W
O RD
F O RE
M M
w
HE
oral ity or
oral Pl ay
of
Ev e ry m an
here re
i
fi
a
e
r
n
t
e
d
ubl
s
h
d
rs
t
i
s
p
p
by ! oh n Scott o r S k ot of
L ondon a b o ut th e y ea r 1 52 9
A s e cond e d ition by Sc ott a n d
two ed itions by a nother Tu dor printe r or pub
lishe r o f th e n am e o f Py n so n a ppe a re d d u r
Sinc e th e n it h as
ing th e s ix t ee nth c e ntu ry
b ee n not m ore than two or th ree tim e s t e
r
n
t
d
m
os
t
no
t
a
bly
by
H
a
w
k
i
ns
a
n
d
by
i
e
p
H azlitt T h e co py of th e p lay in H awk ins s
as tak e n
O rigin o f th e E ngl ish D r am a
from a b lac k lette r copy pre s e rve d in the
”
libra ry of th e chu rc h o f Linco l n so ld
afte rw a rds it is s aid w ith o th e rs t o D ibdin
th e b ib liograph e r fo r five hu ndre d gu ine a s
A Ge rm a n sch o l a r Goe dek e tra ce s the de
!
]
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w
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“
’
-
!
,
,
,
,
,
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,
,
,
ve lop m en t
M
of
th e th e m e
W
th e
of
m orality
in
an H om u la s an d H e ka stu s
Every
i
a
i
n
e
e
i
u
bl
s
h
d
H
no
v
r
n
8
1
6
n
a
d
;
p
5
Eve rym a n to h is
! a rew H azlitt a dd e d
”
e dition o f D odsley s
O ld Play s pu blish e d
Th e t ex t h ere u s e d is
in L ondon in 1 874
th at o f H azlitt s v e rsion whic h a s b a s e d
up on a co llation o f th e two e ditions of
T h e origin al s
Py n son w ith on e o f Scott
o f th e c ut s h ere s h own a re th e titl e page
a n d f o u r fi gu re s o f th e Scott e d ition
”
Th e co mp os ition o f Ev e rym a n
is of a
mu ch ea rlie r d ate prob ably th an th at of the
I t is pl a c e d by ! Payn e ! o l
first e d itions
Th e H ist ory o f D ram atic
lie r a uth or o f
”
Po et ry a n d Anna l s o f the E nglish Stage
ev e n so fa r b a c k a s th e re ign o f E dw a rd
T h e p iec e s e em s ea rly to h av e h ad
I!
consid e ra bl e v ogu e an d p opul a rity I t as
t ra ns late d int o D utch a s we ll a s int o Ge rm a n
a n d L at in a n d no do ubt in its own E ngla nd
a s a fav orit e s ubj e c t o f r e pr e s e nt ation by
tr av ell ing compan ie s at fe a sts a n d h o lid ay s
or by n ob le m en s tro upe s o f pl aye rs in the
ith in th e last two y ea rs
hall s o f ca stles
th e El iza b eth an Stage Soc iety of L ondon
r B en Greet h as
u nd e r th e d ir e ction o f
re vived th is b eautiful m oral ity an d give n
v
i
]
[
his
-
”
,
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’
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’
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w
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-
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W
w
.
w
,
’
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M
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,
,
,
,
W
nota b le a n d t o u ching p e rfor ma nc e s o f it
viewe d by m any hu ndre ds o f p ersons in
E ngland an d Am eric a
e m ay b ring o u rs e lv e s into re l ation
”
with th e m otive o f this play say s the late
k
e
i
r
h
h
a
S
m
onds
n
i
s
S
e
s
r
e
s
A
p
I
y
”
P re d ec e ssors in th e E ngl ish D ram a
by
stu dy ing th e wood c uts in Q u een El izabeth s
Praye r B oo k or any on e o f th e D anc e s o f
T h e frontis
D eath a scrib ed t o Ho lb ein
i
a
n
e
c
to
Ev
r
ym
n
r
c
a
ll
s
o
f
t
h
os
e
e
e
e
o
e
p
rem orse le ss m editations on th e gr ave A!
fine gentl e man of th e co u rt o f H enry ! I I
is wa lk ing with h is h at u p on his h ea d an d
owers
a c h a in a ro u nd his n e c k a m ong th e fl
o f a m e adow D eath the skeleton h alf
c l oth e d in a l oose sh ro u d an d h olding in
his arm th e cov e r o f a s epulc h re b ec k ons
to this gallant from a c hu rc hyard full o f
Life is thu s b ro ught
b ones an d cro ss e s
int o a b rupt co ll ision w ith th e co l d
H ic
a
a
h
c
e
e
a
n
d
hi
m
o
f
d
d
w
h
o
r
u
s
e
t
s
t
l
e
j
th e re
T h e th e m e o f
is th at o f
Everyman
T h e s umm on ing o f
un ive rsal m orta lity
Everyman c all ed it is
Every m a n that
u st so me day die T he pl ay b egins
with a sort o f pro l ogue spok en by a m e s
,
,
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M
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vii
\
W
w
s enger c a lling upon the a u die nc e to give
”
e a r to
o u r H eave n ! ing
God speaks
an d co
world for its m a m a
orn H e
,
m
.
to go to Ev erym an an d b id h im m ak e h is
i
l
i
gr
m
g
D
ath finds Ev e rym a n a n d de
a
e
e
p
liv ers h is m e ss ag e t o h im wh e n h e h a s D e ath
le a st in m ind
H e o ffe rs D eath go ld to b e
let o il, but gets on ly th e pr iv ilege o f a s k ing
c e rt ain o f h is friends if th ey w ill go with h im
u pon h is j o u rn ey H e a ccosts w ith
u e st fi rst F ellowship th e n ! indre d
a n d G ood D e e ds
.
