english essay

Through an analysis of the literature, provethat the play, Everymanshould be considered a Renaissance play. •Create your argument/analysis through any of the following means:•1. Use of literary devices –symbolism; character analysis; style•2. Use of themes•3. Use of compare/contrast with historical and/or contextual ideas/conceptsThe format for the assignment has been presented to you; now, you will need to decide the method of analysis.

The Literary Analysis
Research Assignment

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Assignment Instructions

• Your paper must follow MLA documentation style.

• It should be 3-4 pages, and no longer than 5 pages (this does NOT include the Works Cited page). In
addition to your primary source, the play, you must use a minimum of two additional, reliable,
credible sources. The primary source is the play, Everyman.

• Use library databases and catalog. Remember that an analysis is NOT a summary. Be prepared to
delve into your chosen topic with the help of critics/academics.

• Review this material for how to write a successful literary analysis.

https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/everyman.asp

https://softchalkcloud.com/lesson/serve/gPd7uEiZc2MXq1/html

Paper Organization

• Section 1. Introduction – State your thesis. What is the question that you are raising? What topic
will you be analyzing in the literature text?
• An introduction must be based on the powerful thesis statement, which is the main argument in your essay.

• Make sure to attract attention from the opening paragraph.
• Involve a hook sentence, referencing the title of the chosen writing piece along with its author, and revealing the purpose of

writing in a clear, concise thesis sentence.
• A good thesis includes at least three subtopics in the order the writer is going to write for the analysis: from the least to most

important.

• Section 2. Summary – Briefly, (one paragraph) summarize the literary text. Assume that the
readers will not have read your selection. Bring the reader up to speed without using the
summary as the basis of your paper.

• Section 3. Analysis – This is the section where you will address your thesis statement or question.
Most of your sources will be cited here. Remember, if the reader may ask, “How did you know
this?” you need to be sure to document your research within every paragraph. The rest of the
essay has a typical academic paper structure.

• Section 4. Conclusion – End your paper by incorporating your opinion. This is the only section in
the paper where you will be able to write in the first person. Sections 1 through 3 must be written
in the third person. Write an impressive conclusion which will motivate the readers to agree with
you.

https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/developing-thesis

Analysis Topic

• Through an analysis of the literature, prove that the play, Everyman
should be considered a Renaissance play.

• Create your argument/analysis through any of the following means:
• 1. Use of literary devices – symbolism; character analysis; style

• 2. Use of themes

• 3. Use of compare/contrast with historical and/or contextual ideas/concepts

The format for the assignment has been presented to you; now, you
will need to decide the method of analysis.

Tips on How to Write the Literary Analysis Essay

The purpose of a literary analysis essay is to carefully examine and
sometimes evaluate a work of literature or an aspect of a work
of literature. As with any analysis, this requires you to break the
subject down into its component parts.

For example, if you were to analyze (discuss and explain) a play,
you might analyze the relationship between a subplot and the
main plot, or you might analyze the character flaw of the tragic
hero by tracing how it is revealed through the acts of the play.

The Thesis Statement

• The thesis statement tells your reader what to expect: it is a
restricted, precisely worded declarative sentence that states the
purpose of your essay — the point you are trying to make. Without a
carefully conceived thesis, an essay has no chance of success.

• The fate of the main characters in Gilgamesh illustrates the danger of
excessive pride.

• The imagery in Dylan Thomas‟s poem “Fern Hill” reveals the
ambiguity of humans‟ relationship with nature.

• Typically, the thesis statement falls at the end of your introductory
paragraph.

Introduction

• The introduction to your literary analysis essay should try to capture
your reader’s interest.

• To bring immediate focus to your subject, you may want to use a
quotation, a provocative question, a brief anecdote, a startling
statement, or a combination of these.

• You may also want to include background information relevant to
your thesis and necessary for the reader to understand the position
you are taking.

• In addition, you need to include the title of the work of literature and
name of the author. The following are satisfactory introductory
paragraphs which include appropriate thesis statements:

Intro Example

• What would one expect to be the personality of a man who has his
wife sent away to a convent (or perhaps has had her murdered)
because she took too much pleasure in the sunset and in a
compliment paid to her by another man? It is just such a man—a
Renaissance duke—who Robert Browning portrays in his poem “My
Last Duchess.” A character analysis of the Duke reveals that through
his internal dialogue, his interpretation of earlier incidents, and his
actions, his traits—arrogance, jealousy, and greediness—emerge.

The Body Paragraphs

• Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence
• Example: Sammy’s descriptions of the A & P present a setting that is ugly,

monotonous, and rigidly regulated.

• The purpose of the topic sentence is twofold:
• 1. To relate the details of the paragraph to your thesis statement.

• 2. To tie the details of the paragraph together.

The Body Paragraphs Continued

• Good literary analysis essays contain an explanation of your ideas and
evidence from the text (short story, poem, play) that supports those
ideas.

• Textual evidence consists of summary, paraphrase, specific details,
and direct quotations, as well as use of your research to support your
ideas.

The Conclusion

• Your literary analysis essay should have a concluding paragraph that
gives your essay a sense of completeness and lets your readers know
that they have reached the end of your paper.

• End your paper by incorporating your opinion.
• This is the only section in the paper where you will be able to write in the first

person. Sections 1 through 3 must be written in the third person. Write an
impressive conclusion which will motivate the readers to agree with you.

• Do not introduce a new topic in your conclusion.

Title your Analysis Essay

• It is essential that you give your essay a title that is descriptive of the
approach you are taking in your paper.
• Just as you did in your introductory paragraph, try to get the reader’s

attention.

• For example: Theme in “The Secret Lion”: The Struggle of
Adolescence

The Audience

• Imagine you are writing for the other students in your class who have
about as much education as you do.

• They have read the assigned work just as you have, but perhaps they have
not thought about it in exactly the same way.

• In other words, it is not necessary to “retell” the work of literature in any
way.

• Rather, it is your role to be the explainer or interpreter of the work—to tell
what certain elements of the work mean in relation to your central idea
(thesis).

• When you make references to the text of the short story, poem, or play,
you are doing so to remind your audience of something they already know.

• The principle emphasis of your essay is to draw conclusions and develop
arguments. Be sure to avoid plot summary.

Using Textual Evidence

• The skillful use of textual evidence — summary, paraphrase, specific
detail, and direct quotations — can illustrate and support the ideas
you are developing in your essay.

• However, textual evidence should be used judiciously and only when
it directly relates to your topic.

• The correct and effective use of textual evidence is vital to the
successful literary analysis essay.

• Review this document for ways to use textual evidence.

https://www.bucks.edu/media/bcccmedialibrary/pdf/HOWTOWRITEALITERARYANALYSISESSAY_10.15.07_001

Remember . . .

• Your objective in writing a literary analysis essay is to convince the
person reading your essay that you have supported the idea you are
developing.

• Unlike ordinary conversation and classroom discussion, writing must
remain with great determination to the specific point of
development.

