ||
| With unclene life, as lustes of lechery. | ||
| These be with sinne made blinde. | ||
| FIVE WITTES. I trust to God no suche may we finde. | ||
| Therfore let us preesthode honour, | ||
| And folowe their doctrine for our soules socoure. | ||
| We be their shepe, and they shepeherdes be, | ||
| By whome we all be kepte in suerté | safety | |
| Peas, for yonder I se Everyman come, | Silence | |
| 770 | Whiche hath made true satisfaccion. | Who |
| GOOD DEDES. Methinke it is he indede. | ||
| [Everyman returns.] | ||
| EVERYMAN. Now Jesu be your alder spede! | be helper to you all | |
| I have received the sacrament for my redempcion, | ||
| And than mine extreme unccion. | ||
| Blessyd be all they that counseyled me to take it! | ||
| And now, frendes, let us go without longer respite; | ||
| I thanke God that ye have taried so longe. | ||
| Now set eche of you on this rodde your honde, | rood, cross | |
| And shortely folowe me. | quickly | |
| 780 | I go before there I wolde be. God be our g[u]ide! | where I wish to be |
| STRENGTH. Everyman, we will not fro you go | ||
| Till ye have done this vyage longe. | ||
| DISCRECION. I, Discrecion, will bide by you also. | ||
| KNOWLEGE. And though this pilgrimage be never so stronge, | taxing | |
| I will never parte you fro. | from you | |
| Everyman, I will be as sure by the[e] | steadfast at your side | |
| 787 | As ever I dide by Judas Machabee. | |
| [They proceed to Everyman's grave] | ||
| EVERYMAN. Alas, I am so faint I may not stande! | ||
| My limmes under me do folde. | ||
| Frendes, let us not tourne againe to this lande, | ||
| Not for all the worldes golde; | ||
| For into this cave must I crepe | ||
| And tourne to erth, and there to slepe. | ||
| BEAUTÉ. What, into this grave? Alas! | ||
| EVERYMAN. Ye[a], there shall ye consume, more and lesse, | decay everyone | |
| BEAUTÉ. And what, sholde I smoder here? | smother | |
| EVERYMAN. Ye[a], by my faith, and never more appere. | ||
| In this worlde live no more we shall, | ||
| But in heven before the hyest Lorde of all. | ||
| BEAUTÉ. I crosse out all this! Adewe, by Saint Johan! | cancel | |
| 801 | I take my tappe in my lappe and am gone. | flax for spinning |
| EVERYMAN. What, Beauté, whider will ye? | ||
| BEAUTÉ. Peas, I am defe! I loke not behinde me, | Peace, silence | |
| Not and thou woldest give me all the golde in thy chest! | if | |
| [Exit Beauty.] | ||
| EVERYMAN. Alas, wherto may I truste? | ||
| Beauté gothe fast awaye fro me. | ||
| She promised with me to live and die. | ||
| STRENGTH. Everyman, I will the[e] also forsake and denye. | ||
| Thy game liketh me not at all. | pleases | |
| 810 | EVERYMAN. Why than, ye will forsake me all? | |
| Swete Strength, tary a litell space. | while | |
| STRENGTH. Nay, sir, by the rode of grace! | rood, cross | |
| I will hie me from the[e] fast, | ||
| Though thou wepe till thy herte to-brast. | burst in pieces | |
| EVERYMAN. Ye wolde ever bide by me, ye said. | ||
| STRENGTH. Ye[a], I have you ferre inoughe conveyde! | far | |
| Ye be olde inoughe, I understande, | ||
| Your pilgrimage to take on hande. | ||
| I repent me that I hider came. | ||
| 820 | EVERYMAN. Strength, you to displease I am to blame, | |
| Yet promise is dette, this ye well wot. | ||
| STRENGTH. In faith, I care not. | ||
| Thou arte but a foole to complaine. | ||
| You spende your speche, and wast[e] your braine. | spend (in vain) | |
| Go thrist the[e] into the grounde! [Exit.] | thrust yourself | |
| EVERYMAN. I had wende surer I sholde you have founde. | weened, supposed | |
| He that trusteth in his Strength | ||
| She him deceiveth at the length. | ||
|  Bothe Strength and Beauté forsaketh me,; | ||
| 830 | Yet they promised me faire and lovingly. | |
| DISCRECION. Everyman, I will after Strength be gone. | ||
| As for me, I will leve you alone. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Why, Discrecion, will ye forsake me? | ||
| DISCRECION. Ye[a], in faith, I will go fro the[e], | ||
| For whan Strength goth before | ||
| I folowe after evermore. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Yet, I pray the[e], for the love of the Trinité, | ||
| Loke in my grave ones piteously! | once | |
| DISCRECION. Nay, so nye will I not come. | ||
| 840 | Farewell, everychone! [Exit Discretion.] | everyone |
| EVERYMAN. O, all thinge faileth, save God alone - | ||
| Beauté, Strength, and Discrecion; | ||
| For whan Deth bloweth his blast | ||