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q
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,
,
,
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m
W
W
! indre d s e e s no re ason why
”
fo llow ! o u sin Ev erym a n on
a
w
ay
w e ary an d Goods gre e dy an d o f th e
world will fo llow no m an in s u ch v oy
”
l
l
D
G
ood
ee
ds
wo
u
d
f
o
l
ow
ag e s
i
y
A
Eve rym an bu t a las ! as she s ay s :
,
,
“
,
.
,
H ere
,
I lie cold in the ground ;
,
sins have me so sore bound
T hat I cannot stir
T hy
.
Sh e is, h ow eve r,
Sh e s e nds h im to
tu rn lea ds h im to
w
o f s e rvic e to Eve r m an
e,
11
viii
.
ho
y
in
h en
!
.
her
on
f
W
Ww
”
Eve rym a n an d g1v en
h im a b rown c lo ak o f sorrow a n d pena nc e
Good D eeds is strong a gain and can wa lk
”
an d go
a n d a cco m p a n ie d by Stre ngth D is
it s Eve rym a n
cretion B e auty a n d Five
w ith ! nowle dge an d Good D ee ds s et s o ut
on th e in evitab le p ath to the tomb Y et at
th e b rin k o f th e grav e Stre ngth D iscre t ion
B e a uty a n d Five
it s t oo tak e fright an d
n
d
!
i
a b a ndon h im
a
ows
h
ndr
d
a s Fe l
l
i
e
_
p
G oods had don e Eve ry ma n grows fe eble
alse
he a rt e d at the d e se rtion o f th e s e fg
friends but tu rns to Good D e eds with a n e
light
fess1on ha s
shn v e n
,
,
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,
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H
,
m
——
u
d
,
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~
w
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‘
w
Gramercy Good Deeds n o may I true friends
see
They have forsak en me every one
I loved them b ett er than my good deeds alone
,
,
.
.
Good D e e ds stands by
gra ve
h im
e
in th e
ve n
.
A ll earthly th ings is but vanity
,
B eauty , S tren gt h ,
and Discretion do man forsake
F oolish friends and kinsmen that fair spak e
”
All fi eeth save Good Deeds and th at am I
,
,
,
.
Su pp orte d an d cha sten ed by G ood D eeds
Everym a n dying comm e nds h is Spirit into
,
,
ix
s h ands and de sc ends into th e
As the grave c l ose s at la st o ver
grave
h im an d G ood D e eds a n a nge l s ings
el
co m ing h is cleanse d so ul into the h eaven ly
”
sphe re
S
the
L ord
’
,
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,
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“
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w
M
.
.
HER E BEGI NN ET H A TREATIS E HOW TH E
HIGH FATHER OF HEA! E N SENDETH
D EATH TO S ! MMON E! ERY CREAT ! RE
TO C O ME AN D GI! E ACCO ! NT OF THEIR
LI ! ES IN THIS W O RLD AND IS IN MAN
NER O F A M O RA L PLAY
,
fl
t fifi
mnt t
’
you all give your audience
And hear this ma tter with reverence
By figure a moral play ;
The Summoning o f Everyman
called it is
That of our lives and ending shows
Ho
transitory we be all day :
This ma tter is wonders precious
But the intent o f it is more gracious
And sweet to bear away
The story sa ith : man in th e begin ning
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
I
1
[
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[
]
PRAY
,
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w
Here shall you see how Fello ship and ! ollity
Both Strength Pleasure and Beauty
Will fade from thee as flower in May
F or ye shall hear how o ur Heaven King
Calleth Everyman to a general reckonin g
Give audie n ce and h e ar what he doth say
,
,
,
,
.
,
G ! I!
speaketb
perceive here in my Majesty
How that all creature s be to me unkind
Living without dread in worldly prosperity
O f ghostly sight the people be so blind
Drowned in sin they knew me not for their God ;
I n worldly riches is all their mind
They fear not my right ise n ess the sharp rod
My law that I showed when I for them died
They forget cl ean and shedding o f my blood red
I hanged between two it can not be denied ;
To get them life I suffered to be dead ;
I he al ed 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
Th
ey u se t e seve n de dly sins damn able
a
h
w w
q
As pride covetise rath an d lech ery
N o fff ifié afl
de commendable
d be a
And thus they leave of angels the heavenl y company
Every m an liveth so a fter his own pleasure
An d yet of their life they be nothing sure :
I see the more that I them fo rbear
The worse they be from year to year ;
All that liveth appaireth fast
Therefore I will in all the haste
I
,
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s
N
W
w
—H
i
!
v
,
‘
‘
w
m
“
H
,
’
‘
,
wm
,
,
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“
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,
[
2
]
,
Have a reckoning o f every man s person ;
For and I leave the pe ople thus al o ne
In their life and wicked tempests
ill become much wo rse than bea sts ;
! erily they
For n o one would by envy an other up eat ;
Charity they do all clean forget
I hoped well that every man
In my glory should make his man sio n
And thereto I had th em al l elect ;
But now I see like traitors deject
They thank me not for the pleasure that I to them
mean t
Nor yet for their being that I the m hav e lent ;
I pro ff ered the people great multitude of mercy
And few there be that asketh it heartly
They be so cumbered with worldly riches
That n eeds on them I must do justice
On every man living without fear
Wh ere art thou Death thou mighty messenger!
’
,
w
w
,
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,
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,
,
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,
,
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,
,
B u tt)
Almighty God I am here at your will
Your commandment to fulfil
,
,
.
Go thou to Everyman
And show h im in my name
,
take
Which he in no wise may escape ;
And that he b ring with him a sure reckonin g
Without delay or any tarrying
,
!
.
[
3
]
B eat!)
