THUS ENDETH THIS MORALL PLAY OF EVERYMAN.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Everyman.<\/i> O, to whom shall I make my moan
\nFor to go with me in that heavy journey?
\nFirst Fellowship<\/i> said he would with me gone;
\nHis words were very pleasant and gay,
\nBut afterward he left me alone.
\nThen spake I to my kinsmen all in despair,
\nAnd also they gave me words fair,
\nThey lacked no fair speaking,
\nBut all forsake me in the ending.
\nThen went I to my Goods<\/i> that I loved best,
\nIn hope to have comfort, but there had I least;
\nFor my Goods<\/i> sharply did me tell
\nThat he bringeth many into hell.
\nThen of myself I was ashamed,
\nAnd so I am worthy to be blamed;
\nThus may I well myself hate.
\nOf whom shall I now counsel take?
\nI think that I shall never speed
\nTill that I go to my Good-Deed<\/i>,
\nBut alas, she is so weak,
\nThat she can neither go nor speak;
\nYet will I venture on her now.–
\nMy Good-Deeds<\/i>, where be you?<\/p>\n
Good-Deeds.<\/i> Here I lie cold in the ground;
\nThy sins hath me sore bound,
\nThat I cannot stir.<\/p>\n
Everyman.<\/i> O, Good-Deeds<\/i>, I stand in fear;
\nI must you pray of counsel,
\nFor help now should come right well.<\/p>\n
Goods-Deeds.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, I have understanding Everyman.<\/i> Therefore I come to you, my moan to make; Good-Deeds.<\/i> I would full fain, but I cannot stand verily.<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Why, is there anything on you fall?<\/p>\n Good-Deeds.<\/i> Yea, sir, I may thank you of all; Everyman.<\/i> Our Lord Jesus<\/i>, help me! Good-Deeds.<\/i> There is a blind reckoning in time of distress!<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Good-Deeds<\/i>, I pray you, help me in this need, Good-Deeds.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, I am sorry of your fall, Everyman.<\/i> Good-Deeds<\/i>, your counsel I pray you give me.<\/p>\n Good-Deeds.<\/i> That shall I do verily; Knowledge.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, I will go with thee, and be thy guide, Everyman.<\/i> In good condition I am now in every thing, Good-Deeds.<\/i> And when he hath brought thee there, Everyman.<\/i> My Good-Deeds<\/i>, gramercy; Knowledge.<\/i> Now go we together lovingly, Everyman.<\/i> For joy I weep; I would we were there; Knowledge.<\/i> In the house of salvation: Everyman.<\/i> O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify, Confession.<\/i> I know your sorrow well, Everyman<\/i>; Everyman.<\/i> Thanked be God for his gracious work! Knowledge.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, look your penance that ye fulfil, Everyman.<\/i> O eternal God, O heavenly figure, Knowledge.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, God give you time and space: Everyman.<\/i> In the name of the Holy Trinity, Good-Deeds.<\/i> I thank God, now I can walk and go; Knowledge.<\/i> Now, Everyman<\/i>, be merry and glad; Everyman.<\/i> My heart is light, and shall be evermore; Good-Deeds.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, pilgrim, my special friend, Everyman.<\/i> Welcome, my Good-Deeds<\/i>; now I hear thy voice, Knowledge.<\/i> Be no more sad, but ever rejoice, Everyman.<\/i> Gentle Knowledge<\/i>, what do you it call?<\/p>\n Knowledge.<\/i> It is a garment of sorrow: Good-Deeds.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, will you wear it for your heal?<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Now blessed be Jesu, Mary’s<\/i> Son! Good-Deeds.<\/i> Yea, indeed I have it here.<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Then I trust we need not fear; Knowledge.<\/i> Nay, Everyman<\/i>, that will we not, certain.<\/p>\n Good-Deeds.<\/i> Yet must thou lead with thee Everyman.<\/i> Who should they be?<\/p>\n Good-Deeds.<\/i> Discretion<\/i> and Strength<\/i> they hight, Knowledge.<\/i> Also ye must call to mind Good-Deeds.<\/i> You must have them ready at all hours.<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> How shall I get them hither?<\/p>\n Knowledge.<\/i> You must call them all together, Everyman.<\/i> My friends, come hither and be present Beauty.