The Summoning of Everyman Summoning of Everyman The EMOTHE0460

Messenger

I pray you all give your audience

And hear this matter with reverence,

By figure, a moral play:

The Summoning of Everyman called it is,

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That of our lives and ending shows

How transitory we be all day.

This matter is wondrous precious,

But the intent of it is more gracious

And sweet to bear away.

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The story saith: Man, in the beginning

Look well and take good heed to the ending,

Be you never so gay!

Ye think sin in the beginning full sweet,

Which in the end causeth the soul to weep

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When the body lieth in clay.

Here shall you see how fellowship and jollity,

Both strength, pleasure, and beauty,

Will fade from thee as flower in May;

For ye shall hear how our Heaven King

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Calleth Everyman to a general reckoning.

Give audience and hear what he doth say.

[God]

I perceive, here in my majesty,

How that all creatures be to me unkind,

Living without dread in worldly prosperity.

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Of ghostly sight the people be so blind,

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

In worldly riches is all their mind;

They fear not my righteousness, the sharp rod.

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

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They forget clean, and shedding of my blood red.

I hanged between two, it cannot be denied;

To get them life I suffered to be dead;

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

I could do no more than I did, truly;

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And now I see the people do clean forsake me.

They use the seven deadly sins damnable,

As pride, covetise, wrath, and lechery

Now in the world be made commendable;

And thus they leave of angels the heavenly company.

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Every man liveth so after his own pleasure,

And yet of their life they be nothing sure.

I see the more that I them forbear

The worse they be from year to year.

All that liveth appaireth fast.

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Therefore I will, in all the haste,

Have a reckoning of every man's person.

For, an I leave the people thus alone

In their life and wicked tempests,

Verily they will become much worse than beasts,

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For now one would by envy another up eat:

Charity they do all clean forget.

I hoped well that every man

In my glory should make his mansion,

And thereto I had them all elect.

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But now I see, like traitors deject,

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

Nor yet for their being that I them have lent.

I proffered the people great multitude of mercy,

And few there be that asketh it heartily.

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They be so cumbered with worldly riches

That needs on them I must do justice,

On every man living without fear. —

Where art thou, Death, thou mighty messenger?

Death

Almighty God, I am here at your will,

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Your commandment to fulfill.

God

Go thou to Everyman

And show him, in my name,

A pilgrimage he must on him take,

Which he in no wise may escape,

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And that he bring with him a sure reckoning

Without delay or any tarrying.

Death

Lord, I will in the world go run over all

And truly outsearch both great and small.

[God withdraws.]

Every man will I beset that liveth beastly

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

He that loveth richesse I will strike with my dart,

His sight to blind, and from heaven to depart

(Except that alms be his good friend)

In hell for to dwell, world without end.

[Enter Everyman at a distance.]

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Lo, yonder I see Everyman walking.

Full little he thinketh on my coming.

His mind is on fleshly lusts and his treasure,

And great pain it shall cause him to endure

Before the Lord Heaven King. —

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Everyman, stand still! Whither art thou going

Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forget?

Everyman

Why askest thou?

Wouldst thou wit?

Death

Yea, sir, I will show you:

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In great haste I am sent to thee

From God, out of his majesty.

Everyman

What, sent to me?

Death

Yea, certainly.

Though thou have forget Him here,

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He thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere,

As, ere we depart, thou shalt know.

Everyman

What desireth God of me?

Death

That shall I show thee:

A reckoning he will needs have

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Without any longer respite.

Everyman

To give a reckoning longer leisure I crave.

This blind matter troubleth my wit.

Death

On thee thou must take a long journey.

Therefore thy book of count with thee thou bring,

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For turn again thou cannot by no way.

And look thou be sure of thy reckoning,

For before God thou shalt answer and show

Thy many bad deeds, and good but a few,

How thou hast spent thy life and in what wise,

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Before the chief Lord of paradise.

Have ado that we were in that way,

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

Everyman

Full unready I am such reckoning to give.

I know thee not. What messenger art thou?

Death

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I am Death, that no man dreadeth,

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

For it is God's commandment

That all to me should be obedient.

