Lesson 9 Readings

	E veryman
	Here beginneth a treatise¹ how the high father of 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.	¹ narrative
	MESSENGER: I pray you all give your audience, And hear this matter with reverence, By figure² a moral play. The Summoning of Everyman called it is,	² form
(5)	That of our lives and ending shows How transitory we be all day³. This matter is wonder precious, But the intent of it is more gracious And sweet to bear away.	³always
(10)	The story saith: Man, in the beginning Look well, and take good heed to the ending, Be you never so gay. You think sin in the beginning full sweet, Which in the end causeth thy soul to weep,
(15)	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 hear how our Heaven-King
(20)	Calleth Everyman to a general reckoning. Give audience, and hear what he doth say. GOD: I perceive, here in my majesty, How that all creatures be to me unkind⁴, Living without dread in worldly prosperity.	⁴thoughtless
(25)	Of ghostly⁵ 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 righteousness, the sharp rod; My law that I showed, when I for them died	⁵spiritual
(30)	They forget clean, and shedding of my blood red. I hanged between two⁶, 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--	⁶ Christ was crucified between two thieves.
(35)	And now I see the people do clean forsake me. They use the seven deadly sins damnable, As pride, covetise, wrath, and lechery⁷, Now in the world be made commendable. And thus they leave of angels the heavenly company.	⁷The seven deadly sins are pride, covetise, wrath, lechery, envy, gluttony, and sloth.
(40)	Every man 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 appaireth⁸ fast.	⁸ degenerates
(45)	Therefore I will in all the haste, Have a reckoning of every man's person. For and⁹ I leave the people thus alone In their life and wicked tempests, Verily they will become much worse than beasts;	⁹if
(50)	For now one would by envy another up eat. Charity do they all clean forget. I hoped well that every man In my glory should make his mansion, And thereto I had them all elect¹⁰.	¹⁰ chosen
(55)	But now I see, like traitors deject¹¹, They thank me not for the pleasure that I to¹² 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 heartily¹³.	¹¹ abased ¹² for ¹³sincerely
(60)	They be so cumbered¹⁴ with worldly riches That needs on them I must do justice-- On every man living without fear. Where art thou, Death, thou mighty messenger? DEATH: Almighty God, I am here at your will,	¹⁴ encumbered
(65)	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;
(70)	And that he bring with him a sure reckoning Without delay or any tarrying. DEATH: Lord, I will in the world go run over all¹⁵, And cruelly out-search both great and small. [Exit GOD.] Everyman will I beset that liveth beastly	¹⁵ everywhere
(75)	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^16-- Except that Almsdeeds¹⁷ be his good friend-- In hell for to dwell, world without end.	¹⁶ separate ¹⁷good deeds
(80)	Lo, yonder I see Everyman walking: Full little he thinketh on my coming; His mind is on fleshly lusts and his treasure, And great pain it shall cause him to endure Before the Lord, Heaven-King. [Enter EVERYMAN.]
(85)	Everyman, stand still! Whither art thou going Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forget¹⁸? EVERYMAN: Why askest thou? Wouldest thou weet¹⁹? DEATH: Yea, sir, I will show you:	¹⁸ forgotten ¹⁹ know
(90)	In great haste I am sent to thee From God out of his majesty. EVERYMAN: What! sent to me? DEATH: Yea, certainly. Though thou have forgot him here,
(95)	He thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere, As, ere we depart, thou shalt know. EVERYMAN: What desireth God of me? DEATH: That shall I show thee: A reckoning he will needs have
(100)	Without any longer respite. EVERYMAN: To give a reckoning longer leisure I crave. This blind²⁰ matter troubleth my wit. DEATH: On thee thou must take a long journey: Therefore thy book of count²¹ with thee thou bring,	²⁰ unexpected ²¹ accounts
(105)	For turn again thou cannot 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 a few-- How thou hast spent thy life and in what wise,
(110)	Before the Chief Lord of Paradise. Have ado that we were in that way²², For weet thou well thou shalt make none attournay²³. EVERYMAN: Full unready I am such reckoning to give. I know thee not. What messenger art thou?	²² Let's get started right way. ²³ Nobody shall go in your place.
(115)	DEATH: I am Death, that no man dreadeth²⁴. For every man I 'rest²⁵, 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.	²⁴that fears no one ²⁵ arrest
(120)	In thy power it lieth me to save: Yet of my good²⁶will 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.	²⁶ goods
(125)	I set nought by²⁷ gold, silver, nor riches²⁸, Nor by pope, emperor, king, duke, nor princes. For and²⁹ I would receive gifts great, All the world I might get. But my custom is clean contrary:	²⁷ care nothing for ²⁸ Riches, gold, and silver mean nothing to me. ²⁹ if
(130)	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.
(135)	But twelve year and I might have a biding³⁰, 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 be provided of remedy.	³⁰If I could put this off for twelve years.
(140)	DEATH: Thee availeth not to cry, weep, and pray; But haste thee lightly³¹ that thou were gone that journey, And prove³² thy friends, if thou can. For weet³³ thou well the tide³⁴ abideth no man, And in the world each living creature	³¹quickly ³² test ³³ know ³⁴time
(145)	For Adam's sin must die of nature³⁵. EVERYMAN: Death, if I should this pilgrimage take, And my reckoning surely make, Show me, for saint³⁶ charity, Should I not come again shortly?	³⁵ naturally ³⁶ holy
(150)	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!