<\/i> Here at your will we be all ready. Good-Deeds.<\/i> That ye would with Everyman<\/i> go, Strength.<\/i> We will bring him all thither, Discretion.<\/i> So will we go with him all together.<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Almighty God, loved thou be, Strength.<\/i> And I, Strength<\/i>, will by you stand in distress, Five-wits.<\/i> And though it were through the world round, Beauty.<\/i> No more will I unto death’s hour, Discretion.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, advise you first of all; Everyman.<\/i> My friends, hearken what I will tell: Knowledge.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, hearken what I say; Five-Wits.<\/i> Yea, Everyman<\/i>, hie you that ye ready were, Everyman.<\/i> Fain would I receive that holy body Five-wits.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, that is the best that ye can do: Knowledge.<\/i> If priests be good it is so surely; Five-wits.<\/i> I trust to God no such may we find; Good-Deeds.<\/i> Methinketh it is he indeed.<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Now Jesu be our alder speed.[4]<\/sup><\/a> Strength.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, we will not from you go, Discretion.<\/i> I, Discretion<\/i>, will bide by you also.<\/p>\n Knowledge.<\/i> And though this pilgrimage be never so strong, Everyman.<\/i> Alas, I am so faint I may not stand, Beauty.<\/i> What, into this grave? alas!<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Yea, there shall you consume more and less.<\/p>\n Beauty.<\/i> And what, should I smother here?<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Yea, by my faith, and never more appear. Beauty.<\/i> I cross out all this; adieu by Saint John<\/i>; Everyman.<\/i> What, Beauty<\/i>, whither will ye?<\/p>\n Beauty.<\/i> Peace, I am deaf; I look not behind me, Everyman.<\/i> Alas, whereto may I trust? Strength.<\/i> Everyman<\/i>, I will thee also forsake and deny; Everyman.<\/i> Why, then ye will forsake me all. Strength.<\/i> Nay, sir, by the rood of grace Everyman.<\/i> Ye would ever bide by me, ye said.<\/p>\n Strength.<\/i> Yea, I have you far enough conveyed; Everyman.<\/i> Strength<\/i>, you to displease I am to blame; Strength.<\/i> In faith, I care not; Everyman.<\/i> I had wend surer I should you have found. Discretion. Everyman<\/i>, I will after Strength<\/i> be gone, Everyman.<\/i> Why, Discretion<\/i>, will ye forsake me?<\/p>\n Discretion.<\/i> Yea, in faith, I will go from thee, Everyman.<\/i> Yet, I pray thee, for the love of the Trinity, Discretion.<\/i> Nay, so nigh will I not come. Everyman.<\/i> O all thing faileth, save God alone; Five-wits. Everyman<\/i>, my leave now of thee I take; Everyman.<\/i> Alas! then may I wail and weep, Five-wits.<\/i> I will no longer thee keep; Everyman.<\/i> O Jesu, help, all hath forsaken me!<\/p>\n Good-Deeds.<\/i> Nay, Everyman<\/i>, I will bide with thee, Everyman.<\/i> Gramercy, Good-Deeds<\/i>; now may I true friends see; Knowledge.<\/i> Yea, Everyman<\/i>, when ye to death do go: Everyman.<\/i> Gramercy, Knowledge<\/i>, with all my heart.<\/p>\n Knowledge.<\/i> Nay, yet I will not from hence depart, Everyman.<\/i> Methinketh, alas, that I must be gone, Good-Deeds.<\/i> All earthly things is but vanity: Everyman.<\/i> Have mercy on me, God most mighty; Good-Deeds.<\/i> Fear not, I will speak for thee.<\/p>\n Everyman.<\/i> Here I cry God mercy.<\/p>\n Good-Deeds.<\/i> Short our end, and minish our pain; Everyman.<\/i> Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend; Knowledge.<\/i> Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure; Angel.<\/i> Come, excellent elect spouse to Jesu: Doctor.<\/i> This moral men may have in mind; THUS ENDETH THIS MORALL PLAY OF EVERYMAN.<\/p>\n
\nThat ye be summoned account to make
\nBefore Messias<\/i>, of Jerusalem King;
\nAnd you do by me[1]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0that journey what[2]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0you will I take.<\/p>\n
\nI pray you, that ye will go with me.<\/p>\n
\nIf ye had perfectly cheered me,
\nYour book of account now full ready had be.