• This kind of writing demands tight organization and control.

• Therefore, your essay must have a central idea (thesis), it must have
several paragraphs that grow systematically out of the central idea,
and everything in it must be directly related to the central idea and
must contribute to the reader’s understanding of that central idea.

A Note about Plagiarism

• Plagiarism Checker by Grammarly
• Grammarly’s plagiarism checker detects plagiarism in your text and checks for

other writing issues.

• Commit to doing your own work. Cite your sources scrupulously.
Academic dishonesty carries a penalty that is easily avoidable.

• Best Practices for Avoiding Plagiarism

https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=searchunitedstateslocalizationpldsa&utm_targetid=aud-834333299656:dsa-810934138786&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2or8BRCNARIsAC_ppyaynu9XVrdUelML-vBF3zCXxGAI0z7lkHnwgD2BlqyVZ6cPw2bghosaAknWEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://guides.library.ucla.edu/citing/plagiarism/avoid

EVERYMAN

16th Century English Play

Everyman

› Original Title: “The
Summoning of Everyman”

› A Morality Play

› Author: Anonymous

› Published: 1508

› Written in Middle English

› “Here begynneth a
treatyse”

› Renaissance Edition of
Everyman

http://www.luminarium.org/renascence-editions/everyman.html

Introduction

› First published in England around the 16th Century
– Now thought to be based on an earlier Dutch play, published in
1495.

– Frequent reprintings indicate the text was bought and read a
great deal, but not necessarily performed.

Author Biography

› Author is unknown
– But speculated by scholars that the play was written by a cleric
under the direction of the church.

› Although the author is unknown, the play’s content,
themes, and ideology reflect those of Catholic Europe.
– The play’s emphasis on good deeds as a mechanism for
salvation reflects medieval Catholic ideology.

Opposition to Theater

› Traditionally, the Catholic Church opposed the theatre
because it frequently included nudity, fights with wild beasts,
and because Roman sacrifice of Christians was often included
as a part of pagan spectacle.

› An additional reason for church opposition was the use of
falsehood.
– In drama, an actor pretends to be someone else. (lying)
– The promotion of transsexuality (men dressing up as women)

› There were suggestions to overthrow the government

› Although modern audiences accept this as “acting,” it was
interpreted by the early church to be lying. By the tenth
century, drama would again become acceptable to clergy
when it was reborn as liturgical drama.

Church and Theater

› The earliest liturgical dramas were included as a part of
the church service and frequently took the form of a
simple dialogue, often sung, between two clerics.

› Eventually this exchange began to include additional
participants and by the thirteenth century, these dramas
became a means to educate an illiterate congregation.

Church and Theater Continued

› More elaborate staging of plays began to be included in
feast day celebrations, and they eventually moved from
the church to the town square, which accommodated a
larger audience.

› Eventually plays were sponsored by various guilds or
trades, and they became known as miracle or mystery
plays, derived from the Latin word, minister.

› By the end of the fifteenth century, these early mystery
plays evolved into morality plays, of which Everyman is
the best known.

Theater Grows in Popularity

› These plays were being performed in the vernacular
(everyday language) instead of Latin by the year 1350

› As popularity grew, the church began to lose control.
– Parts played by religious clerics and alter boys were now being
performed by community members.

– Trained performers now began to emerge into these dramatic
performances.

Morality Plays

› Morality Plays did not deal with biblical stories but with personal
views and morals

› These plays utilized a moral lesson to members of the audience

› These plays were dramatized allegories of the life of man
– Man trying to get to Heaven

› The general theme of a Morality Play is the conflict between good
and evil for the soul
– These plays always ended with the saving of the soul

› Everyman was, and still is, one of the most well-known Morality
Plays

Plot Summary
› Everyman is a one-act play written in the late 15th century.

› The play begins with a messenger calling on the audience to watch the
play.

› The messenger relates to the audience that this play is a moral play
about when Everyman is called in front of God.

› He explains that in the beginning of the Bible, God created man, and
everything was perfect.

› However man created sin and for that, Everyman is going to have a
reckoning with God.

› The messenger warns that even though now the spectators think that sin
is a good thing, when it comes to the end, it will make people sad.

› Those things which now make you happy will fade and it is then that
Everyman will have to answer for his actions.

Background of Everyman

› Everyman is very different from of Morality Plays in that it
does not contain any humor
– It is also short: only 900 lines long

› All characters in the play are abstractions (not
individualized but represent all people)

› Usually the main character of a Morality Play would be
“Everyman” or “Mankind”

Everyman and the Cycle of Grief

› In Scene 1, Everyman is told by Death that he has to die
and make a pilgrimage to the afterlife.

› Everyman starts to go through a grief cycle, exactly
following a theory proposed by Kubler-Ross in her book,
On Death and Dying

Grief Cycle

› Denial: Everyman says he feels fine and is not ready to
go to the afterlife

› Anger: Everyman becomes enraged asks why this is
happening to him

› Bargaining: Everyman starts to bargain with Death and
ask him if he can have more time

› Depression: Everyman begins to understand the
inevitability and starts to “fear pains huge and great”

› Acceptance: Everyman accepts the fact that he has to
make a pilgrimage and begins to prepare

Grief Cycle Continued

Scenes 2 & 3

Scene 2: Everyman asks his friends to go with him
– Fellowship: he says no

– He says he will gladly go drink with Everyman and have fun, but
not to die

› Scene 3:
– Everyman asks his family to go with him

– Kindred and Cousin: they say no

– Cousin has a cramp in his toe

Scenes 4 & 5

› Scene 4:
– Everyman goes to his money and wealth

– Goods: says no

– Goods has to stay; he is a temporary aspect of the world

› Scene 5:
– Everyman goes to his good deeds

– Good-Deeds: says no
› Sick because Everyman has never done any good deeds

Scenes 6 & 7

› Scene 6:
– Everyman learns about the doctrine of the church to try and
revitalize his good deeds

› Scene 7:
– Everyman’s soul is saved and he ascends into Heaven

Purpose

› It was obviously written to be preformed for the common
people.

› At the time, most people did not know how to read or
write.

› Most of that knowledge was reserved for high positions
and the Church.

› At the time, most of Europe followed the Roman Catholic
Church.

› This play had a purpose to educate the people about
salvation.

Purpose Continued

› Everyman refers to everyone.

› Everyone will someday have to go before the Lord in the
reckoning.
– It is the time when the Lord will judge whether or not the person
before him is worthy enough to get into heaven.

› There are a couple of warnings throughout the play.
– No one can ever escape death, and no one knows when they will
die, so one should not put off salvation because it may be too
late.

– There is also a point made that priests are human. Therefore,
since all humans are sinners, priests are not above sinning.

Setting & Tone

› Setting: The action begins in heaven when God sends
Death to summon the main character, Everyman.

› Thereafter, the action takes place on Earth.
– Since the author intended the main character to represent every
human being, the action on Earth could take place anywhere.