Everyman

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

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In thy power it lieth me to save;

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

(Yea, a thousand pound shalt thou have)

An defer this matter till another day.

Death

Everyman, it may not be, by no way.

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I set not by gold, silver, nor richesse,

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

For, an I would receive gifts great,

All the world I might get,

But my custom is clean contrary.

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

Everyman

Alas! Shall I have no longer respite?

I may say Death giveth no warning!

To think on thee it maketh my heart sick,

For all unready is my book of reckoning.

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But twelve year and I might have abiding,

My counting book I would make so clear

That my reckoning I should not need to fear.

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

Spare me till I be provided of remedy.

Death

140

Thee availeth not to cry, weep, and pray,

But haste thee lightly that thou were gone that journey,

And prove thy friends if thou can;

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

And in the world each living creature

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For Adam's sin must die of nature.

Everyman

Death, if I should this pilgrimage take

And my reckoning surely make,

Show me, for saint charity,

Should I not come again shortly?

Death

150

No, Everyman. An thou be once there,

Thou mayst never more come here —

Trust me verily.

Everyman

O gracious God in the high seat celestial,

Have mercy on me in this most need!

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Shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial

Of mine acquaintance that way me to lead?

Death

Yea, if any be so hardy

That would go with thee and bear thee company.

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

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Thy reckoning to give before his presence.

What, weenest thou thy life is given thee,

And thy worldly goods also?

Everyman

I had weened so, verily.

Death

Nay, nay, it was but lent thee.

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For, as soon as thou art go,

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

Even as thou hast done.

Everyman, thou art mad. Thou hast thy wits five

And here on earth will not amend thy life,

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For suddenly I do come.

Everyman

O wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee,

That I might scape this endless sorrow?

Now, gentle Death, spare me till tomorrow,

That I may amend me

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With good advisement.

Death

Nay, thereto I will not consent,

Nor no man will I respite,

But to the heart suddenly I shall smite

Without any advisement.

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And now out of thy sight I will me hie.

See thou make thee ready shortly,

For thou mayst say this is the day

That no man living may scape away.

Everyman

Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep!

185

Now have I no manner of company

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

And also my writing is full unready.

How shall I do now for to excuse me?

I would to God I had never be get!

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To my soul a full great profit it had be,

For now I fear pains huge and great.

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

For though I mourn, it availeth nought.

The day passeth and is almost ago.

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I wot not well what for to do.

To whom were I best my complaint to make?

What an I to Fellowship thereof spake

And showed him of this sudden chance,

For in him is all mine affiance?

200

We have in the world so many a day

Be good friends in sport and play.

[Enter Fellowship at a distance.]

I see him yonder, certainly.

I trust that he will bear me company;

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

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Well met, good Fellowship, and good morrow!

[Fellowship]

Everyman, good morrow, by this day!

Sir, why lookest thou so piteously?

If anything be amiss, I pray thee me say,

That I may help to remedy.

Everyman

210

Yea, good Fellowship, yea,

I am in great jeopardy.

Fellowship

My true friend, show to me your mind.

I will not forsake thee to my life's end

In the way of good company.

Everyman

215

That was well spoken, and lovingly.

Fellowship

Sir, I must needs know your heaviness;

I have pity to see you in any distress.

If any have you wronged, ye shall revenged be,

Though I on the ground be slain for thee,

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Though that I know before that I should die.

Everyman

Verily, Fellowship, gramercy.

Fellowship

Tush, by thy thanks I set not a straw!

Show me your grief and say no more.

Everyman

If I my heart should to you break,

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And then you to turn your mind from me

And would not me comfort when ye hear me speak,

Then should I ten times sorrier be.

Fellowship

Sir, I say as I will do, indeed.

Everyman

Then be you a good friend at need.

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I have found you true herebefore.

Fellowship

And so ye shall evermore.

For, in faith, an thou go to hell,

I will not forsake thee by the way.

Everyman

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

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I shall deserve it, an I may.

Fellowship

I speak of no deserving, by this day!

For he that will say and nothing do

Is not worthy with good company to go.

Therefore show me the grief of your mind

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As to your friend most loving and kind.