\nLook, the books of your works and deeds eke;
\nOh, see how they lie under the feet,
\nTo your soul’s heaviness.<\/p>\n
\nFor one letter here I can not see.<\/p>\n
\nOr else I am for ever damned indeed;
\nTherefore help me to make reckoning
\nBefore the redeemer of all thing,
\nThat king is, and was, and ever shall.<\/p>\n
\nAnd fain would I help you, and I were able.<\/p>\n
\nThough that on my feet I may not go,
\nI have a sister, that shall with you also,
\nCalled Knowledge<\/i>, which shall with you abide,
\nTo help you to make that dreadful reckoning.<\/p>\n
\nIn thy most need to go by thy side.<\/p>\n
\nAnd am wholly content with this good thing;
\nThanked be God my Creator.<\/p>\n
\nWhere thou shalt heal thee of thy smart,
\nThen go you with your reckoning and your Good-Deeds<\/i> together
\nFor to make you joyful at heart
\nBefore the blessed Trinity.<\/p>\n
\nI am well content, certainly,
\nWith your words sweet.<\/p>\n
\nTo Confession<\/i>, that cleansing river.<\/p>\n
\nBut, I pray you, give me cognition
\nWhere dwelleth that holy man, Confession<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\nWe shall find him in that place,
\nThat shall us comfort by God’s grace.
\nLo, this is Confession<\/i>; kneel down and ask mercy,
\nFor he is in good conceit with God almighty.<\/p>\n
\nWash from me the spots of vices unclean,
\nThat on me no sin may be seen;
\nI come with Knowledge<\/i> for my redemption,
\nRepent with hearty and full contrition;
\nFor I am commanded a pilgrimage to take,
\nAnd great accounts before God to make.
\nNow, I pray you, Shrift<\/i>, mother of salvation,
\nHelp my good deeds for my piteous exclamation.<\/p>\n
\nBecause with Knowledge<\/i> ye come to me,
\nI will you comfort as well as I can,
\nAnd a precious jewel I will give thee,
\nCalled penance, wise voider of adversity;
\nTherewith shall your body chastised be,
\nWith abstinence and perseverance in God’s service:
\nHere shall you receive that scourge of me,
\nWhich is penance strong, that ye must endure,
\nTo remember thy Saviour was scourged for thee
\nWith sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently;
\nSo must thou, or thou scape that painful pilgrimage;
\nKnowledge<\/i>, keep him in this voyage,
\nAnd by that time Good-Deeds<\/i> will be with thee.
\nBut in any wise, be sure of mercy,
\nFor your time draweth fast, and ye will saved be;
\nAsk God mercy, and He will grant truly,
\nWhen with the scourge of penance man doth him bind,
\nThe oil of forgiveness then shall he find.<\/p>\n
\nFor now I will my penance begin;
\nThis hath rejoiced and lighted my heart,
\nThough the knots be painful and hard within.<\/p>\n
\nWhat pain that ever it to you be,
\nAnd Knowledge<\/i> shall give you counsel at will,
\nHow your accounts ye shall make clearly.<\/p>\n
\nO way of rightwiseness, O goodly vision,
\nWhich descended down in a virgin pure
\nBecause he would Everyman<\/i> redeem,
\nWhich Adam<\/i> forfeited by his disobedience:
\nO blessed Godhead, elect and high-divine,
\nForgive my grievous offence;
\nHere I cry thee mercy in this presence.