› Tone: Solemn & Dignified

Characters

› Everyman: Typical human being who has neglected his
spiritual life but repents his sins in time to be saved

› God: Just but merciful Supreme Being

› Death: Messenger commanded by God to summon
Everyman

› Fellowship, Kindred, Cousin, Material Goods: Earthly
acquaintances of Everyman who abandon him in his time
of need

Allegorical Figures Representing Abstract
Characters

› Angel

› Beauty

› Cousin

› Death

› Discretion

› Doctor

› Everyman

› Fellowship

› Five Wits

› God

› Good Deeds

› Goods

› Kindred

› Knowledge

› Messenger

› Strength

Themes

› Alienation and Loneliness

› Atonement and
Forgiveness

› Betrayal

› Death

› Material vs. Spiritual Gain

› Pilgrimage

› Reckoning & Judgment

› God and Religion

› Good Deeds
› Knowledge

› Sin

› Live for Tomorrow

› Deceptive Appearance of
Sin

Theme: Alienation and Loneliness

› As Everyman is abandoned by Fellowship, Kindred, and
Goods, he begins to feels increasingly isolated and alone.

› When his overtures to Fellowship are rejected, Everyman
thinks that surely his family will stand by him as he faces
his final judgment.

› Instead, what he discovers is that every man must face
God’s judgment alone.

› Earthly friendships and family are left behind in such a
situation, and man is never more isolated than in facing
death.

Theme: Atonement and Forgiveness

› When Everyman is feeling most afraid and alone, he is
given the opportunity to atone for his sins.

› The recognition of his sin, provided by Knowledge, leads
to his meeting with Confession and to penance.

› The medieval Christian tradition is that man must seek
atonement for earthly sins, but that God’s forgiveness is
always available to those who truly repent.

› At the end of Everyman, forgiveness is given freely, and
Everyman is prepared to meet God.

Theme: Betrayal

› Everyman has placed his faith in friends and family.

› They have been his companions throughout life and each initially
indicates their willingness to accompany him on a journey.

› Fellowship even vows to accompany his friend to Hell.

› But Fellowship and Kindred are both afraid of the real hell; both
decline

› Everyman’s invitation when they learn he is going to meet God’s
final judgement.
– This indicates that man will always be betrayed by earthly companions, since
each man is ultimately selfish and must confront God alone.

– Their betrayal of Everyman serves a purpose, however, as their rejection
forces him to search for greater truths.

Theme: Death
› Death is the means by which man finally meets God.

› It is impending death that forces Everyman to consider his life and
his accomplishments.

› Like most men, Everyman is unprepared for death and seeks extra
time.

› In this respect he is like all men, who would plead for time to make
final plans and, most importantly, to make peace with God.

› Generally, most Christian religions suggest that death is not to be
feared, but that a better, eternal existence will be known as a result
of death.

› Still, the approach of death is often the most frightening experience
that man will face.

› Everyman is no exception to this idea.

Theme: God and Religion

› Plays such as Everyman are intended to help reinforce the
importance of God and religion in people’s lives.

› In this play, God represents salvation, but it is religion that
provides the means to achieve that salvation.

› Like most drama of the medieval period, the focus of this
play is how religion and a belief in God will help man
overcome any travail, including death.

› Although God appears as a character only at the
beginning of the play, his presence is felt throughout as
Everyman begins to recognize his need for help beyond
the earthly realm.

Theme: Good Deeds

› According to Catholic belief, it is man’s accounting of himself
and his good deeds that will provide admittance to heaven.

› Thus it is only Good Deeds who can accompany Everyman on
his final journey.

› When faced with God’s judgment, man’s riches, the notoriety
of his friends, and the importance of his family will not speak
for his worth.

› Only the good deeds that a man does here on earth can
speak for him before God.

› Accordingly, good deeds is more important than faith in
achieving salvation.

Theme: Knowledge

› When abandoned by his friends, it is Knowledge that
leads Everyman to the help he needs.

› It is knowledge that helps man to recognize and
understand how he has sinned.

› It is knowledge that permits him to recognize deception
and falsehoods.

› And finally, it is knowledge that allows Everyman to find
the way to Confession and penance.

› If it is only his good deeds that can save man, it is
knowledge that allows man to recognize the importance
of good deeds in finding salvation.

Theme: Sin

› Sin is the reason for this play. It is sin that angers God in
the opening lines.

› As a theme, sin is central, since it is Everyman’s sins that
force his final judgment.

› He has sinned much in his life, and the audience is told
that his sins are so great that Good Deeds is immobile.

› Only when he can recognize and renounce his sins can
Everyman be saved.

Style

› Archetype

› Audience

› Character

› Drama

› Genre

› Morality Play

› Parable

› Plot

Style: Archetype

› The word archetype is generally used to describe a character
who represents a pattern from which all characters or “types”
are derived.

› The term derives from the work of Carl Jung, who expressed
the theory that behind every unconscious lies the collective
memories of the past.

› In literature, the term is often applied to a character type or
plot pattern that occurs frequently and is easily recognized.

› In Everyman, Death is such a character, and the audience
would immediately recognize this character and his purpose
in the plot.

Style: Audience

› Authors usually write with an audience in mind.

› Certainly the unknown author of Everyman intended this
drama to instruct the audience.

› Since few people were literate, a medieval writer could
use drama to tell a story or teach a moral.

› The lesson in this play is how to lead a proper religious
life and prepare for death and God’s judgement.

Style: Character

› The actions of each character are what constitute the
story.

› Characters can also include the idea of a particular
individual’s morality.

› Characters can range from simple stereotypical figures to
more complex multi-faceted ones.

› Characters may also be defined by personality traits,
such as the rogue or the damsel in distress.

Style: Character Continued

› The actions of each character are what constitute the
story.

› Characterization is the process of creating a life-like
person from an author’s imagination.

› To accomplish this the author provides the character with
personality traits that help define who he will be and how
he will behave in a given situation.

Style: Character in Everyman

› Everyman differs slightly from this definition, since each
character is little more than a “type.”

› The audience does not really know or understand the
character as an individual.

› For instance, Fellowship represents little more than a
quality, not an individual.

› The audience understands that Fellowship signifies the
friendships than men have while here on earth.

Style: Drama

› A drama is often defined as any work designed to be
presented on the stage.

› It consists of a story, of actors portraying characters, and
of action.

› But historically, drama can also consist of tragedy,
comedy, religious pageant, and spectacle.

› In modern usage, drama explores serious topics and
themes but does not achieve the same level as tragedy.

› In Everyman, drama is aligned with spectacle and is
intended as a mechanism to instruct the audience on
how to prepare for death.

Style: Genre

› Genres are a way of categorizing literature. Genre is a
French term that means “kind” or “type.”

› Genre can refer to both the category of literature such as
tragedy, comedy, epic, poetry, or pastoral.

› It can also include modern forms of literature such as
drama, novels, or short stories.

› This term can also refer to types of literature such as
mystery, science fiction, comedy, or romance.

› Everyman is a morality play.