Everyman

I shall show you how it is:

Commanded I am to go a journey,

A long way, hard, and dangerous,

And give a strait count, without delay,

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Before the high Judge, Adonai.

Wherefore, I pray you, bear me company,

As ye have promised, in this journey.

Fellowship

That is matter indeed! Promise is duty;

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

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

Also it maketh me afeard, certain.

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

For your words would fear a strong man.

Everyman

Why, ye said if I had need

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Ye would me never forsake, quick ne dead,

Though it were to hell, truly.

Fellowship

So I said, certainly,

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

And also, if we took such a journey,

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When should we come again?

Everyman

Nay, never again, till the day of doom.

Fellowship

In faith, then will not I come there!

Who hath you these tidings brought?

Everyman

Indeed, Death was with me here.

Fellowship

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Now, by God that all hath bought,

If Death were the messenger,

For no man that is living today

I will not go that loath journey —

Not for the father that begat me!

Everyman

270

Ye promised otherwise, pardie.

Fellowship

I wot well I said so, truly.

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

Or haunt to women the lusty company,

I would not forsake you while the day is clear.

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Trust me, verily.

Everyman

Yea, thereto ye would be ready!

To go to mirth, solace, and play

Your mind will sooner apply,

Than to bear me company in my long journey.

Fellowship

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

But, an thou will murder or any man kill,

In that I will help thee with a good will.

Everyman

Oh, that is a simple advice, indeed!

Gentle fellow, help me in my necessity.

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We have loved long, and now I need;

And now, gentle Fellowship, remember me!

Fellowship

Whether ye have loved me or no,

By Saint Johan, I will not with thee go.

Everyman

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

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To bring me forward, for saint charity,

And comfort me till I come without the town.

Fellowship

Nay, an thou would give me a new gown,

I will not a foot with thee go.

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

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

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

Everyman

Whither away, Fellowship? Will thou forsake me?

Fellowship

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

Everyman

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

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Adieu forever! I shall see thee no more.

Fellowship

In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the ending.

For you I will remember that parting is mourning.

Everyman

Alack! Shall we thus depart indeed

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

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Lo, Fellowship forsaketh me in my most need.

For help in this world whither shall I resort?

Fellowship herebefore with me would merry make,

And now little sorrow for me doth he take.

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

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Which in adversity be full unkind".

Now whither for succor shall I flee,

Sith that Fellowship hath forsaken me?

To my kinsmen I will, truly,

Praying them to help me in my necessity.

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I believe that they will do so,

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

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

Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen?

Kindred

Here be we now at your commandment.

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Cousin, I pray you show us your intent

In any wise, and not spare.

Cousin

Yea, Everyman, and to us declare

If ye be disposed to go any whither;

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

Kindred

325

In wealth and woe we will with you hold,

For over his kin a man may be bold.

Everyman

Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind.

Now shall I show you the grief of my mind:

I was commanded by a messenger

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That is a high king's chief officer;

He bade me go a pilgrimage, to my pain,

And I know well I shall never come again.

Also I must give a reckoning straight,

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

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Which intendeth me for to hinder.

Kindred

What account is that which ye must render?

That would I know.

Everyman

Of all my works I must show

How I have lived, and my days spent;

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Also of ill deeds that I have used

In my time, sith life was me lent,

And of all virtues that I have refused.

Therefore, I pray you, go thither with me

To help to make mine account, for saint charity.

Cousin

345

What, to go thither? Is that the matter?

Nay, Everyman, I had liefer fast bread and water

All this five year and more.

Everyman

Alas, that ever I was bore!

For now shall I never be merry

350

If that you forsake me.

Kindred

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

Take good heart to you and make no moan.

But one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne:

As for me, ye shall go alone.

Everyman

355

My Cousin, will you not with me go?

Cousin

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

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

I will deceive you in your most need.

Kindred

It availeth not us to tice.

360

Ye shall have my maid with all my heart;

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

And to dance, and abroad to start.

I will give her leave to help you in that journey

If that you and she may agree.

Everyman

365

Now, show me the very affect of your mind:

Will you go with me or abide behind?