\nO ghostly treasure, O ransomer and redeemer
\nOf all the world, hope and conductor,
\nMirror of joy, and founder of mercy,
\nWhich illumineth heaven and earth thereby,
\nHear my clamorous complaint, though it late be;
\nReceive my prayers; unworthy in this heavy life,
\nThough I be, a sinner most abominable,
\nYet let my name be written in Moses’<\/i> table;
\nO Mary<\/i>, pray to the Maker of all thing,
\nMe for to help at my ending,
\nAnd save me from the power of my enemy,
\nFor Death<\/i> assaileth me strongly;
\nAnd, Lady, that I may by means of thy prayer
\nOf your Son’s glory to be partaker,
\nBy the means of his passion I it crave,
\nI beseech you, help my soul to save.–
\nKnowledge<\/i>, give me the scourge of penance;
\nMy flesh therewith shall give a quittance:
\nI will now begin, if God give me grace.<\/p>\n
\nThus I bequeath you in the hands of our Saviour,
\nThus may you make your reckoning sure.<\/p>\n
\nMy body sore punished shall be:
\nTake this body for the sin of the flesh;
\nAlso thou delightest to go gay and fresh,
\nAnd in the way of damnation thou did me bring;
\nTherefore suffer now strokes and punishing.
\nNow of penance I will wade the water clear,
\nTo save me from purgatory, that sharp fire.<\/p>\n
\nAnd am delivered of my sickness and woe.
\nTherefore with Everyman<\/i> I will go, and not spare;
\nHis good works I will help him to declare.<\/p>\n
\nYour Good-Deeds<\/i> cometh now; ye may not be sad;
\nNow is your Good-Deeds<\/i> whole and sound,
\nGoing upright upon the ground.<\/p>\n
\nNow will I smite faster than I did before.<\/p>\n
\nBlessed be thou without end;
\nFor thee is prepared the eternal glory.
\nYe have me made whole and sound,
\nTherefore I will bide by thee in every stound.[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n
\nI weep for very sweetness of love.<\/p>\n
\nGod seeth thy living in his throne above;
\nPut on this garment to thy behove,
\nWhich is wet with your tears,
\nOr else before God you may it miss,
\nWhen you to your journey’s end come shall.<\/p>\n
\nFrom pain it will you borrow;
\nContrition it is,
\nThat getteth forgiveness;
\nIt pleaseth God passing well.<\/p>\n
\nFor now have I on true contrition.
\nAnd let us go now without tarrying;
\nGood-Deeds<\/i>, have we clear our reckoning?<\/p>\n
\nNow, friends, let us not part in twain.<\/p>\n
\nThree persons of great might.<\/p>\n
\nAnd thy Beauty<\/i> may not abide behind.<\/p>\n
\nYour Five-wits<\/i> as for your counsellors.<\/p>\n
\nAnd they will hear you incontinent.<\/p>\n
\nDiscretion<\/i>, Strength<\/i>, my Five-wits<\/i>, and Beauty<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\nWhat will ye that we should do?<\/p>\n
\nAnd help him in his pilgrimage,
\nAdvise you, will ye with him or not in that voyage?<\/p>\n
\nTo his help and comfort, ye may believe me.<\/p>\n
\nI give thee laud that I have hither brought
\nStrength<\/i>, Discretion<\/i>, Beauty<\/i>, and Five-wits<\/i>; lack I nought;
\nAnd my Good-Deeds<\/i>, with Knowledge<\/i> clear,
\nAll be in my company at my will here;
\nI desire no more to my business.<\/p>\n
\nThough thou would in battle fight on the ground.<\/p>\n
\nWe will not depart for sweet nor sour.<\/p>\n
\nWhatsoever thereof befall.<\/p>\n
\nGo with a good advisement and deliberation;
\nWe all give you virtuous monition
\nThat all shall be well.<\/p>\n
\nI pray God reward you in his heavenly sphere.
\nNow hearken, all that be here,
\nFor I will make my testament
\nHere before you all present.
\nIn alms half my good I will give with my hands twain
\nIn the way of charity, with good intent,
\nAnd the other half still shall remain
\nIn quiet to be returned there it ought to be.