(155)	Shall I have company from this vale terrestrial Of mine acquaintance that way me to lead? DEATH: Yea, if any be so hardy That would go with thee and bear thee company. Hie³⁷ thee that thou were gone to God's magnificence,	³⁷hasten
(160)	Thy reckoning to give before his presence. What, weenest³⁸ thou thy life is given thee, And thy worldly goods also? EVERYMAN: I had weened so, verily. DEATH: Nay, nay, it was but lent thee.	³⁸suppose
(165)	For as soon as thou art go, Another a while shall have it and then go therefro, Even as thou hast done. Everyman, thou art mad! Thou hast thy wits³⁹ five, And here on earth will not amend thy live⁴⁰!	³⁹ senses ⁴⁰ in thy life
(170)	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 tomorrow, That I may amend me
(175)	With good advisement⁴¹. DEATH: Nay, thereto I will not consent, Nor no man will I respite, But to the heart suddenly I shall smite, Without any advisement.	⁴¹preparation
(180)	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 'scape away. [Exit DEATH.] EVERYMAN: Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep:
(185)	Now have I no manner of company To help me in my journey, and me to keep⁴². And also my writing is full unready-- How shall I do now for to excuse me? I would to God I had never be geet⁴³!	⁴² guard ⁴³ never been born
(190)	To my soul a full great profit it had be. For now I fear pains huge and great. Everyman turns to Fellowship, but he abandons Everyman. Then, Everyman turns to Kindred and Cousin who also leave him. He then turns to Goods who tells him all of this is his own doing and could have been prevented. Goods, Confession, Beauty, Strength, Discretion, and Five-Wits all leave him. Only Good Deeds and Knowledge stand by him. 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,
(195)	Not for all the world's gold, For into this cave must I creep And turn to earth, and there to sleep. BEAUTY: What, into this grave, alas? EVERYMAN: Yea, there shall ye consume⁴⁴ more and less.	⁴⁴ decay
(200)	BEAUTY: And what, should I smother here? EVERYMAN: Yea, by my faith, and nevermore 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--
(205)	I take my tape 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 wouldest give me all the gold in thy chest. [Exit BEAUTY.] EVERYMAN: Alas, whereto may I trust?
(210)	Beauty goeth fast away fro me-- She promised with me to live and die. STRENGTH: Everyman, I will thee also forsake and deny. Thy game liketh⁴⁵ me not at all. EVERYMAN: Why then, ye will forsake me all?	⁴⁵ pleases
(215)	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 tobrast⁴⁶. EVERYMAN: Ye would ever bide by me, ye said.	⁴⁶ break
(220)	STRENGTH: Yea, I have you far enough conveyed⁴⁷! 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 blame⁴⁸,	⁴⁷ escorted ⁴⁸ I'm to blame for displeasing you.
(225)	Yet promise is debt, this ye well wot. 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. [Exit STRENGTH.]
(230)	EVERYMAN: I had weened⁴⁹ 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.	⁴⁹supposed
(235)	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,
(240)	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, everyone! [Exit DISCRETION.]
(245)	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.
(250)	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 keep⁵⁰. Now farewell, and there an end! [Exit FIVE-WITS.]	⁵⁰ watch over
(255)	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: Gramercy⁵¹, Good Deeds! Now may I true friends see.	⁵¹ good thanks
(260)	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 shall go, But not yet, for no manner of danger.
(265)	EVERYMAN: Gramercy, Knowledge, with all my heart! KNOWLEDGE: Nay, yet I will not from hence depart Till I see where ye shall become⁵². EVERYMAN: Methink, alas, that I must be gone, To make my reckoning and my debts pay,	⁵²what shall become of you
(270)	For I see my time is nigh spent away. Take example, all ye that this do hear or see, How they that I best loved do forsake me, Except my Good Deeds that bideth truly. GOOD DEEDS: All earthly things is but vanity.
(275)	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.
(280)	GOOD DEEDS: Fear not: I will speak for thee. EVERYMAN: Here I cry God mercy. GOOD DEEDS: Short our end, and 'minish our pain⁵³. Let us go, and never come again. EVERYMAN: Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend:	⁵³Make our death quick and diminish our pain.
(285)	Receive it, Lord, that it be not lost. As thou me boughtest⁵⁴,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.	⁵⁴ redeemed
(290)	In manus tuas--of mights most, Forever commendo spiritum meum.⁵⁵ [EVERYMAN and GOOD DEEDS descend into the grave.] KNOWLEDGE: Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure, The Good Deeds shall make all sure. Now hath he made ending,	⁵⁵ Into thy hands, O greatest of powers, I commend my spirit forever. (Latin)
(295)	Methinketh that I hear angels sing And make great joy and melody Where Everyman's soul received shall be. ANGEL: [within] Come, excellent elect⁵⁶ spouse to Jesu⁵⁷! Here above thou shalt go	⁵⁶ chosen ⁵⁷ The soul is often called the bride of Jesus.
(300)	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
(305)	That liveth well before the day of doom. [Enter DOCTOR⁵⁸.] DOCTOR: This memorial⁵⁹ 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,	⁵⁸A learned theologian. ⁵⁹ reminder
(310)	They all at the last do Everyman forsake, Save his Good Deeds there doth he take-- But beware, for and they be small, Before God, he hath no help at all-- None excuse may be there for Everyman.
(315)	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 do come, God will say, "Ite maledicti in ignem eternum⁶⁰!"	⁶⁰ Go, cursed one, into the everlasting fire.
(320)	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!
(325)	Amen, say ye, for saint charity.