Lord I will in the world go run over all
And cruelly out search both great and smal l ;
Every ma n will I beset that liveth beastly
,
,
-
,
O ut
’
of God s laws and dreadeth not folly
He that loveth riches I will stri ke with my dart
His sight to blind and fro heaven to depart
Except that aims be his good friend
I n hell for to dwell
orld witho ut end
Lo yonder I see Everym an wal king :
Full little he thinketh on my coming
His mind is on fieshly lusts and his treasure
And great pain it shfi l cause him to endure
Before the Lord heaven s King
Everyman stand still ; whither art thou going
Thus gaily ! Hast thou thy Maker forgot !
,
,
,
w
,
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,
’
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,
,
E bernmau
Why askest thou !
Wouldest thou wit !
B u tt)
Yea sir I will show you ; in great haste I
to thee
Fro G od out of his Majesty
,
,
.
i ncrement
What ! sent
to
me !
B u tt)
Yea certainly
Though you hav e forgot him he re
,
[
4
]
,
,
He thinketh on thee in the heavenl y sphere ;
A s ere we depart th ou shalt know
,
.
,
E berg mau
What desireth God of me !
That shall I show thee ;
A reckoning he will needs have
Without any lenger respite
.
E hzrgmau
w
To give a reckoning longer leisure I crave ;
This blind matter troubleth my it
.
B u tt)
O n 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 ;
F or before God thou shal t an swer and show
Thy many bad deeds and good but a few
How thou hast spent thy life and in what wise
,
,
,
,
,
,
Before the chief lord of paradi se
Have ado that we were in that way
For wit thou well thou shal t make none attorney
.
,
,
,
E bzrgmau
Full unready I am such reckoning to give
I kn ow thee not ; what messenger art thou !
[
5
]
.
B rat!)
m Death that no ma n dreadeth
For every man I rrest and n o man spareth
I
a
,
’
,
For it is God s commandment
That al l to me shoul d b e obedient
,
’
.
E bergmau
Death thou comest when I had thee least in mind ;
I n thy power it l ieth me to save ;
Yet of my good will I give thee if thou will b e kind
Y ea a thousand po unds shal t thou have
thou defer thismatter till another day
0
,
_
,
,
,
,
.
mu tt)
Everyman it may not be by n o way ;
I set not by gold silver nor riches
Ne by pope emperor king duke n e princes ;
F or and I would receive gi fts great
All the world I might get ;
But my custom is clean contrary
I give thee no respite come hence an d not tarry
,
,
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E nt rgmau
Alas ! shall I have no lenger respite !
may say Death giveth no warning
To think on thee it maketh my heart sick
For all unready is my b ook of reckoning :
But [for ] twelve year and I might have ab iding
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 b e provided of remedy
I
,
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,
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’
,
,
,
,
.
[
6
]
,
.
B rat!)
Thee availeth not to cry weep and pray
,
,
But haste thee lightly that thou we rt g one
journey ;
And prove thy friends if thou can ;
For wit thou well the tide abideth no man
And in the world each living creature
For Adam s sin must die of nature
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
m
e
n
t
E nt ra
p
Death i f I should this pilgrimage t ake
And my reckoning surely make
Show me for S aint Charity
Should I not come ag ain shortly !
,
,
,
,
,
B rat!)
No Everym an an d thou be once there
Thou mayest never more come here
T rust me verily
,
,
,
,
.
E v eryman
O gracious God in the high seat celestial
3 5
Have mercy on me in this most need
Shall I have no company from this vale terre strial
Of mine ac uaince that way me to lead !
,
,
q
.
,
D eath
Yea i f any be so hardy
That would go with thee and bear thee company
Hie thee that thou were gone to God s magnificence
,
,
,
’
[
7
]
,
w
Thy reckoning to give before his presen ce
een e st thou thy life is given th ee
What
And thy worldly goods al so !
,
I had
w
een
’
d
.
,
E v eryman
so
verily
.
D eath
Nay nay ; it was but lend thee ;
For as soon as thou art gone
Another awhile shall have it and then go therefro
Even as thou hast done
Everyman thou art mad thou hast thy wits five
And here on earth ill not amend thy life ;
F or suddenly I do come
,
,
,
,
w
.
,
,
,
.
E v eryman
O wretched caitiff whither shal l I flee !
That I might escape this endless so rrow !
Now gentle Death spare me till to morrow
That I may amend me
With good advisement
,
,
-
,
.
D eath
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 ill me h e
See thou make thee ready shortly
N ay,
,
w
.
,
[
8
]
,
,
For thou mayest say this is the day
That no man living may scape away
,
’
.
D bergmaa
Alas ! I may well weep with sighs deep
Now have I no man ner of company
To help me in my journey and me to keep
And al so my writing is full unready
Ho shall I do n o for to excuse me !
I would to God I had never be got ;
To my soul a full great profit it had be ;
For n o I fear pains huge and great
The time passeth : Lord help that all wrought !
For though I mourn it availeth nought :
The day pass eth an d is almost ago ;
I wot not well what for to do
To whom were I best my complaint to make !
What and I tg FeHovgship thereo f spake
And showed him of this sudden chance !
For in him is all mine affian ce ;
We have in the world so many a day
Be good friends in S port and play
I see him yonder certainly
I trust that he will he ar me company
Therefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow
Well met goo d F ellowship and good morrow
w
w
w
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
'
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
fellowship speaketb
Everyman good morrow by this day
Sir why lookest thou so piteously !
If anything be amiss I pray thee me
Th at I may help to remedy
,
,
,
,
,
.
[
9
]
,
E v eryman
Yea good F ellowship yea ;
I am in great jeopardy
,
,
.
fellowship
My tru e friend show to me your mind ;
I will not fo rsake thee to my life s en d
In the way of good company
,
’
,
,
.