Kindred

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

Therefore farewell till another day.

Everyman

How should I be merry or glad?

370

For fair promises men to me make,

But when I have most need they me forsake.

I am deceived; that maketh me sad.

Cousin

Cousin Everyman, farewell now,

For verily I will not go with you.

375

Also of mine own life an unready reckoning

I have to account; therefore I make tarrying.

Now God keep thee, for now I go.

Everyman

Ah, Jesus, is all come hereto?

Lo, fair words maketh fools fain;

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They promise and nothing will do, certain.

My kinsmen promised me faithfully

For to abide with me steadfastly,

And now fast away do they flee;

Even so Fellowship promised me.

385

What friend were best me of to provide?

I lose my time here longer to abide.

Yet in my mind a thing there is:

All my life I have loved riches;

If that my Good now help me might,

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He would make my heart full light.

I will speak to him in this distress. —

Where art thou, my Goods and riches?

Goods

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

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

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And in chests I am locked so fast,

Also sacked in bags. Thou mayst see with thine eye

I cannot stir; in packs low I lie.

What would ye have? Lightly me say.

Everyman

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

400

For of counsel I must desire thee.

Goods

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

That can I help you to remedy shortly.

Everyman

It is another disease that grieveth me;

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

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I am sent for another way to go,

To give a strait count general

Before the highest Jupiter of all;

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

Therefore, I pray thee, go with me.

410

For, peradventure, thou mayst before God almighty

My reckoning help to clean and purify;

For it is said ever among

That "money maketh all right that is wrong".

Goods

Nay, Everyman, I sing another song.

415

I follow no man in such voyages.

For, an I went with thee,

Thou shouldest fare much the worse for me.

For, because on me thou did set thy mind,

Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind,

420

That thine account thou cannot make truly —

And that hast thou for the love of me!

Everyman

That would grieve me full sore

When I should come to that fearful answer.

Up, let us go thither together.

Goods

425

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

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

Everyman

Alas, I have thee loved, and had great pleasure

All my life days on good and treasure!

Goods

That is to thy damnation, without leasing,

430

For my love is contrary to the love everlasting.

But, if thou had me loved moderately during,

As to the poor give part of me,

Then shouldest thou not in this dolor be,

Nor in this great sorrow and care.

Everyman

435

Lo, now was I deceived ere I was ware,

And all I may wite misspending of time!

Goods

What, weenest thou that I am thine?

Everyman

I had weened so.

Goods

Nay, Everyman, I say no,

440

As for a while I was lent thee:

A season thou hast had me in prosperity.

My condition is man's soul to kill;

If I save one, a thousand I do spill.

Weenest thou that I will follow thee?

445

Nay, from this world not, verily.

Everyman

I had weened otherwise.

Goods

Therefore to thy soul Good is a thief,

For when thou art dead, this is my guise:

Another to deceive in this same wise

450

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

Everyman

O false Good, cursed thou be,

Thou traitor to God, that hast deceived me

And caught me in thy snare!

Goods

Marry, thou brought thyself in care,

455

Whereof I am glad.

I must needs laugh, I cannot be sad.

Everyman

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

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

But wilt thou not go with me indeed?

460

I pray thee truth to say.

Goods

No, so God me speed!

Therefore farewell, and have good day.

Everyman

Oh, to whom shall I make my moan

For to go with me in that heavy journey?

465

First Fellowship said he would with me gone

(His words were very pleasant and gay),

But afterward he left me alone.

Then spake I to my kinsmen, all in despair,

And also they gave me words fair.

470

They lacked no fair speaking,

But all forsook me in the ending.

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

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

For my Goods sharply did me tell

475

That he bringeth many into hell.

Then of myself I was ashamed,

And so I am worthy to be blamed.

Thus may I well myself hate.

Of whom shall I now counsel take?

480

I think that I shall never speed

Till that I go to my Good Deed.

But, alas, she is so weak

That she can neither go nor speak.

Yet will I venture on her now. —

485

My Good Deeds, where be you?

Good Deeds

Here I lie, cold in the ground.

Thy sins hath me sore bound,

That I cannot stir.

