Everyman - Page 2

Everyman | Everyman - Page 2

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 if I might have twelve years of waiting,(135)
My accounting-book I would make so clear
That my reckoning I should not need to fear.
Wherefore, Death, I pray thee, for God’s mercy,
Spare me till I be provided with a remedy!

Death.: It availeth thee not to cry, weep, and pray,(140)
But haste thee lightly, that thou mayest be on thy journey,
And make proof of thy friends, if thou can,
For, know thou well, time waiteth for no man,
And in the world each living creature
Because of Adam’s sin must die by nature.(145)

Everyman.: Death, if I should this pilgrimage take,
And my reckoning duly make,
Show me, for Saint Charity,
Should I not come again shortly?

Death.: No, Everyman, if once thou art there,(150)
Thou mayest nevermore come here,
Trust me, verily.

Everyman.: gracious God, in the high seat celestial,
Have mercy on me in this utmost need!
Shall I no company have from this vale terrestrial(155)
Of mine acquaintance that way me to lead?

Death.: Yea, if any be so hardy
As to go with thee and bear thee company.
Haste thee that thou mayest be gone to God’s magnificence,
Thy reckoning to give before his presence.(160)
What, thinkest thou thy life is given thee,
And thy worldly goods also?

Death.: Nay, nay, it was but lent to thee,
For, as soon as thou dost go,(165)
Another a while shall have it and then even so,
Go therefore as thou hast done.
Everyman, thou art mad! Thou hast thy wits five,
And here on earth will not amend thy life,
For suddenly I do come!(170)

Everyman.: O wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee
That I may escape this endless sorrow!
Nay, gentle Death, spare me until to-morrow
That I may amend me
With good avisement!(175)

Death.: Nay, thereto I will not consent,
Nor no man respite, if I might,
But to the heart suddenly I shall smite
Without any “advisement.”
And now out of thy sight I will me hie,(180)
See that thou make thee ready speedily,
For thou mayest say this is the day
Wherefrom no man living may escape away.

Everyman.: Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep!
Now have I no manner of company(185)
To help me on my journey and me to keep,
And also my writing is all unready.
What can I do that may excuse me!
I would to God I had never been begot!
To my soul a full great profit it would be,(190)
For now I fear pains huge and great, God wot!
The time passeth—help, Lord, that all things wrought!
For, though I mourn, yet it availeth naught.
The day passeth and is almost through,
I wot not well of aught that I may do.(195)
To whom were it best that I my plaint should make?
What if to Fellowship I thereof spake,
And what this sudden chance should mean disclosed?
For surely in him is all my trust reposed—
We have in the world so many a day(200)
Been 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 a good morrow!(205)

[Enter Fellowship.

Fellowship speaketh:: I wish thee good morrow, Everyman, by this day!
Sir, why lookest thou so piteously?
If anything be amiss, prithee to me it say
That I may help in remedy.

Fellowship.: My true friend, show to me your mind.
I will not forsake thee to my live’s end,
In the way of good company.

Fellowship.: Sir, I must needs know your heaviness.
I have pity to see you in any distress.
If any have wronged you, revenged ye shall be,
Though I upon the ground be slain for thee,
Even should I know before that I should die.(220)

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 unfold,
And you then were to turn your heart from me,(225)
And no comfort would give when I had told,
Then should I ten times sorrier be.

Everyman.: Then you be a good friend at need.
I have found you true heretofore.(230)

Fellowship.: And so ye shall evermore,
For, in faith, if thou goest 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, if so I may!(235)

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.(240)

Everyman.: I shall show you how it is:
Commanded I am to go a journey,
A long way hard and dangerous,
And give a strict account without delay
Before the High Judge, Adonai.(245)
Wherefore, I pray you, bear me company,
As ye have promised, on this journey.

Fellowship.: That is matter, indeed! Promise is duty—
But if I should take such a voyage on me,
I know well it should be to my pain;(250)
Afeard also it maketh me, for certain.
But let us take counsel here as well as we can,
For your words would dismay a strong man.

Everyman.: Why, if I had need, ye said
Ye would never forsake me, quick nor dead,(255)
Though it were to hell truly!

Fellowship.: So I said certainly,
But such pleasant things be set aside, the truth to say;
And also, if we took such a journey,
When should we come again?(260)

Fellowship.: In faith, then, will I not come there.
Who hath you these tidings brought?

Fellowship.: Now, by God that all hath bought,(265)
If Death were the messenger,
For no man living here below
I will not that loathly journey go—
Not for the father that begat me!

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