\nThis I do in despite of the fiend of hell
\nTo go quite out of his peril
\nEver after and this day.<\/p>\n
\nGo to priesthood, I you advise,
\nAnd receive of him in any wise
\nThe holy sacrament and ointment together;
\nThen shortly see ye turn again hither;
\nWe will all abide you here.<\/p>\n
\nThere is no emperor, king, duke, ne baron,
\nThat of God hath commission,
\nAs hath the least priest in the world being;
\nFor of the blessed sacraments pure and benign,
\nHe beareth the keys and thereof hath the cure
\nFor man’s redemption, it is ever sure;
\nWhich God for our soul’s medicine
\nGave us out of his heart with great pine;
\nHere in this transitory life, for thee and me
\nThe blessed sacraments seven there be,
\nBaptism, confirmation, with priesthood good,
\nAnd the sacrament of God’s precious flesh and blood,
\nMarriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance;
\nThese seven be good to have in remembrance,
\nGracious sacraments of high divinity.<\/p>\n
\nAnd meekly to my ghostly father I will go.<\/p>\n
\nGod will you to salvation bring,
\nFor priesthood exceedeth all other thing;
\nTo us Holy Scripture they do teach,
\nAnd converteth man from sin heaven to reach;
\nGod hath to them more power given,
\nThan to any angel that is in heaven;
\nWith five words he may consecrate
\nGod’s body in flesh and blood to make,
\nAnd handleth his maker between his hands;
\nThe priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands,
\nBoth in earth and in heaven;
\nThou ministers all the sacraments seven;
\nThough we kissed thy feet thou were worthy;
\nThou art surgeon that cureth sin deadly:
\nNo remedy we find under God
\nBut all only priesthood.
\nEveryman<\/i>, God gave priests that dignity,
\nAnd setteth them in his stead among us to be;
\nThus be they above angels in degree.<\/p>\n
\nBut when Jesus hanged on the cross with great smart
\nThere he gave, out of his blessed heart,
\nThe same sacrament in great torment:
\nHe sold them not to us, that Lord Omnipotent.
\nTherefore Saint Peter the apostle doth say
\nThat Jesu’s curse hath all they
\nWhich God their Saviour do buy or sell,
\nOr they for any money do take or tell.
\nSinful priests giveth the sinners example bad;
\nTheir children sitteth by other men’s fires, I have heard;
\nAnd some haunteth women’s company,
\nWith unclean life, as lusts of lechery
\nThese be with sin made blind.<\/p>\n
\nTherefore let us priesthood honour,
\nAnd follow their doctrine for our souls’ succour;
\nWe be their sheep, and they shepherds be
\nBy whom we all be kept in surety.
\nPeace, for yonder I see Everyman<\/i> come,
\nWhich hath made true satisfaction.<\/p>\n
\nI have received the sacrament for my redemption,
\nAnd then mine extreme unction:
\nBlessed be all they that counselled me to take it!
\nAnd now, friends, let us go without longer respite;
\nI thank God that ye have tarried so long.
\nNow set each of you on this rod your hand,
\nAnd shortly follow me:
\nI go before, there I would be; God be our guide.<\/p>\n
\nTill ye have gone this voyage long.<\/p>\n
\nI will never part you fro:
\nEveryman<\/i>, I will be as sure by thee
\nAs ever I did by Judas Maccabee.<\/p>\n
\nMy limbs under me do fold;
\nFriends, let us not turn again to this land,
\nNot for all the world’s gold,
\nFor into this cave must I creep
\nAnd turn to the earth and there to sleep.<\/p>\n
\nIn this world live no more we shall,
\nBut in heaven before the highest Lord of all.<\/p>\n
\nI take my cap in my lap and am gone.<\/p>\n
\nNot and thou would give me all the gold in thy chest.<\/p>\n
\nBeauty<\/i> goeth fast away hie;
\nShe promised with me to live and die.<\/p>\n
\nThy game liketh me not at all.<\/p>\n
\nSweet Strength<\/i>, tarry a little space.<\/p>\n
\nI will hie me from thee fast,
\nThough thou weep till thy heart brast.<\/p>\n
\nYe be old enough, I understand,
\nYour pilgrimage to take on hand;
\nI repent me that I hither came.<\/p>\n
\nWill you break promise that is debt?<\/p>\n
\nThou art but a fool to complain,
\nYou spend your speech and waste your brain;
\nGo thrust thee into the ground.<\/p>\n
\nHe that trusteth in his Strength<\/i>
\nShe him deceiveth at the length.