Style: Morality Play

› Following the revival of theatre in the eleventh century,
the Catholic Church began to introduce brief dramatized
episodes into the mass on the occasion of major
festivals.

› These gradually developed into complete plays,
performed in public places by the trade guilds, and were
known as mystery plays

Style: Morality Play Continued

› In some towns, there was a cycle of dramatized stories
from the Creation to the Last Judgement.

› These were succeeded in the fifteenth century by morality
plays, allegorical presentations of human vices and
virtues in conflict.

› Among these, Everyman is perhaps the best known.

Style: Parable

› A parable is a story intended to teach a moral lesson.

› The story in Everyman is designed to teach people to
lead a good, religious life so that they may properly
prepare for death and the afterlife.

› The Bible is one of the most obvious sources of parables,
since religion traditionally relies upon stories to teach
lessons.

› This tradition stems from a period in which most men and
women could not read, and the clergy found that stories
were the most effective way to instruct moral lessons.

Style: Plot vs Theme

› Students are often confused between the two terms; but
themes explore ideas, and plots simply relate what
happens in a very obvious manner.

› Thus the plot of Everyman is how a man searches for a
friend to accompany him to his final judgment.

› But the theme is how man can find salvation in God and
Good Deeds.

Historical Context
Cultural Changes in England

Cultural Changes in England
› The end of the fifteenth century marked the end of the medieval
period in England.

› The ascension of commerce changed the face of England.

› Once a predominantly agrarian culture, the cities of England,
especially London, became more densely populated and urban.

› Farmlands were enclosed, and displaced rural families fled to the
larger cities, where crowding, unemployment, and plague were a
greater problem.

› The feudal order was ending, as well as the era of knights on
horseback, who became obsolete after Henry V proved that there
was a more efficient way to win a battle.

› Literacy increased too, as moveable typesetting made books and
other printed material more available.

Conclusion

› There is no record of Everyman being produced on stage
during the medieval period.

› The title page refers to the work as a treatise, and
occasionally such works were fashioned as dialogues between
characters.

› This was especially true when the author intended the work to
provide a moral lesson.

› Whether Everyman was ever performed or not, it proved
popular among readers, achieving four reprintings in the first
years following its publication.

› But with the move to a Protestant religion in England and the
development of the more sophisticated Elizabethan theater,
the morality plays of the medieval period were forgotten.

Conclusion Continued

› Everyman was not reprinted again until 1773 and was then
regarded as an artifact of the ancient past.

› However, by the nineteenth century, medieval drama became
an important topic of study, and eventually interest in
Everyman surged enough to warrant a production in 1901.

› In the latter half of the twentieth century, Everyman has
achieved a level of popularity as a subject for study,
particularly as interest in England’ s medieval period has
increased.

› Often cited as the best representation of morality plays and of
medieval drama in general, Everyman appears in many
anthologies of drama.

› The play continues to be taught in college English courses
and occasional productions can be found at universities.

What’s Next?

› After viewing the video lecture for Everyman, it’s now time
for you to review the requirements for the literary analysis
assignment; choose your topic idea as you read the
literature.

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Medieval Sourcebook:
Everyman, 15th Century

Everyman is late-15th-century English morality play. Called by Death,
Everyman can persuade none of his friends – Beauty, Kindred, Worldly Goods – to go with
him, except Good Deeds.

Characters

Everyman————————-Strength
God: Adonai———————-Discretion
Death—————————–Five-Wits
Messenger————————Beauty
Fellowship————————Knowledge
Cousin—————————-Confession
Kindred—————————Angel
Goods—————————–Doctor
Good-Deeds

HERE BEGINETH A TREATISE HOW THE HIGH FATHER OH 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.

Messenger: I pray you all give your audience,

And here this matter with reverence,
By figure a moral play-
The Summoning of Everyman called it is,
That of our lives and ending shows
How transitory we be all day.
This matter is wonderous precious,
But the intent of it is more gracious,
And sweet to bear away.
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 thy soul to weep,
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 here, how our heavenly king
Calleth Everyman to a general reckoning:
Give audience, and here what he doth say.

God: I perceive
here in my majesty,

How that all the creatures be to me unkind,
Living without dread in worldly prosperity:
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 rightwiseness, the sharp rod;
My law that I shewed, when I for them died,
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,
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;
Everyman 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, *is impaired
Therefore I will in all the haste
Have a reckoning of Everyman’s person
For and I leave the people thus alone
In their life and wicked tempests,
Verily they will become much worse than beasts;
For now one would by envy another up eat;
Charity they all do clean forget.
I hope well that Everyman
In my glory should make his mansion,
And thereto I had them all elect;
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;
They be so cumbered with worldly riches,
That needs on them I must do justice,
On Everyman living without fear.
Where art thou, Death, thou mighty messenger?

Death: Almighty God, I am here at
your will,

Your commandment to fulfil.

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;
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 cruelly outsearch both great and small;
Every man will I beset that liveth beastly
Out of God’s laws, and dreadeth not folly;
He that loveth riches 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.
Lo, yonder I see Everyman walking;
Full little he thinketh on my coming;
His mind is on fleshly lust and his treasure,
And great pain it shall cause him to endure
Before the Lord Heaven King.

Everyman, stand still; whither art thou going

Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forget?

Everyman: Why askst thou?

Wouldest thou wete*? *know

Death: Yea, sir, I will show you;

In great haste I am sent to thee
From God out of his great majesty.

Everyman: What, sent to me?

Death: Yea, certainly.

Though thou have forget him here,
He thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere,
As, or we depart, thou shalt know.

Everyman: What desireth God of me?

Death: That shall I show thee;

A reckoning he will needs have
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;
For turn again thou can not 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 few;
How thou hast spent thy life, and in what wise,
Before the chief lord of paradise.
Have ado that we were in that way,
For, wete thou well, thou shalt make none attournay*. *mediator

Everyman: Full unready I am such reckoning to give

I know thee not: what messenger art thou?

Death: 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;

In thy power it lieth me to save,
Yet of my good will I give thee, if ye will be kind,
Yea, a thousand pound shalt thou have,
And defer this matter till another day.

Death: Everyman, it may not be
by no way;

I set not by gold, silver nor, riches,
Ne by pope, emperor, king, duke, ne princes.
For and I would receive gifts great,
All the world I might get;
But my custom is clean contrary.
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.
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 provided of remedy.

Death: Thee availeth not to cry,
weep, and pray:

But haste thee lightly that you were gone the journey,
And prove thy friends if thou can.
For, wete thou well, the tide abideth no man,
And in the world each living creature
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: No, Everyman; and 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;
Shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial
Of mine acquaintance that way to me lead?

Death: Yea, if any be so hardy

That would go with thee and bear thee company.
Hie thee that you were gone to God’s magnificence,
Thy reckoning to give before his presence.
What, weenest thou thy life is given thee,
And thy worldly goods also?

Everyman: I had went so verily.