Everyman

Oh, Good Deeds, I stand in fear!

490

I must you pray of counsel,

For help now should come right well.

Good Deeds

Everyman, I have understanding

That ye be summoned a count to make

Before Messiahs, of Jerusalem King.

495

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

Everyman

Therefore I come to you my moan to make.

I pray you that ye will go with me.

Good Deeds

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

Everyman

Why, is there anything on you fall?

Good Deeds

500

Yea, sir, I may thank you of all!

If ye had perfectly cheered me,

Your Book of Count full ready had be.

[Good Deeds shows Everyman his Book of Account.]

Look, the books of your works and deeds eke!

Ah, see how they lie under the feet

505

To your soul's heaviness!

Everyman

Our Lord Jesus help me!

For one letter here I cannot see.

Good Deeds

There is a blind reckoning in time of distress!

Everyman

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

510

Or else I am forever damned indeed.

Therefore help me to make my reckoning

Before the Redeemer of all thing,

That king is, and was, and ever shall.

Good Deeds

Everyman, I am sorry of your fall,

515

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

Everyman

Good Deeds, your counsel I pray you give me.

Good Deeds

That shall I do, verily.

Though that on my feet I may not go,

I have a sister that shall with you also,

520

Called Knowledge, which shall with you abide

To help you to make that dreadful reckoning.

Knowledge

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

In thy most need to go by thy side.

Everyman

In good condition I am now in everything,

525

And am whole content with this good thing,

Thanked be God my creator!

Good Deeds

And when she hath brought you there

Where thou shalt heal thee of thy smart,

Then go you with your reckoning and your Good Deeds together

530

For to make you joyful at heart

Before the blessed Trinity.

Everyman

My Good Deeds, gramercy!

I am well content, certainly,

With your words sweet.

Knowledge

535

Now go we together lovingly

To Confession, that cleansing river.

Everyman

For joy I weep! I would we were there!

But, I pray you, give me cognition

Where dwelleth that holy man, Confession?

Knowledge

540

In the house of salvation.

We shall find him in that place

That shall us comfort, by God's grace.

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

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

For he is in good conceit with God almighty.

Everyman

545

[Kneeling]

O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify,

Wash from me the spots of vices unclean,

That on me no sin may be seen!

I come with Knowledge for my redemption,

Redeemed with heart and full contrition;

550

For I am commanded a pilgrimage to take

And great accounts before God to make.

Now I pray you, Shrift, mother of salvation,

Help my Good Deeds for my piteous exclamation.

Confession

I know your sorrow well, Everyman.

555

Because with Knowledge ye come to me,

I will you comfort as well as I can,

And a precious jewel I will give thee

Called penance, voider of adversity.

Therewith shall your body chastised be

560

With abstinence and perseverance in God's service.

Here shall you receive that scourge of me,

[Confession shows Everyman a knotted scourge.]

Which is penance strong that ye must endure,

To remember thy Savior was scourged for thee

With sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently.

565

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

Knowledge, keep him in this voyage,

[Confession gives the knotted scourge to Knowledge.]

And by that time Good Deeds will be with thee.

[to Everyman]

But, in any wise, be seeker of mercy,

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

570

Ask God mercy and He will grant truly.

When with the scourge of penance man doth him bind,

The oil of forgiveness then shall he find.

Everyman

Thanked be God for His gracious work!

For now I will my penance begin.

575

This hath rejoiced and lighted my heart,

Though the knots be painful and hard within.

Knowledge

Everyman, look your penance that ye fulfill,

What pain that ever it to you be,

And Knowledge shall give you counsel at will

580

How your account ye shall make clearly.

Everyman

O eternal God, O heavenly figure,

O way of righteousness, O goodly vision,

Which descended down in a virgin pure

Because he would every man redeem,

585

Which Adam forfeited by his disobedience!

O blessed Godhead elect and high divine,

Forgive me my grievous offense!

Here I cry thee mercy in this presence.

O ghostly treasure, O ransomer and redeemer,

590

Of all the world hope and conductor,

Mirror of joy, foundator of mercy,

Which enlumineth heaven and earth thereby,

Hear my clamorous complaint, though it late be;

Receive my prayers unworthy in this heavy life!