E v eryman
That was well spoken and lovingly
.
w
lj ip
f i lloh m
Sir I must needs kno your heaviness ;
I h ave pity to see you in any distress :
If any have you wronged ye shall revenged b e
Th ough I on the ground be slain for thee ;
Though that I know before that I should die
,
,
.
E v eryman
!
erily Fellowsh ip gramercy
,
,
i lloh
.
lj fp
m
f
Tush ! by thy thanks I set not a straw ;
Show me your grief and say no more
.
,
E v eryman
If I my heart should to you break
And then you to turn your mind fro me
And would not me comfort when ye hear
Then should I ten times sorrier be
,
,
,
.
[
10
]
,
fellowship
Sir I say as I will do in deed
.
,
E nt ryman
Then be you a goo d friend at need
I have foun d you true here be fore
-
.
fellowship
And so ye shall evermore ;
For in faith and thou go to hell
I ill not forsake thee by the way
w
,
,
.
E v eryman
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 grie f of your mind
As to your friend most loving an d kind
,
,
.
E v eryman
I shall show you how it is :
Commanded I am to go a journey
A long way hard and dangerous ;
And give a strait account without delay
Before the High Judge A donai ;
Wherefore I pray you bear me company
As ye have promised in this journey
,
,
,
,
.
[
11
]
,
,
mabfp
ello
f
That is matter indeed ; promise is duty
But and I should take such a voyage on me
I know it well it shoul d be to my pain :
Also it make [s ] me afeard certain
But let us take counse l here as well as we can
For your words would fear a strong man
,
,
,
.
,
.
D bergmau
Why ye said i f I had need
Ye would m e never forsake uick
Though it were to hell truly
,
,
q
,
,
dead
ne
,
.
fellowship
So I said certainly ;
But such pleasures be set aside the sooth to say
And also if ye took such a journey
When should we come again !
,
,
,
fi bergmaa
Nay never again till
,
th e
day of doom
fellowship
In faith th en will not I come there
Wh o hath you th ese tidings brought !
,
D ut chman
Indeed Death was with me here
,
.
fellowship
Now by God that all hath bought
I f Death we re the messenger
,
,
[
I2
]
,
.
w
is liv ing to day
I ill not go that loath journey
Not for the father that begat me
For no man
that
-
,
.
E v eryman
Ye promised otherwise pardy
,
.
fellow ship
I wot well I said so truly
And yet if thou ilt eat an d drink and make
cheer
Or haunt to women th e lusty compan y
I would not forsake you while the day is
Trust me verily
w
,
,
,
,
,
.
E v eryman
Yea th ereto ye would be ready ;
T o go to mirth solace and play
Your mind will sooner apply
Than to bear me c ompany in my
,
,
,
r
ou
ney
j
w
fellow ship
Now in goo d faith I will not that ay
But an d thou will murder or any man kill
In that I will help thee with a good will
,
,
,
,
,
.
D berg maa
Oh that is a simple advice indeed
Ge ntle fellows [hip ] help me in my necessity
We have loved long and now I need
And now gentle Fellowship remember me
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
[
13
]
.
msbm
t llo
f
Whether ye have loved me or no
By Saint John I will not with thee go
,
,
.
E v eryman
Yet I pray thee take the labour and do so much
for me
To bring me for ard for Saint Charity
And comfort me till I come without the town
w
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
~
.
wgw
w
fellowship
n
Nay an d thou ouldg ive me a ne g
I will not a foot with thee go ;
But and thou had tarried I would not have
thee so :
And as now God speed thee in thy journey !
For from thee I will depart as fast as I may
,
~
,
'
,
,
.
,
E nt ryman
Whithe r away F ellowship ! will you forsake me !
,
Yea by my fay ;
,
fellowship
to God I betake thee
.
D berm
uau
Farewell good Fellowship ; for this my heart is sore
Adieu for ever I shall see thee no more
,
.
,
fellows hip
In faith Ev eryman farewell now at the end ;
For you I will remember that parting is mournin g
,
,
[
I4
]
.
D bergman
Alack ! shall we thus depart in deed
0 Lady help with out any more comfort
Lo F ellowship forsaketh me in my most need
For help in t his world whither shall I resort !
Fell owship here before with me would merry make ;
And now little sorrow for me doth he take
It is said in pro spe rity men frien ds may find
Which in adversity be full unkind
Now whither for succour shall I flee
Sith that F ellowship hath forsaken me
To my kinsmen I ill truly
Praying th em 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 an d kinsmen [lo ! ]
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
w
,
,
,
.
,
w
D imm
er
Here be we n o at your commandment
Cousin I pray thee show us your inten t
In any wise and do not spare
,
,
.
,
t annin
Yea Everyman and to us declare
I f ye be disposed to go any whither ;
For wot ye well we will live an d die tog ether
,
,
,
,
mm:
3 11
In we alth an d woe we will with you hold
For over his kin a man may be bold
.
[
15
]
.
E v eryman
Gram ercy my friends an d kin smen kind
N ow shall I show you the grief of my mind
,
,
I was comman ded by a messenger
That is an high king s chief ofi cer
He bad me go on pilgrima ge to my pain
.
,
’
,
But I know well I shal l never come again
Also I must give a reckoning strait ;
For I have a great enemy th at h ath m e in wait
Which intendet h me for to hinder
,
.
D imm
er
What account is that which ye must render!
That would I know
.
E v eryman
Of all my work s I must show
How I have lived an d my days spent ;
Also of ill deeds that I have u sed
In my time sith life was me lent
And of all v irtues that I have re fused
Therefore I pray you go thither with me
To h elp to make mine account for Saint Charity
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Qtousfa
What to go th ither ! Is that the matter !
N ay Everyman I had liever fast bread an d
All this five year and more
,
,
,
.
w
D bergmau
Alas that ever I a s bore !