Death: Nay, nay; it was but lent
thee;

For as soon as thou art go,
Another awhile shall have it, and then go therefor
Even as thou hast done.
Everyman, thou art mad; thou hast thou wits five,
And here on earth will not amend thy life,
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 to-morrow,
That I may amend me
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.
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 escape away.

Everyman; Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep;

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 gete*! *been born
To my soul a 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 a-go;
I wot not well what for to do.
To whom were I best my complaint do make?
What, and I to Fellowship thereof spake,
And show him of this sudden chance?
For in him is all my affiance;
We have in the world so many a day
Be on good friends in sport and play.
I see him yonder, certainly;
I trust that he will bear me company;
Therefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow.
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: Yea, good Fellowship, yea,

I am in great jeopardy.

Fellowship: My true friend, show me your mind;

I will not forsake thee, unto my life’s end,
In the way of good company.

Everyman: 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,-
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,

And then you to turn your mind from me,
And would not me comfort, when you here me speak,
Then should I ten times sorrier be.

Fellowship: Sir, I say as I will do in deed.

Everyman: Then be you a good friend at need;

I have found you true here before.

Fellowship: And so ye shall evermore;

For, in faith, and thou go to Hell
I will not forsake thee by the way!

Everyman: Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well;

I shall deserve it, and 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,
As to your friend most loving and kind.

Everyman: I shall show you how it is;

Commanded I am to go on a journey,
A long way, hard and dangerous,
And give a strait count without delay
Before the high judge Adonai*. *God
Wherefore I pray you bear me company,
As ye have promised, in this journey.

Fellowship: That is a matter indeed! Promise is duty,

But, and I should take such a voyage on me,
I know it well, it should be to my pain:
Also it make me afeard, certain.
But let us take counsel here as well we can,
For your words would fear a strong man.

Everyman Why, ye said, If I had need,

Ye would me never forsake, quick nor dead,
Though it were to hell truly.

Fellowship: So I said, certainly,

But such pleasures be set aside, thee sooth to say:
And also, if we took such a journey,
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: Now, by God that all hath brought,

If Death were the messenger,
For no man that is living to-day
I will not go that loath journey-
Not for the father that begat me!

Everyman: Ye promised other wise, pardie.

Fellowship: I wot well I say so truly;

And yet if thou wilt eat, and drink, and make good cheer,
Or haunt to women, the lusty companion,
I would not forsake you, while the day is clear,
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: Now, in good faith, I will not that way.

But and thou wilt murder, or any man kill,
In that I will help thee with a good will!

Everyman: O that is a simple advice indeed!

Gentle fellow, help me in my necessity;
We have loved long, and now I need,
And now, gentle Fellowship, remember me.

Fellowship: Whether ye have loved me or no,

By Saint John, I will not with thee go.

Everyman: Yet I pray thee, take the labour, and do so much for me

To bring me forward, for saint charity,
And comfort me till I come without the town.

Fellowship: Nay, and thou would give me a new gown,

I will not a foot with thee go;
But and you had tarried I would not have left thee so.
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 you forsake me?

Fellowship: Yea, by my fay, to God I betake thee.

Everyman: Farewell, good Fellowship; for this my heart is sore;

Adieu for ever, I shall see thee no more.

Fellowship: In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the end;

For you I will remember that parting is mourning.

Everyman: Alack! Shall we thus depart indeed?

Our Lady, help, without any more comfort,
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,
Which in adversity be fully unkind.
Now whither for succour shall I flee,
Sith that Fellowship hath forsaken me?
To my kinsmen I will truly,
Praying them to help me in my necessity;
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 go.
Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen?

Kindred: Here be we now at your commandment.

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 wete you well, we will live and die together.

Kindred: 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,
That is a high king’s chief officer;
He bade me go on 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,
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;
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 thither with me,
To help to make account, for saint charity.

Cousin: 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
If that you forsake me.

Kindred: Ah, sir; what, ye be a merry man!

Take good heart to you, and make no moan.
But as one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne,
As for me, ye shall go alone.

Everyman: 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.

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: Now show me the very effect of your mind.

Will you go with me, or abide behind?

Kindred: Abide behind? Yea, that I will and I may!

Therefore farewell until another day.

Everyman: How should I be mary or glad?

For fair promises 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 varily I will not go with you;
Also of mine 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 feign;
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.
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,
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 hast!

I lie here in corners, trussed and piled so high,
And in chest 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, Goods, in all the hast thou may,

For of counsel I must desire thee.

Goods: Sir, and ye in the world have
trouble 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.
I am sent for another way to go,
To give a straight account 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,
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,

I follow no man in such voyages;
For and I went with thee
Thou shouldst fare much the worse for me;
For because on me thou did set thy hand,
Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind,
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: Nay, not so, I am, to 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 lesing,

For my love is contrary to the love everlasting.
But if thou had loved moderately during,
As, to the poor give part of me,
Then shouldst thou not in this dolour be,
Nor in this great sorrow care.

Everyman: Lo, now was I deceived or was I ware,

And all may wyte* my spending time. *blame

Goods: What, weenest thou that I am
thine?

Everyman: I had wend so.

Goods: Nay, Everyman, say
no;

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?
Nay, from this world, not verrily.

Everyman: I had wend otherwise.

Goods: Therefore to thy soul Good is a thief;

For when thou art dead, this is my guise
Another to deceive in the same wise
As I have done thee, and all to his soul’s reprief.

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,

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 in deed?
I pray thee truth to say.

Goods: No, so God me speed,

Therefore farewell, and have good day.

Everyman: O, to whom shall I make my moan

For to go with me in that heavy journey?
First Fellowship said he would go 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,
They lacked no fair speaking,
But all forsake 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
That he bringeth many to hell.
Then of myself I was ashamed,
And so I am worthy to be blamed;
Thus may I well myself hate.
Of whom shall now counsel take?
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 I will venture on her now.-
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: O, Good-Deeds, I stand in fear;

I must you pray counsel,
For help now should come right well.

Good-Deeds: Everyman, I have understanding

That ye be summoned account to make
Before Messias, of Jerusalem King;
And if you do by me that journey what 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: Yea, sir, I may thank you of all;

If ye had perfectly cheered me,
Your book of account now full ready had be.
Look, the books of your works and deeds eke;
Oh, see how they lie under the feet,
To your soul’s heaviness.

Everyman: Our Lord Jesus, help me!

For one letter here I can not see.

Good-Deeds: There is a blind reckoning in time of distress!

Everyman: Good-Deeds, I pray you, help me in this need,

Or else I am forever damned indeed;
Therefore help me to make reckoning
Before the redeemer of all thing,
That king is, and was, and ever shall.

Good-Deeds: Everyman, I am sorry for your fall,

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

Everyman: Good-Deeds, you 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,
Called Knowledge, which shall you abide,
To help you 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 every thing,

And am wholly content with this good thing;
Thanked be God my creator.