\nBoth Strength<\/i> and Beauty<\/i> forsaketh me,
\nYet they promised me fair and lovingly.<\/p>\n
\nAs for me I will leave you alone.<\/p>\n
\nFor when Strength<\/i> goeth before
\nI follow after evermore.<\/p>\n
\nLook in my grave once piteously.<\/p>\n
\nFarewell, every one!<\/p>\n
\nBeauty<\/i>, Strength<\/i>, and Discretion<\/i>;
\nFor when Death<\/i> bloweth his blast,
\nThey all run from me full fast.<\/p>\n
\nI will follow the other, for here I thee forsake.<\/p>\n
\nFor I took you for my best friend.<\/p>\n
\nNow farewell, and there an end.<\/p>\n
\nI will not forsake thee indeed;
\nThou shalt find me a good friend at need.<\/p>\n
\nThey have forsaken me every one;
\nI loved them better than my Good-Deeds<\/i> alone.
\nKnowledge<\/i>, will ye forsake me also?<\/p>\n
\nBut not yet for no manner of danger.<\/p>\n
\nTill I see where ye shall be come.<\/p>\n
\nTo make my reckoning and my debts pay,
\nFor I see my time is nigh spent away.
\nTake example, all ye that this do hear or see,
\nHow they that I loved best do forsake me,
\nExcept my Good-Deeds<\/i> that bideth truly.<\/p>\n
\nBeauty<\/i>, Strength<\/i>, and Discretion<\/i>, do man forsake,
\nFoolish friends and kinsmen, that fair spake,
\nAll fleeth save Good-Deeds<\/i>, and that am I.<\/p>\n
\nAnd stand by me, thou Mother and Maid, holy Mary<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\nLet us go and never come again.<\/p>\n
\nReceive it, Lord, that it be not lost;
\nAs thou me boughtest, so me defend,
\nAnd save me from the fiend’s boast,
\nThat I may appear with that blessed host
\nThat shall be saved at the day of doom.
\nIn manus tuas<\/i>–of might’s most
\nFor ever–commendo spiritum meum<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\nThe Good-Deeds<\/i> shall make all sure.
\nNow hath he made ending;
\nMethinketh that I hear angels sing
\nAnd make great joy and melody,
\nWhere Everyman’s<\/i> soul received shall be.<\/p>\n
\nHereabove thou shalt go
\nBecause of thy singular virtue:
\nNow the soul is taken the body fro;
\nThy reckoning is crystal-clear.
\nNow shalt thou into the heavenly sphere,
\nUnto the which all ye shall come
\nThat liveth well before the day of doom.<\/p>\n
\nYe hearers, take it of worth, old and young,
\nAnd forsake pride, for he deceiveth you in the end,
\nAnd remember Beauty<\/i>, Five-wits<\/i>, Strength<\/i>, and Discretion<\/i>,
\nThey all at the last do Everyman<\/i> forsake,
\nSave his Good-Deeds<\/i>, there doth he take.
\nBut beware, and they be small
\nBefore God, he hath no help at all.
\nNone excuse may be there for Everyman<\/i>:
\nAlas, how shall he do then?
\nFor after death amends may no man make,
\nFor then mercy and pity do him forsake.
\nIf his reckoning be not clear when he do come,
\nGod will say–ite maledicti in ignem \u00e6ternum<\/i>.
\nAnd he that hath his account whole and sound,
\nHigh in heaven he shall be crowned;
\nUnto which place God bring us all thither
\nThat we may live body and soul together.
\nThereto help the Trinity,
\nAmen, say ye, for saint Charity<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t
Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t