F or now shall I never be merry
I f that you forsake me
,
,
'
.
w
ater,
B in area
Ah sir ! what ye b e a merry man !
’
’
,
,
Take good heart to you and make no moan
But on e thing I warn you by S aint Anne
As for me ye shall go alone
,
,
.
,
.
E nt ryman
My
cousin will you not with me go !
,
0 01mi“
.
No by our lady I have the cramp in my toe
T rust not to me ; for so God me speed
I will deceive you in your most need
,
,
,
,
.
mm:
3 11
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
,
,
,
.
E v eryman
No show me the very e ffect of your mind
Will you go with me or abide behind !
,
,
B fnarea
’
’
Abide behind ! yea that will I and I may
Therefore farewell till another day
,
,
.
w
F
Ho
E v er yman
should I be merry or glad !
or fair promises men to me make ;
2
I
[ ]
[
7 ]
,
But when I have most need they me forsake ;
I am deceived that maketh me sad
,
,
,
.
! tannin
Cousin Everyman farewell now ;
For verily I will not go with you
Also of mine own life an unready reckoning
I have to account therefore I make tarrying ;
Now God keep thee for now I go
,
,
,
A h Jesu is
.
come hereto !
Lo fair words maketh fools fain ;
They promise an d nothing will do certain
My kinsmen promised me faithfully
For to abide with me ste adfastlyf
And now fast away do they flee :
Even so F ellowship 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 th at my Goo d n o help me might
It would make my heart full light
I will speak to him in this distress
Where art thou my Goods and Riches !
,
,
al l
,
,
,
,
.
W
w
,
,
G oons
calleth me ! Everyman ! what hast thou haste !
I lie here in corners trussed and piled so high
And in chests I am locked so fast
Also sacked in bags thou mayest see ith thine eye
ho
,
,
,
[
1
8
]
w
,
,
That thine acc ount thou cannot
And
make truly ;
that hast th ou for the love of me
.
D ht rgmau
T hat would gri eve me full so re
Wh en I sh ould come to that fearful answer
! p and let us go th ither together
,
,
.
G oons
Nay not so ; I am too brittle I may not endure
I will follow no man one foot be ye sure
,
,
.
,
fi bergmau
Alas ! I have thee loved and ha d great pleasure
All my life days on my good and treasure
,
-
.
G oons
T hat
is to thy damnatio n without lesing
For my love is contrary to the love everl asting ;
But if than had me loved moderately during
As to the poor give part for the love of me
Then shouldest thou not in this dolour have be
Nor in this great sorrow and care
,
,
W
w
,
,
.
fi bergmau
Lo no was I deceived ere I was ware
A nd all I may wete mis spending of time
,
,
hat
,
,
,
,
w
-
G oons
th ou that I am thine !
en est
fi berg mau
I had
went so
.
.
W
G oons
N ay Everyman I 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 on e a thousand I do spill
ee n e st thou that I will follow th ee !
N ay not fro this world verily
’
,
,
.
,
,
fi berg mau
I had ween ed otherwise
.
G o ons
Therefore to thy soul Good is a thief
For when thou art dead this is my guise
Another to deceive in the sam e wise
As I have do thee and all to his soul s reprefe
,
,
,
,
’
,
”3 21321113 “
curs ed may thou be
Good
Thou traitor to God tho m hasLd eceive i me
And caught me in thy snare
0 false
,
.
,
,
,
.
G o nna
Marry thou brought thysel f in care
Whereof I am ri ght glad
I must needs laugh I cannot be sad
,
,
,
.
D hergman
Ah Goo d th ou hast had long my hearty love ;
I gave thee that which sh ould be th e Lord s above
,
,
’
[
21
]
But wilt th ou not g o with me
I pray thee truth to say
in deed !
.
w
G oons
No so God me speed ;
Therefo re fare ell and have good day
,
,
D hergman
to whom shal l I make my moan
For to go with me in th at heavy journ ey !
First Fellowship he said he would ith me gone ;
His words were ve ry pleasant and gay
But afterward he left me alone
The n spake I to my kinsmen all in despair
And al so they gave me words fair
They lacked no fair speaking ;
But al l fo rsake me in the ending
Then went I to my Goods that I loved best
In hope to have
but there had I l east
For my Goo ds sharply did me tell
That he b r ngeth m anx in hell
Then of myself I was asham ed
And so I am worthy to be blamed
Thus may I well myself hate
Of whom shall I now counsel take !
I think that I shall never speed
T ill that I go to my Goo d Deed
But alas ! she is so weak
That she can nother go nor speak
Yet ill I venter on her now
My Goo d Deeds wh ere be you !
O h,
w
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
i
.
,
.
,
,
w
,
.
,
[
22
]
G O DII B a h”
Here I lie cold in the ground ;
Thy sin s have me so so re boun d
That I cannot stir
,
.
fi bergmau
Good Deeds I stand in great fear ;
I must you pray of coun sel
For help now should come right well
0
,
,
.
G oon m m
Everyman I have underst anding
That thou art summoned accoun t to make
Before Messias of Jerusalem King ;
And you do by me that journ ey with you ill I take
,
,
w
,
D hergmau
Th erefore I come to you my moan to
I pray you that ye will go ith me
w
,
make
.
G oon D eena
I would full fain but I cannot stand verily
,
.
D hergmau
Why is th ere anything on you fall !
,
G oon D eena
sir I may th ank you of all ;
I f ye had pe rfectly cheered me
Your boo k of acco unt full ready now h ad be
Look the books o f your works and deeds eke !
Y ea,
,
,
.
,
[
23
]
.
Behold how th ey lie under th e feet
To your soul s heaviness
,
’
.
fi bergmau
Our Lord Jesus help me
F or one letter herein can I not
,
see
.