Good-Deeds: And when he hath brought thee there,

Where thou shalt heal thee of thy smart,
Then go with your reckoning and your Good-Deeds together
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: Now we go 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: in the house of salvation:

We shall find him in that place,
That shall us comfort by God’s grace.
Lo, this is Confession; kneel down and ask mercy,
For he is in good conceit with God almighty.

Everyman: O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify,

That on me no sin may be seen;
I come with Knowledge for my redemption,
Repent with hearty and full contrition;
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;

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, wise voider of adversity;
Therewith shall your body chastised be,
With abstinence and perseverance in God’s service:
Here shall you receive that scourge of me,
Which is penance strong, that ye must endure,
To remember thy Saviour was scourged for thee
With sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently;
So must thou, or thou scape that that painful pilgrimage;

Knowledge, keep him in this voyage,
And by that time Good-Deeds will be with thee.
But in any wise, be sure of mercy,
For your time draweth fast, and ye will saved be;
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;
This hath rejoiced and lighted my heart,
Though the knots be painful and within.

Knowledge: Everyman, look your penance that ye fulfil,

What pain that ever it to you be,
And Knowledge shall give you counsel at will,
How your accounts you shall make clearly,

Everyman: O eternal God, O heavenly figure,

O way of rightwiseness, O goodly vision,
Which descended down in a virgin pure
Because he would Everyman redeem,
Which Adam forfeited by his disobedience:
O blessed Godhead, elect and high-divine,
Forgive my grievous offence;
Here I cry thee mercy in this presence.
O ghostly treasure, O ransomer and redeemer
Of all the world, hope and conductor,
Mirror of joy, and founder of mercy,
Which illumineth heaven and earth thereby,
Hear my clamorous complain, though it late be;
Receive my prayers; unworthy in this heavy life,
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 same me from the power of my enemy,
For Death assaileth me strongly,
And, Lady, that I may by means of they prayer
Of your Son’s glory to be partaker,
By the means of h is passion I it crave,
I beseech you, help my soul to save.

Knowledge, give me the scourge of penance;
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,
Thus 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;
Also though delightest to go gay and fresh;
And in the way of damnation thou did me brine;
Therefore suffer now strokes and 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;

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;
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,

Blessed by thou without end;
For thee is prepared the eternal glory,
Ye gave me made whole and sound,
Therefore I will bid by thee in every stound*. *season

Everyman: Welcome, my Good-Deeds; now I hear thy voice,

I weep for very sweetness of love.

Knowledge: Be no more sad, but ever rejoice,

God seeth they living in this throne above;
Put on his garment to thy behove,
Which is wet with your tears,
Or else before god you may it miss,
When you to your journey’s end come shall.

Everyman: Gentle Knowledge, what do you it call?

Knowledge: It is a garment of sorrow:

From pain it will you borrow;
Contrition it is,
That getteth forgiveness;
It pleaseth God passing well.

Good-Deeds: Everyman, will you wear it for your heal?

Everyman: Now blessed by Jesu. Mary’s Son!

From 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;

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: 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 counsellors.

Good-Deeds: You must have them ready at all hours

Everyman: How shall I get them hinder?

Knowledge: You must call them all together,

And they will hear you incontient.

Everyman: My friends, come hither and be present

Discretion, Strength, my Five-wits and Beauty.

Beauty: Here at you will we be all
ready.

What will 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: 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 thou be,

I give thee laud that I have hither brought

Strength, Discretion, Beauty, and Five-wits; lack I
nought;
And my Good-Deeds, with Knowledge clear,
I desire no more to my business.

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

Though thou would be battle fight on the ground,.

Five-Wits: And though it were through the world round,

We will not depart for sweet nor sour.

Beauty: No more will I unto
death’s hour,

Whatsoever thereof befall.

Discretion: Everyman, advise you first of all;

Go with a good advisement and deliberation;
We all give you virtuous monitiion
That all shall be well.

Everyman: My friends, harken what I will tell:

I pray God reward you in his heavenly sphere.
Now harken, all that be here,
For I will make my testament
Here before you all present.
In alms half good I will give with my hands twain
In the way of charity with good intent,
And the other half still shall remain
In quiet to be returned there it ought to be.
This I do in despite of the fiend of hell
To go quite out if his peril.
Even after and this day.

Knowledge: Everyman, hearken what I say;

Go to priesthood, I you advise,
And receive of him in any wise
The holy sacrament and ointment together;
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,
As hath the least priest in the world being;
He beareth the keys and thereof hath the cure
For man’s redemption, it is ever sure;
Which God for our soul’s medicine
Gave us out of his heart with great pine;
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,
Marriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance;
Gracious sacraments of high divinity.

Everyman: Fain would I receive that holy body

And meek to my ghostly father I will go.

Five-wits: Everyman, that is the best that ye can do:

God will you to salvation bring,
For priesthood exceedeth all other things;
To us Holy Scripture they do teach.
And converteth man from sin heaven to reach;
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 male,
And handleth his maker between his hands;
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 surgeon that cureth sin deadly;
No remedy we find under God
But all only priesthood.

Everyman, God gave priests that dignity,
And setteth them in his stead amount us to be;
Thus be they above angels in degree

Knowledge: If priests be good it is so surely;

But when Jesus 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.
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;
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;

Therefore let us priesthood honour,
And follow their doctrine for our souls’ succour;
We be their sheep, and they shepherds be
By whom we all be kept in surety.
Peace, for yonder I see Everyman come,
Which hath made true satisfaction.

Good-Deeds: Methinketh it is he indeed.

Everyman: Now Jesu be our alder speed*. * speed in help of all

I have received the sacrament for my redemption,
And then mine extreme unction:
Blessed be all they that counsell 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 rod your hand,
And shortly follow me:
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,

I will never part you fro:

Everyman, I will be as sure by the
As ever I did by Judas Maccabee.

Everyman: Alas, I am so faint I may not stand,

My limbs under me do fold;
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 the earth and there to sleep.

Beauty: What into this grave? Alas!

Everyman: Yea, there shall you 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: I cross out all this; adieu by
Saint John;

I take my cap in my lap and am gone.

Everyman: What, Beauty, whither will ye?

Beauty: Peace, I am deaf; I look not
behind me,

Not and thou would give me all the gold in thy chest.

Everyman: Alas, whereto may I trust?

Beauty goeth fast away hie;
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: Why, then ye will forsake me all.

Sweet Strength, tarry a little space.

Strength: Nay, sir, by thy rood of grace

I will hie me from thee fast,
Though thou weep till thy heart brast.

Everyman: 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: Strength, you to displease I am to blame;

Will you break promise that is debt?

Strength: In faith, I care not;

Thou art but a fool to complain,
You spend your speech and waste your brain;
Go thrust thee into the ground.

Everyman: I had went surer I should you have found.

He that trustest in his Strength
She him deceiveth at the length.
Both Strength and Beauty forsaketh me,
Yet they promise 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,

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.

Farewell, every one!

Everyman: O 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: Everyman, my leave now of thee I take;

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

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: 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 do go;

But not yet for no manner of danger.