595

Though I be a sinner most abominable,

Yet let my name be written in Moses' table.

O Mary, pray to the Maker of all thing

Me for to help at my ending,

And save me from the power of my enemy,

600

For Death assaileth me strongly.

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

Of your son's glory to be partner,

By the means of His passion, I it crave.

I beseech you help me my soul to save. —

[He rises.]

605

Knowledge, give me the scourge of penance.

[He takes the knotted scourge.]

My flesh therewith shall give a quittance.

I will now begin, if God give me grace.

Knowledge

Everyman, God give you time and space.

Thus I bequeath you in the hands of our Savior.

610

Now may you make your reckoning sure.

Everyman

In the name of the Holy Trinity,

My body sore punished shall be.

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

[He scourges himself.]

Also thou delightest to go gay and fresh,

615

And in the way of damnation thou did me bring;

Therefore suffer now strokes of punishing.

Now of penance I will wade the water clear,

To save me from purgatory, that sharp fire.

Good Deeds

I thank God, now I can walk and go,

620

And am delivered of my sickness and woe.

Therefore with Everyman I will go and not spare;

His good works I will help him to declare.

Knowledge

Now, Everyman, be merry and glad.

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

625

Now is your Good Deeds whole and sound,

Going upright upon the ground.

Everyman

My heart is light and shall be evermore.

Now will I smite faster than I did before.

Good Deeds

Everyman, pilgrim, my special friend,

630

Blessed be thou without end!

For thee is preparate the eternal glory.

Ye have me made whole and sound;

Therefore I will bide by thee in every stound.

Everyman

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

635

I weep for very sweetness of love.

Knowledge

Be no more sad, but ever rejoice.

God seeth thy living in his throne above.

Put on this garment to thy behoof,

Which is wet with your tears,

640

Or else before God you may it miss

When ye to your journey's end come shall.

Everyman

Gentle Knowledge, what do ye it call?

Knowledge

It is a garment of sorrow.

[He offers a garment.]

From pain it will you borrow.

645

Contrition it is,

That getteth forgiveness.

It pleaseth God passing well.

Good Deeds

Everyman, will you wear it for your heal?

Everyman

Now blessed be Jesu, Mary's son,

650

For now have I on true contrition.

And let us go now without tarrying.

Good Deeds, have we clear our reckoning?

Good Deeds

Yea, indeed, I have it here.

Everyman

Then I trust we need not fear.

655

Now, friends, let us not part in twain.

Knowledge

Nay, Everyman, that will we not, certain.

Good Deeds

Yet must thou lead with thee

Three persons of great might.

Everyman

Who should they be?

Good Deeds

660

Discretion and Strength they hight,

And thy Beauty may not abide behind.

Knowledge

Also, ye must call to mind

Your Five Wits as for your counselors.

Good Deeds

You must have them ready at all hours.

Everyman

665

How shall I get them hither?

Knowledge

You must call them all together,

And they will hear you incontinent.

Everyman

My friends, come hither and be present,

Discretion, Strength, my Five Wits, and Beauty!

Beauty

670

Here at your will we be all ready.

What would ye that we should do?

Good Deeds

That ye would with Everyman go

And help him in his pilgrimage.

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

Strength

675

We will bring him all thither

To his help and comfort, ye may believe me.

Discretion

So will we go with him all together.

Everyman

Almighty God, loved might thou be!

I give thee laud that I have hither brought

680

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

And my Good Deeds, with Knowledge clear;

All be in my company at my will here.

I desire no more to my business.

Strength

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

685

Though thou would in battle fight on the ground.

Five Wits

And though it were through the world round,

We will not depart, for sweet ne sour.

Beauty

No more will I unto Death's hour,

Whatsoever thereof befall.

Discretion

690

Everyman, advise you first of all;

Go with a good advisement and deliberation.

We all give you virtuous monition

That all shall be well.

Everyman

My friends, harken what I will tell.

695

I pray God reward you in his heavenly sphere.

Now hearken all that be here,

For I will make my testament

Here before you all present.