G oon D eena
Here is a blin d reckoning in time of distress !
fi bergmau
Good Deeds I p ray you help me in th is
Or else I am for ever damned in deed
Therefore help me to make my reckoning
Before the Redee mer of all thing
That king is and was and ever shall
,
,
,
,
.
,
G oon D eena
w
Everyman I am sorry of your fall
And fain ould I help you and I were able
,
,
,
.
fi berg mau
Good Deeds your counsel I pray you give me
,
,
,
G oo n D eena
That shall I do verily :
Though that on my feet I may not go
I have a sist er that sh all with you al so
w
,
,
Called Knowledge which shal l ith you abide
T o he lp yo u to make that dreadful recko ning
,
.
[
24
]
,
.
w
D immers:
ill go with thee and be thy guide
In thy most nee d to go by thy side
Everyman I
,
,
,
.
fi bergmau
In good con dition I am now in every th ing
And am wholly content with this goo d thing
Thanked be God my Creature
,
,
.
G oo n D eena
And when he hath brought the e th ere
Whe re thou shalt heal th ee of thy smart
Then go thou ith thy reckoni ng and thy
togeth er
For to make thee joyful at the hea rt
Before th e b lessed T rinity
w
,
,
dee ds
,
.
D herg mau
My Good D eeds I thank th ee heartfully
I am well content certainly
With your word s sweet
,
.
B uchanan:
Now go we toget her lov in gly
To Confession that cleansing river
,
.
D herg man
For
j
oy
I weep : I would we there were ;
But I pray you to instruct me by intellection
Whe re dwelleth that holy virtue Co nfession
[
25
]
,
3 11011111113 :
house of salvation ;
We shall find him in that place
That shall us comfort by God s grace
Lo this is Confession : kneel down an d ask mercy
For he i s in good conceit with God Almighty
I n the
,
’
.
,
,
.
E bergman
O glorious fountain that al l un cleanne ss doth clari fy
Wash from me th e spots of vices un clean
That on me no sin may be seen ;
I come with Knowledge for my redemption
Redempt
ith heart and full contrition
For I am commanded a pilgrimage to take
And great accounts before Go d to make
Now I pray you Shrift mother of sal vation
Help hith er my good deeds for my piteous exclamation
,
,
w
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
Granteaafou
I kn ow your sorrow well Everyman
w
w
,
Because with Knowledge ye come to me
I ill you comfort as well as I can ;
And a precious jewel I ill give thee
Called penan ce voider o f adversity
There ith shall your body chastised be
With abstinence and perseverance in God s service ;
Here sh all you receive that scourge of me
Which is penance strong that ye must endure
Remember thy Saviour as scourged fo r th ee
With sharp scourges and suffered it patiently
S o mu st th ou ere thou pass thy pilgrimage
w
,
,
,
’
w
,
,
,
.
,
[
26
]
.
Mirror of j oy foundation o f mercy
Which enlumineth heaven and eart h the reby
Hear my clamorous complain t th ough it late be
Receive my prayers o f thy benignity
Though I be a sinner most abominable
Yet let my name be written in Moses table
0 Mary pray to th e Maker o f all th ing
Me for t o help at my ending
And save me from the power of my enemy ;
For Death assaileth me strongly
And Lady that I may by mean of thy prayer
Of your so n s glory t o be pat tiner
By th e mean of his passion I it crave ;
I beseek you help me my soul to save
Knowledge give me the scourge of penance
My flesh the rewith shall give ac uittance ;
I ill now begin if God give me grace
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
,
,
,
,
’
.
q
.
w
,
.
,
q
,
D uotnletlge
Everyman God give you time and space !
Thus I be ueath you in the hands of o ur Saviour ;
N ow may you make your reckoning sure
,
.
D herg mau
In the name o f all th e H oly T rinity
My body pun ished sore shall be
Take th is body for the sin of the flesh
Also thou delightest to go gay and fresh ;
And in the way of damnation thou did me bring
Therefore suffer now strokes and punishing
Now of pe nance I will wade th e water clear
To save me from purgatory that sharp fire
,
,
,
.
,
[
23
]
,
w w
G out! D eena
w
I than k Go d no I can alk and go
And am delivered of my sickn ess and oe ;
Therefore with Everyman I will go and not spare
His good works I will help him to declare
,
,
,
.
B uchanan:
w
Now Everyman be merry and gla d
Your Good Deeds cometh no
ye may not be
N ow is your Good Deeds whole and so un d
Going upright upon th e groun d
,
,
,
,
.
w
My
heart
No
will
D hergmau
is light and shall be evermore ;
I smite faster than I did before
,
.
Goon D eena
Everyman pil grim my sp ecial friend
Blessed be th ou with out end ;
F or th ee is prepare d the eternal glory
Ye have me ma de whole and so und
There fore I will hide by thee in eve ry stound
,
,
,
D herg mau
Welc ome my Good Deeds now I hear thy
I weep for very sweetness of love
,
,
.
lehge
B uom
Be no more sad but evermore rejoice
God seeth thy living in His throne abov e ;
Put on thi s garment to thy behove
,
,
,
[
29
]
.
voice
,
,
ww
w
Which ith your tears i s no all e t
Lest before God it be un swe et
’
Wh en ye to your journey s end come shall
,
,
.
fi bergmau
Gentle Knowle dge what do ye it call !
,
D immers:
It is the garment of sorrow
From pain it ill you borro w ;
Contrition it is
That getteth forgiveness
It pleaseth God passing well
w
,
,
,
.
G oon D eena
Everyman will you wear it for your hele !
,
E u rasi an
Now blessed be Jesu Mary s son ;
For now have I on true contrition
And let us go now without tarrying
Good Deeds have we clear our reckoning !
’
,
W
.