Everyman: Gramercy, Knowledge, with all me heart.

Knowledge: Nay, yet I will not depart from hence depart,

Till I see where ye shall be come.

Everyman: Methinketh, alas, that I must be gone,

To make my reckoning and my debts pay,
For I see my time is nigh spent away.
Take example, all ye that do hear or see,
How they that I loved best do forsake me,
Except my Good-Deeds that bideth truly.

Good-Deeds: 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;

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: 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
That shall be saved at the day of doom.

In manus tuas- of might’s most

For ever- commendo spiritum meum.

Knowledge: Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure;

The Good-Deeds shall make all sure.
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:

Hereabove 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,
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,
And remember Beauty, Five-wits, Strength, and Discretion,
They all at last do Everyman forsake,
Save his Good-Deeds, there doth he take.
But beware, and they be small
Before God, he hath no help at all.
None excuse may be there for Everyman:
Alas, how shall he do then?
For after death amends may no man make,
For then mercy and pity do him forsake.
If his reckoning be not clear when he do come,
God will say- ite maledicti in ignem aeternum.
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.
Thereto help the Trinity,
Amen, say ye, for saint Charity.

THUS
ENDETH THIS MORALL PLAY OF EVERYMAN.

Source.

This text is part of the Internet
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copy-permitted texts related to medieval and Byzantine history.
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© Paul Halsall, August 1998
[email protected]

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Medieval Sourcebook:
Everyman, 15th Century

Everyman is late-15th-century English morality play. Called by Death,
Everyman can persuade none of his friends – Beauty, Kindred, Worldly Goods – to go with
him, except Good Deeds.

Characters

God: I perceive
here in my majesty,

Death: Almighty God, I am here at
your will,

Your commandment to fulfil.

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;
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,

Everyman, stand still; whither art thou going

Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forget?

Everyman: Why askst thou?

Wouldest thou wete*? *know

Death: Yea, sir, I will show you;

In great haste I am sent to thee
From God out of his great majesty.

Everyman: What, sent to me?

Death: Yea, certainly.

Though thou have forget him here,
He thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere,
As, or we depart, thou shalt know.

Everyman: What desireth God of me?

Death: That shall I show thee;

A reckoning he will needs have
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:

Everyman: Full unready I am such reckoning to give

I know thee not: what messenger art thou?

Death: 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;

In thy power it lieth me to save,
Yet of my good will I give thee, if ye will be kind,
Yea, a thousand pound shalt thou have,
And defer this matter till another day.

Death: Everyman, it may not be
by no way;

Everyman: Alas, shall I have no longer respite?

Death: Thee availeth not to cry,
weep, and pray:

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: No, Everyman; and 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;
Shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial
Of mine acquaintance that way to me lead?

Death: Yea, if any be so hardy

Everyman: I had went so verily.

Death: Nay, nay; it was but lent
thee;

Everyman: O wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee,

That I might scape this endless sorrow!
Now, gentle Death, spare me till to-morrow,
That I may amend me
With good advisement.

Death: Nay, thereto I will not
consent,

Everyman; Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep;

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: Yea, good Fellowship, yea,

I am in great jeopardy.

Fellowship: My true friend, show me your mind;

I will not forsake thee, unto my life’s end,
In the way of good company.

Everyman: 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,-
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,

And then you to turn your mind from me,
And would not me comfort, when you here me speak,
Then should I ten times sorrier be.

Fellowship: Sir, I say as I will do in deed.

Everyman: Then be you a good friend at need;

I have found you true here before.

Fellowship: And so ye shall evermore;

For, in faith, and thou go to Hell
I will not forsake thee by the way!

Everyman: Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well;

I shall deserve it, and 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,
As to your friend most loving and kind.

Everyman: I shall show you how it is;

Fellowship: That is a matter indeed! Promise is duty,

Everyman Why, ye said, If I had need,

Ye would me never forsake, quick nor dead,
Though it were to hell truly.

Fellowship: So I said, certainly,

But such pleasures be set aside, thee sooth to say:
And also, if we took such a journey,
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: Now, by God that all hath brought,

If Death were the messenger,
For no man that is living to-day
I will not go that loath journey-
Not for the father that begat me!

Everyman: Ye promised other wise, pardie.

Fellowship: I wot well I say so truly;

And yet if thou wilt eat, and drink, and make good cheer,
Or haunt to women, the lusty companion,
I would not forsake you, while the day is clear,
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: Now, in good faith, I will not that way.

But and thou wilt murder, or any man kill,
In that I will help thee with a good will!

Everyman: O that is a simple advice indeed!

Gentle fellow, help me in my necessity;
We have loved long, and now I need,
And now, gentle Fellowship, remember me.

Fellowship: Whether ye have loved me or no,

By Saint John, I will not with thee go.

Everyman: Yet I pray thee, take the labour, and do so much for me

To bring me forward, for saint charity,
And comfort me till I come without the town.

Fellowship: Nay, and thou would give me a new gown,

I will not a foot with thee go;
But and you had tarried I would not have left thee so.
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 you forsake me?

Fellowship: Yea, by my fay, to God I betake thee.

Everyman: Farewell, good Fellowship; for this my heart is sore;

Adieu for ever, I shall see thee no more.

Fellowship: In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the end;

For you I will remember that parting is mourning.

Everyman: Alack! Shall we thus depart indeed?

Our Lady, help, without any more comfort,
Lo, Fellowship forsaketh me in my most need:
For help in this world whither shall I resort?

Kindred: Here be we now at your commandment.

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 wete you well, we will live and die together.

Kindred: 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.

Kindred: What account is that which ye must render?

That would I know.

Everyman: Of all my works I must show

Cousin: 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
If that you forsake me.

Kindred: Ah, sir; what, ye be a merry man!

Take good heart to you, and make no moan.
But as one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne,
As for me, ye shall go alone.

Everyman: 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.

Everyman: Now show me the very effect of your mind.

Will you go with me, or abide behind?

Kindred: Abide behind? Yea, that I will and I may!

Therefore farewell until another day.

Everyman: How should I be mary or glad?

For fair promises 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 varily I will not go with you;
Also of mine 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?

Goods: Who calleth me? Everyman?
What hast thou hast!

Everyman: Come hither, Goods, in all the hast thou may,

For of counsel I must desire thee.

Goods: Sir, and ye in the world have
trouble or adversity,

That can I help you to remedy shortly.

Everyman: It is another disease that grieveth me;

Goods: Nay, Everyman, I sing
another song,

Everyman: That would grieve me full sore,

When I should come to that fearful answer.
Up, let us go thither together.

Goods: Nay, not so, I am, to 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 lesing,

For my love is contrary to the love everlasting.
But if thou had loved moderately during,
As, to the poor give part of me,
Then shouldst thou not in this dolour be,
Nor in this great sorrow care.

Everyman: Lo, now was I deceived or was I ware,

And all may wyte* my spending time. *blame

Goods: What, weenest thou that I am
thine?