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

700

In the way of charity with good intent,

And the other half still shall remain

In queath, to be returned there it ought to be.

This I do in despite of the fiend of hell,

To go quite out of his peril

705

Ever after and this day.

Knowledge

Everyman, harken what I say:

Go to Priesthood, I you advise,

And receive of him in any wise

The holy sacrament and ointment together.

710

Then shortly see ye turn again hither.

We will all abide you here.

Five Wits

Yea, Everyman, hie you that ye ready were.

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

That of God hath commission

715

As hath the least priest in the world being.

For of the blessed sacraments pure and benign

He beareth the keys and thereof hath the cure

For man's redemption (it is ever sure)

Which God, for our soul's medicine,

720

Gave us out of his heart with great pain.

Here in this transitory life, for thee and me,

The blessed sacraments seven there be:

Baptism, confirmation, with priesthood good,

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

725

Marriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance.

These seven be good to have in remembrance,

Gracious sacraments of high divinity.

Everyman

Fain would I receive that holy body,

And meekly to my ghostly father I will go.

Five Wits

730

Everyman, that is the best that ye can do.

God will you to salvation bring,

For priesthood exceedeth all other thing.

To us Holy Scripture they do teach,

And converteth man from sin, heaven to reach.

735

God hath to them more power given

Than to any angel that is in heaven.

With five words he may consecrate,

God's body in flesh and blood to make,

And handleth his Maker between his hands.

740

The priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands,

Both in earth and in heaven.

Thou ministers all the sacraments seven,

Though we kissed thy feet, thou were worthy;

Thou art the surgeon that cureth sin deadly.

745

No remedy may we find under God,

But all only priesthood.

Everyman, God gave priests that dignity,

And setteth them in his stead among us to be.

Thus be they above angels in degree.

Knowledge

750

If priests be good, it is so, surely.

But when Jesu hanged on the cross with great smart,

There he gave out of his blessed heart

The same sacrament in great torment.

He sold them not to us, that Lord omnipotent.

755

Therefore Saint Peter the Apostle doth say

That Jesu's curse hath all they

Which God their savior do buy or sell,

Or they for any money do take or tell.

Sinful priests giveth the sinners example bad:

760

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

And some haunteth women's company

With unclean life, as lusts of lechery.

These be with sin made blind.

Five Wits

I trust to God no such may we find.

765

Therefore let us priesthood honor

And follow their doctrine for our soul's succor.

We be their sheep, and they shepherds be,

By whom we all be kept in surety.

Peace, for yonder I see Everyman come,

770

Which hath made true satisfaction.

Good Deeds

Methink it is he indeed.

Everyman

Now Jesu be your alder speed!

I have received the sacrament for my redemption

And then mine extreme unction.

775

Blessed be all they that counseled me to take it!

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

I thank God that ye have tarried so long.

Now set each of you on this rood your hand

And shortly follow me.

780

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

Strength

Everyman, we will not from you go

Till ye have done this voyage long.

Discretion

I, Discretion, will bide by you also.

Knowledge

And though this pilgrimage be never so strong,

785

I will never part you fro.

Everyman, I will be as sure by thee

As ever I did by Judas Maccabee.

Everyman

Alas, I am so faint I may not stand.

My limbs under me do fold.

790

Friends, let us not turn again to this land,

Not for all the world's gold;

For into this cave must I creep

And turn to earth, and there to sleep.

Beauty

What, into this grave? Alas!

Everyman

795

Yea, there shall ye consume, more and less.

Beauty

And what, should I smother here?

Everyman

Yea, by my faith, and never more appear.

In this world live no more we shall,

But in heaven before the highest Lord of all.

Beauty

800

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

I take my tap in my lap and am gone!

Everyman

What, Beauty? Whither will ye?

Beauty

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

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

Everyman

805

Alas, whereto may I trust?

Beauty goeth fast away from me.

She promised with me to live and die.

Strength

Everyman, I will thee also forsake and deny.

Thy game liketh me not at all.

Everyman

810

Why, then, ye will forsake me all?

Sweet Strength, tarry a little space.