,
G oo n D eena
Yea indeed I hav e here
,
,
.
D hergman
Then I trust we need not to fear ;
Now friends let us not depart in t ain
,
w
,
fim
Nay,
ww
.
Everyman that will we not certain
0
]
[ 3
,
ct
.
b
G out! D eena
Yet must thou lead with thee
Three pe rson s of great might
.
D hergmau
Who sh oul d they be !
G oon m m
Discretion and Strengt h they hyght
And thy Beauty may not abide behin d
,
.
lehge
B nom
Also ye must call to mind
Your F ive Wits as for your councillors
.
G oon D eena
You must have them ready at
al l
hours
w
D hergmau
How sh all
I
get th em hither !
m
Ou t 1 0 ‘
!
u
You must call them all together
And th ey will hear you incontinent
.
-
,
.
D herg man
My friends come hither and be pre sent
Discretion Strength my Five Wits and Beauty
,
,
,
,
,
Deauty
Here at your will we be all ready
What will ye that we should do !
[
1
3
]
.
G oon D eena
That ye woul d with Eve ryman go
And h elp him in his pil grimage
Advise you will ye go with him or not in th at voyag e !
,
,
5 1m gt!)
We will bring him all th ither
T o help and comfort him ye may believe me
,
S o will
D iarretfou
we go with him altoget her
.
.
D herymau
Almighty God loved may Thou be ;
I give Th ee laud that I have hither brought
Strength Discretion Beauty Five Wits :
nought :
And my Good Deeds with Knowledge clear
All he in my company at my will here ;
I d esire no more to my business
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
w
trength
S
w
w
And I Strengt h ill by you stand in distress
Though thou wouldest in battle fight on the ground
as
,
as
And though it were thorow the world round
We will not depart for sweet n e for sour
.
Deautg
No more will I unto death s hour
Whatsoever th ereo f befal l
’
,
.
[
2
3
]
,
.
D is cretio n
Everyman advi se you first of all
Go with a good advisement and deliberation ;
We all give you virtuous monition
That all shall be well
,
,
.
E v er yman
My friends hark what I will you tell
I pray God reward you in His heavenly sphere
Now h earken all that be here ;
For I will make my testament
Here be fore you all present :
In alms hal f my good I will give with my han ds t ain
In the way of charity with goo d intent
And the other hal f still shall remain
I it be ueath to be ret urned there it ought to be
This I do in despite of the fiend o f hell
To go uit out o f his pe ril
Ever after this day
,
w
q
q
,
.
,
.
D immin g:
Everyman hearken what I will say ;
Go to priesthood I you advise
And receiv e o f him in any wise
The holy sacrament and ointm ent togeth er
Then shortly see ye turn again hith er
We will all abide you here
,
,
,
w
,
,
.
as
j ib:
Yea Everyman h ie you that ye ready were
Th ere is no emperor king duke ne baron
That of Go d hath commission
[ 3 3
[ 33 ]
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
least priest in the worl d being
For of th e ble ssed sacraments pure an d benign
H e beareth th e keys and thereo f hath cure
For man s redemption it is ever sure
Which God for our soul s medicine
Gave us out o f his heart with great pain
Here in this transitory li fe for thee and me
The ble ssed sacraments seven there be
Baptism confi rmation with priesthood go od
An d the sacrament of God s precious flesh and blood
Marriage th e h oly extreme un ction and penance ;
Th ese seven be good to h ave in reme mbrance
Gracious sac raments o f high divinity
b ath the
As
'
,
’
,
,
’
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
w
w
,
.
m
a
n
y
Fain would I receive th at holy body
And meekly to my ghostly fathe r I will go
,
i
b
e
j
.
its
Everym an that is the be st that ye can do ;
God will you to salvation bring
For good priesthood exceedeth all other th ing
To us holy scripture they do teach
And converteth man fro sin heaven to reach ;
Go d hath to them more power given
Than to any angel that is in heaven
With five words h e may consecrate
God s body in flesh and blood to take
And handleth h is Maker bet een h is hands
The priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands
Both in earth and in heaven ;
[ 34 ]
,
,
,
’
w
,
,
,
He ministers all the sacraments seven
Thoug h we kiss thy feet thou wert worthy
Thou art the surgeon that cureth sin deadly
No remedy may we find under God
But all only priest hood
Everyman Go d gave priest [s] that dignity
And setteth them in His stead among us to be ;
Thus be they above angels in degree
,
,
,
.
,
,
w
.
D nnml ge
I f priests be good it is so surely
But when Jesu heng on the cross with great smart
There he gave us out o f his blessed heart
The same sacrament in great torment
He sold them not to us that Lord omnipotent ;
There fore Saint Peter the Apostl e doth say
That Jesus curse hath all they
Which Go d th eir Saviour do buy or sell
Or they for any money do take or tell
Sin ful priests giveth the sinners example bad
Their children sitteth by other men s fires I have
heard
And some haun teth women s company
With unclean life as lusts o f lechery
These be with sin made blind
,
,
,
.
,
,
’
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
’
,
,
w
.
b
e
i
j
it s
I trust to God no such may we find
Therefore let us priesthood honour
And follow their doctrine for our soul s succour ;
We be their she ep and they [our ] shepherds be
,
,
’
,
,
By whom we all be kept in surety
[
35
]
.
for yonder I see Everyman come
Which hath made true satis faction
Peace !
,
.
G oo n D eena
M eth ink it i s he indeed
.
D ha m
nan
Now Jesu Christ be your al der s peed !
I have received the sacrament for my redemption
And then mine extreme unction ;
Blessed be all they that counselled me to take it
And now friends let us g o without longer respite ;
I thank God that ye have tarried so long
Now set ea ch of you on th is rod your h and
And shortly follow me ;
I go before there I would be
God be o ur guide
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
S
tr ength
Everyman we will not fro you go
Till ye have gone this voyage long
,
,
I Discretion
D iscr etio n
will hide by you also
.