Everyman: I had wend so.

Goods: Nay, Everyman, say
no;

Everyman: I had wend otherwise.

Goods: Therefore to thy soul Good is a thief;

For when thou art dead, this is my guise
Another to deceive in the same wise
As I have done thee, and all to his soul’s reprief.

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,

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 in deed?
I pray thee truth to say.

Goods: No, so God me speed,

Therefore farewell, and have good day.

Everyman: O, to whom shall I make my moan

Good-Deeds: Here I lie cold in the ground;

Thy sins hath me sore bound,
That I cannot stir.

Everyman: O, Good-Deeds, I stand in fear;

I must you pray counsel,
For help now should come right well.

Good-Deeds: Everyman, I have understanding

That ye be summoned account to make
Before Messias, of Jerusalem King;
And if you do by me that journey what 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: Yea, sir, I may thank you of all;

If ye had perfectly cheered me,
Your book of account now full ready had be.
Look, the books of your works and deeds eke;
Oh, see how they lie under the feet,
To your soul’s heaviness.

Everyman: Our Lord Jesus, help me!

For one letter here I can not see.

Good-Deeds: There is a blind reckoning in time of distress!

Everyman: Good-Deeds, I pray you, help me in this need,

Or else I am forever damned indeed;
Therefore help me to make reckoning
Before the redeemer of all thing,
That king is, and was, and ever shall.

Good-Deeds: Everyman, I am sorry for your fall,

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

Everyman: Good-Deeds, you 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,
Called Knowledge, which shall you abide,
To help you 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 every thing,

And am wholly content with this good thing;
Thanked be God my creator.

Good-Deeds: And when he hath brought thee there,

Where thou shalt heal thee of thy smart,
Then go with your reckoning and your Good-Deeds together
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: Now we go 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: in the house of salvation:

We shall find him in that place,
That shall us comfort by God’s grace.
Lo, this is Confession; kneel down and ask mercy,
For he is in good conceit with God almighty.

Everyman: O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify,

Confession: I know your sorrow well, Everyman;

Everyman: Thanked be God for his gracious work!

For now I will my penance begin;
This hath rejoiced and lighted my heart,
Though the knots be painful and within.

Knowledge: Everyman, look your penance that ye fulfil,

What pain that ever it to you be,
And Knowledge shall give you counsel at will,
How your accounts you shall make clearly,

Everyman: O eternal God, O heavenly figure,

Knowledge, give me the scourge of penance;
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,
Thus may you make your reckoning sure.

Everyman: In the name of the Holy Trinity,

Good-Deeds: I thank God, now I can walk and go;

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;
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,

Blessed by thou without end;
For thee is prepared the eternal glory,
Ye gave me made whole and sound,
Therefore I will bid by thee in every stound*. *season

Everyman: Welcome, my Good-Deeds; now I hear thy voice,

I weep for very sweetness of love.

Knowledge: Be no more sad, but ever rejoice,

God seeth they living in this throne above;
Put on his garment to thy behove,
Which is wet with your tears,
Or else before god you may it miss,
When you to your journey’s end come shall.

Everyman: Gentle Knowledge, what do you it call?

Knowledge: It is a garment of sorrow:

From pain it will you borrow;
Contrition it is,
That getteth forgiveness;
It pleaseth God passing well.

Good-Deeds: Everyman, will you wear it for your heal?

Everyman: Now blessed by Jesu. Mary’s Son!

From 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;

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: 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 counsellors.

Good-Deeds: You must have them ready at all hours

Everyman: How shall I get them hinder?

Knowledge: You must call them all together,

And they will hear you incontient.

Everyman: My friends, come hither and be present

Discretion, Strength, my Five-wits and Beauty.

Beauty: Here at you will we be all
ready.

What will 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: 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 thou be,

I give thee laud that I have hither brought

Strength, Discretion, Beauty, and Five-wits; lack I
nought;
And my Good-Deeds, with Knowledge clear,
I desire no more to my business.

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

Though thou would be battle fight on the ground,.

Five-Wits: And though it were through the world round,

We will not depart for sweet nor sour.

Beauty: No more will I unto
death’s hour,

Whatsoever thereof befall.

Discretion: Everyman, advise you first of all;

Go with a good advisement and deliberation;
We all give you virtuous monitiion
That all shall be well.

Everyman: My friends, harken what I will tell:

Knowledge: Everyman, hearken what I say;

Go to priesthood, I you advise,
And receive of him in any wise
The holy sacrament and ointment together;
Then shortly see ye turn again hither;
We will all abide you here.

Five-Wits: Yea, Everyman, hie you that ye ready
were,

Everyman: Fain would I receive that holy body

And meek to my ghostly father I will go.

Five-wits: Everyman, that is the best that ye can do:

Everyman, God gave priests that dignity,
And setteth them in his stead amount us to be;
Thus be they above angels in degree

Knowledge: If priests be good it is so surely;

Five-wits: I trust to God no such may we find;

Good-Deeds: Methinketh it is he indeed.

Everyman: Now Jesu be our alder speed*. * speed in help of all

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,

I will never part you fro:

Everyman, I will be as sure by the
As ever I did by Judas Maccabee.

Everyman: Alas, I am so faint I may not stand,

My limbs under me do fold;
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 the earth and there to sleep.

Beauty: What into this grave? Alas!

Everyman: Yea, there shall you 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: I cross out all this; adieu by
Saint John;

I take my cap in my lap and am gone.

Everyman: What, Beauty, whither will ye?

Beauty: Peace, I am deaf; I look not
behind me,

Not and thou would give me all the gold in thy chest.

Everyman: Alas, whereto may I trust?

Beauty goeth fast away hie;
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: Why, then ye will forsake me all.

Sweet Strength, tarry a little space.

Strength: Nay, sir, by thy rood of grace

I will hie me from thee fast,
Though thou weep till thy heart brast.

Everyman: 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: Strength, you to displease I am to blame;

Will you break promise that is debt?

Strength: In faith, I care not;

Thou art but a fool to complain,
You spend your speech and waste your brain;
Go thrust thee into the ground.

Everyman: I had went surer I should you have found.

He that trustest in his Strength
She him deceiveth at the length.
Both Strength and Beauty forsaketh me,
Yet they promise 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,

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.

Farewell, every one!

Everyman: O 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: Everyman, my leave now of thee I take;

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

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: 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 do go;

But not yet for no manner of danger.

Everyman: Gramercy, Knowledge, with all me heart.

Knowledge: Nay, yet I will not depart from hence depart,

Till I see where ye shall be come.

Everyman: Methinketh, alas, that I must be gone,

Good-Deeds: 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;

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: 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
That shall be saved at the day of doom.

In manus tuas- of might’s most

For ever- commendo spiritum meum.

Knowledge: Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure;

The Good-Deeds shall make all sure.
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:

Doctor: This moral men may have in
mind;

THUS
ENDETH THIS MORALL PLAY OF EVERYMAN.

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