| They all renne fro me full fast. | ||
| FIVE WITTES. Everyman, my leve now of the[e] I take. | ||
| I will folowe the other, for here I the[e] forsake. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Alas, than may I waile and wepe! | ||
| For I toke you for my best frende. | ||
| FIVE WITTES. I will no lenger the[e] kepe. | guard | |
| 850 | Now farewell, and there an ende. [Exit Five Wits.] | |
| EVERYMAN. O Jesu, helpe! All hath forsaken me. | ||
| GOOD DEDES. Nay, Everyman, I will bide with the[e]. | ||
| I will not forsake the[e] indede; | ||
| Thou shalte finde me a good frende at nede. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Gramercy, Good Dedes! Now may I true frendes se. | ||
| They have forsaken me, everychone; | ||
| I loved them better than my Good Dedes alone. | ||
| Knowlege, will ye forsake me also? | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Ye[a], Everyman, whan ye to Deth shall go; | ||
| 860 | But not yet, for no maner of daunger. | |
| EVERYMAN. Gramercy, Knowlege, with all my herte! | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Nay, yet I will not from hens departe | ||
| Till I se where ye shall be come. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Methinke, alas, that I must be gone | ||
| To make my rekeninge and my dettes paye, | ||
| For I se my time is nye spent awaye. | ||
| Take example, all ye that this do here or se, | hear | |
| How they that I love[d] best do forsake me | ||
| Excepte my Good Dedes, that, bideth truely. | ||
| 870 | GOOD DEDES. All erthly thinges is but vanité: | |
| Beauté, Strength, and Discrecion do man forsake, | ||
| Folisshe frendes, and kinnesmen, that faire spake - | ||
| All fleeth save Good Dedes, and that am I. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Have mercy on me, God moost mighty, | ||
| And stande by me, thou moder and maide, Holy Mary! | ||
| GOOD DEDES. Fere not; I will speke for the[e]. | ||
| EVERYMAN. Here I crye God mercy! | ||
| GOOD DEDES. Shorte our ende, and minisshe our paine; | Shorten/diminish | |
| Let us go and never come againe. | ||
| 880 | EVERYMAN. Into thy handes, Lorde, my soule I commende. | |
| Receive it, Lorde, that it be not lost. | ||
| As thou me boughtest, so me defende, | redeemed | |
| And save me from the fendes boost, | fiend's | |
| That I may appere with that blessyd hoost | ||
| That shall be saved at the day of dome. | ||
| 886 | In manus tuas, of mightes moost | |
| 887 | Forever, commendo spiritum meum! | |
| [Everyman and Good Deeds descend into the grave.] | ||
| KNOWLEGE. Now hath he suffred that we all shall endure. | that which | |
| The Good Dedes shall make all sure. | ||
| 890 | Now hath he made endinge. | |
| Methinketh that I here aungelles singe, | hear | |
| And make grete joy and melody | ||
| Where Everymannes soule received shall be. | ||
| THE AUNGELL [above, or within]. Come, excellente electe spouse to Jesu! | bride | |
| Here-above thou shalte go, | ||
| Bicause of thy singuler yertue. | ||
| Now thy soule is taken thy body fro, | ||
| Thy rekeninge is crystall clere. | ||
| Now shalte thou into the hevenly sp[h]ere, | ||
| 900 | Unto the whiche all ye shall come | |
| That liveth well before the daye of dome. | ||
| [Enter doctor as epilogue.] | learned cleric | |
| DOCTOUR. This morall men may have in minde. | ||
| Ye herers, take it of worth, olde and yonge, | prize it highly | |
| And forsake Pride, for he deceiveth you in the ende. | ||
| And remembre Beauté, Five Wittes, Strength, and Di[s]crecion, | ||
| They all at the last do every man forsake, | ||
| Save his Good Dedes there dothe he take. | Unless | |
| But beware; [for], and they be small, | if | |
| Before God he hath no helpe at all. | ||
| 910 | None excuse may be there for every man. | |
| Alas, how shall he do than? | ||
| For, after dethe, amendes may no man make, | ||
| For than mercy and pité doth him forsake. | ||
| If his rekeninge be not clere whan he doth come, | ||
| 915 | God will saye: "Ite, maledicti, in ignem aeternum!" | |
| And he that hath his accounte [w]hole and sounde, | ||
| Hye in heven he shall be crounde. | ||
| Unto whiche place God bringe us all thyder, | ||
| That we may live body and soule togyder. | ||
| 920 | Therto helpe, the Trinité! | |
| Amen, saye ye, for saint Charite. | holy | |
| Finis. | ||
| Thus endeth this morall playe of Everyman. | ||
| Imprinted at London in Poules | ||
| Chyrche yarde by me | ||
| Johan Skot. | ||