.
D nomlenge
And though this pilgrimage be nev er
I will never part you fro :
Everyman I will be as sure by thee
As ever I was by Judas Maccabee
,
,
.
[
6
3
]
strong
,
E v er yman
Alas ! I am so fain t I may not stan d
My limbs un der me do fold
Friends let us not turn again to this
N ot for all the world s gold ;
For into this cav e must I creep
,
,
’
,
B eauty
An d turn to th e earth and there to sleep
,
.
D beryntan
What into th is g rave ! Alas !
,
B eauty
Yea there shall ye consume more
,
less
and
.
E v eryman
And what sho uld I smoth er here !
Yea by my faith and never more appear ;
In this world live no more we shall
But in heaven be fore the highest Lord o f all
,
,
,
,
.
B eauty
I cro ss out all this : adieu by Saint John ;
I take my cap in my lap and am gone
,
.
,
D beryntan
Wh at Beauty ! wh ither will ye !
,
B eauty
Peace !
I am deaf I look not behind me
,
,
Not and thou wouldst give me all the gold in thy
ch est
,
.
[
37
]
D heryntan
Al as ! whereto may I now trust !
Beauty doth fast away hie
S he promised with me to liv e and die
S
.
trength
Everyman I will thee also forsake and
The game liketh me not at all
,
deny
.
D heryntan
Why then ye will forsake me all
Strength tarry I pray you a little space
,
,
,
S
tr ength
N ay sir by the road of grace
I will hie me from thee fast
Th ough thou weep till thy heart brast
,
.
,
,
,
D beryman
Ye would ever bide by me ye said
,
S
.
.
tr ength
Yea I have you far enough conveyed
Ye be old enough I understand
Your pil grimage to take on hand ;
I repent me that I hither came
,
,
,
,
.
E v eryman
Strength you to displease I am to blame ;
Y et promise is debt ; this ye well wot
,
.
[
8
3
]
,
E v eryman
Oh all thing faileth save God alone
Beauty Strength and Discretion ;
For when Death bloweth h is blast
They all run fro me full fast
,
,
.
,
,
w
,
,
.
t
!
i
f
as
Everyman of thee now my leave I take ;
I will follow th e other for here I thee forsake
,
,
.
D beryncan
Alas ! then may I bo th wail and weep ;
For I too k you for my b est friend
w
.
:
its
1 m
I will no lenger thee keep
Now farewell and here an end
.
,
Now Jesu help !
,
,
D beryman
all hath forsake n me
.
G oon D eere
Nay Everym an I will abide with thee
I will not forsake th ee in deed ;
Thou shalt find me a good friend at need
,
,
,
.
D beryncan
Gramercy Good Deeds now may I true friends
They have forsaken me everychon e ;
I loved them better th an my good deeds alone
Knowledge will ye forsake me also !
,
,
,
[
0
4
]
D nomlerge
Yea Everyman wh en ye to death shall go ;
But not yet for no man ner o f danger
,
,
.
D heryman
Gram ercy Kn owled ge with all my
,
,
heart
.
D nomleoge
N ay yet I will not from hence depart
Till I see wh ere ye shall be come
'
,
,
.
D heryncan
Methin keth alas ! th at I must be gone
To make my recko ning and my debts pay
For I see my time is nigh spent away
Take ensample all ye that th is do hear or see
How they that I loved best now forsake me ;
Except my Good Deeds th at hideth truly
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
G oon D eeos
'
All earthly th ings is but vanity
Beauty Strengt h and Discretion do man forsak e
Foolish friends and kinsmen that fair spake ;
All fleeth save Goo d Deeds and that am I
,
,
,
,
,
.
E v eryman
Have mercy on me God most mighty
And st and by me thou moth er and maid M ary
,
,
,
G oon D eeus
Fear not I will speak for thee
,
[
4
1
.
]
.
,
Here I
cry,
God
D oeryncan
mercy !
G oo n Deals
Short our end and min ish our pain
Let us go and never come again
,
.
D beryinan
Into thy han ds Lord my so ul I commend
Receive it Lord that it be not lo st ;
As thou me boughtest so me defend
And save me fro th e fien d s boast,
That I may appear with that ble ssed host
That s hall be saved at the day o f doom :
In man us tu as o f might most
For ever commendo spiritum meum
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
lebge
B nom
Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure
The Good Deeds sh all mak e all sure ;
Now hath h e made endin g
M et hinketh that I hea r angels sing
And mak e great joy an d melody
Where Everyman s so ul sh all re ceived be
,
,
,
’
.
l ithe a ng el
Come ex cellen t elect spouse to Jesu
H ere abov e thou shalt go
Because o f thy singul ar virtue
Now thy soul is taken thy body fro
Thy reckoning is cryst al clear ;
,
,
,
[
2
4
]
,
Now shalt thou into the heavenly sphere
! nto the which all ye shall come
That liveth well after the day o f doo m
,
,
.
D o ct o r
Thi s memory all men may have in mind ;
Ye h earers take it o f worth old an d young
And forsake pride for h e deceiveth you in the end
And rememb er Beauty Five Wits Strength and
Discretio n
T he y all at last do Everym an forsak e
Save his Good Deeds ; [them he ] there doth take
But beware for an d they be small
Be fore God h e 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 doth him forsake ;
If his reckoning be not clear when he doth come
God will say Ite maledicti in ign em a tern um ;
And he tha t h ath his account wh ole and sound
High in h eaven he shall be crowned ;
! nto which place God bring us all thither
That we may live bo dy and so ul together ;
Theret o h elp th e Trinity :
Am en say ye for Saint Charity
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
[
43
]
W
w
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,