EVERYMAN
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Rhys, Ernest
Everyman. Fain would I receive that holy body And meekly 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 thing; 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 make, 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 among 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 Saviour 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.17 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 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 gone 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 thee 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 the 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 wend surer I should you have found. He that trusteth in his Strength She him deceiveth at the length. Both Strength and Beauty forsaketh me, Yet they promised 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. Alas! then may I wail and weep, For I took you for my best friend.
Five-wits. I will no longer thee keep; Now farewell, and there an end.
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 my heart.