Everyman - Page 3

Everyman | Everyman - Page 3

Fellowship.: I know well I do say so, truly,
And still, if thou wilt eat and drink and make good cheer,
Or haunt of women the merry company,
I would not forsake you while the day is clear,
Trust me, verily.(275)

Everyman.: Yea, thereto ye would be ready!
To go to mirth, solace, and play,
Your mind would sooner persuaded be
Than to bear me company on my long journey.

Fellowship.: Now, in good sooth, I have no will that way—(280)
But if thou would’st murder, or any man kill,
In that I will help thee with a good will.

Everyman.: Oh, that is simple advice, indeed!
Gentle Fellowship, help me in my necessity!
We have loved long, and now I am in need!(285)
And now, gentle Fellowship, remember me!

Fellowship.: Whether ye have loved me or no,
By Saint John, I will not with thee go!

Everyman.: Yea, I pray thee, take this task on thee and do so much for me,
As to bring me forward on my way for Saint Charity,(290)
And comfort me till I come without the town.

Fellowship.: Nay, if thou wouldest give me a new gown,
I will not a foot with thee go.
But, if thou hadst tarried, I would not have left thee so.
And so now, God speed thee on thy journey,(295)
For from thee I will depart as fast as I may!

Everyman.: Farewell, good Fellowship,—for thee my heart is sore.
Adieu forever, I shall see thee no more!(300)

Fellowship.: In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the ending.
For you I will remember that parting is grieving.

[Fellowship goes.

Everyman.: Alack! Shall we thus part indeed?
Ah, Lady, help! Lo, vouchsafing no more comfort,
Fellowship thus forsaketh me in my utmost need.(305)
For help in this world whither shall I resort?
Fellowship heretofore with me would merry make,
And now little heed of my sorrow doth he take.
It is said in prosperity men friends may find
Which in adversity be full unkind.(310)
Now whither for succor shall I flee,
Since that Fellowship hath forsaken me?
To my kinsmen will I truly,
Praying them to help me in my necessity.
I believe that they will do so(315)
For “Nature will creep where it may not go.”

[Kindred and Cousin enter.
I will go try, for yonder I see them go.
Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen, lo?

Kindred.: Here we be now at your commandment.
Cousin, I pray you show us your intent(320)
In any wise and do not spare.

Cousin.: Yea, Everyman, and to us declare
If ye be disposed to go any whither,
For, wit you well, we will live and die together!

Kindred.: In wealth and woe we will with you hold,(325)
For “with his own 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.(330)
He bade me go a pilgrimage to my pain,
And I know well I shall never come again;
And I must give a reckoning strait,
For I have a great enemy that lieth for me in wait,
Who intendeth me to hinder.(335)

Everyman.: Of all my works I must show
How I have lived and my days have spent,
Also of evil deeds to which I have been used(340)
In my time, since life was to me lent,
And of all virtues that I have refused.
Therefore, I pray you, go thither with me
To help to make my account, for Saint Charity!

Cousin.: What, to go thither? Is that the matter?(345)
Nay, Everyman, I had liefer fast on bread and water
All this five year and more!

Everyman.: Alas, that ever my mother me bore!
For now shall I never merry be,
If that you forsake me!(350)

Kindred.: Ah, sir, come! Ye be a merry man!
Pluck up heart and make no moan.
But one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne,
As for me, ye shall go alone!

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 utmost need.

Kindred.: It availeth not us to coax and court.
Ye shall have my maid, with all my heart.(360)
She loveth to go to feasts, there to make foolish sport
And to dance, and in antics to take part.
To help you on that journey I will give her leave willingly,
If so be that you and she may agree.

Everyman.: Now show me the very truth within your mind—(365)
Will you go with me or abide behind?

Kindred.: Abide behind? Yea, that I will, if I may—
Therefore farewell till another day!

Everyman.: How shall I be merry or glad?—
For fair promises men to me make,(370)
But, when I have most need, they me forsake!
I am deceived—that maketh me sad!

Cousin.: Cousin Everyman, farewell now, lo!
For, verily, I will not with thee go.
Also of mine own an unready reckoning,(375)
I have to give account of, therefore I make tarrying.
Now God keep thee, for now I go!

[Kindred and Cousin go.

Everyman.: Ah, Jesus, is all to this come so?
Lo, “fair words make fools fain,”
They promise, and from deeds refrain.(380)
My kinsmen promised me faithfully
For to abide by me stedfastly,
And now fast away do they flee.
Even so Fellowship promised me.
What friend were it best for me to provide?(385)
I am losing my time longer here to abide.
Yet still in my mind a thing there is,
All my life I have loved riches.
If that my Goods now help me might,
He would make my heart full light.(390)
To him will I speak in my sorrow this day.
My Goods and Riches, where art thou, pray?

[Goods is disclosed hemmed in by chests and bags.

Goods.: Who calleth me? Everyman? Why this haste thou hast?
I lie here in corners trussed and piled so high,
And in chests I am locked so fast,(395)
Also sacked in bags, thou mayest see with thine eye,
I cannot stir; in packs, full low I lie.
What ye would have, lightly to me say.

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