Strength

Nay, sir, by the rood of grace,

I will hie me from thee fast,

Though thou weep till thy heart to brast.

Everyman

815

Ye would ever bide by me, ye said.

Strength

Yea, I have you far enough conveyed.

Ye be old enough, I understand,

Your pilgrimage to take on hand.

I repent me that I hither came.

Everyman

820

Strength, you to displease I am to blame.

Yet promise is debt: this ye well wot.

Strength

In faith, I care not.

Thou art but a fool to complain.

You spend your speech and waste your brain.

825

Go thrust thee into the ground.

Everyman

I had weened surer I should you have found.

He that trusteth in his Strength

She him deceiveth at the length.

Both Strength and Beauty forsaketh me,

830

Yet they promised me fair and lovingly.

Discretion

Everyman, I will after Strength be gone.

As for me, I will leave you alone.

Everyman

Why, Discretion, will ye forsake me?

Discretion

Yea, in faith, I will go from thee.

835

For when Strength goeth before,

I follow after evermore.

Everyman

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

Look in my grave once piteously!

Discretion

Nay, so nigh will I not come.

840

Farewell everyone!

Everyman

Oh, all thing faileth (save God alone),

Beauty, Strength, and Discretion;

For when Death bloweth his blast,

They all run from me full fast.

Five Wits

845

Everyman, my leave now of thee I take;

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

Everyman

Alas, then may I wail and weep,

For I took you for my best friend.

Five Wits

I will no longer thee keep.

850

Now farewell and there an end.

Everyman

O Jesu, help! All hath forsaken me!

Good Deeds

Nay, Everyman, I will bide with thee.

I will not forsake thee indeed.

Thou shalt find me a good friend at need.

Everyman

855

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

They have forsaken me every one.

I loved them better than my Good Deeds alone.

Knowledge, will ye forsake me also?

Knowledge

Yea, Everyman, when ye to death shall go,

860

But not yet, for no manner of danger.

Everyman

Gramercy, Knowledge, with all my heart.

Knowledge

Nay, yet I will not from hence depart

Till I see where ye shall be come.

Everyman

Methink, alas, that I must be gone

865

To make my reckoning and my debts pay,

For I see my time is nigh spent away.

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

How they that I loved best do forsake me,

Except my Good Deeds, that bideth truly.

Good Deeds

870

All earthly things is but vanity:

Beauty, Strength, and Discretion do man forsake,

Foolish friends and kinsmen that fair spake.

All fleeth save Good Deeds, and that am I.

Everyman

Have mercy on me, God most mighty,

875

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

Good Deeds

Fear not, I will speak for thee.

Everyman

Here I cry God mercy!

Good Deeds

Short our end and minish our pain.

Let us go and never come again.

Everyman

880

Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend.

Receive it, Lord, that it be not lost.

As thou me boughtest, so me defend,

And save me from the fiend's boast,

That I may appear with that blessed host

885

That shall be saved at the day of doom.

In manus tuas, of mights most,

Forever commendo spiritum meum.

Knowledge

Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure.

The Good Deeds shall make all sure.

890

Now hath he made ending.

Methinketh that I hear angels sing

And make great joy and melody

Where Everyman's soul received shall be.

Angel

Come, excellent elect spouse, to Jesu!

895

Here above thou shalt go

Because of thy singular virtue.

Now the soul is taken the body fro,

Thy reckoning is crystal clear.

Now shalt thou into the heavenly sphere,

900

Unto the which all ye shall come

That liveth well before the day of doom.

Doctor

This moral men may have in mind.

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

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

905

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

They all at the last do every man forsake,

Save his Good Deeds there doth he take.

But beware, for, an they be small,

Before God he hath no help at all.

910

None excuse may be there for every man.

Alas, how shall he do then?

For, after death, amends may no man make,

For then mercy and pity doth him forsake.

If his reckoning be not clear when he do come,

915

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

And he that hath his account whole and sound,

High in heaven he shall be crowned;

Unto which place God bring us all thither,

That we may live body and soul together.

920

Thereto help the Trinity!

Amen, say ye, for saint Charity.

The Summoning of Everyman

anonymous

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.