Part 43 (1/2)

Receive my prayers, of thy benignity!

Though I be a sinner most abominable, Yet let my name be written in Moses' table!

Oh Mary! pray to the Maker of all thing, Me for to help at my ending!

And save me from the power of my enemy, For death a.s.saileth me strongly; And, Lady, that I may by means of thy prayer, Of thy Son's glory to be partaker, By the means of His Pa.s.sion, I it crave: I beseech you, help my soul to save!

Knowledge, give me the scourge of penance; My flesh therewith shall give a quittance-- I will now begin, if G.o.d give me grace.

KNOWLEDGE. Everyman, G.o.d give you time and s.p.a.ce!

Thus I bequeath you in the hands of our Saviour; Thus may you make your reckoning sure.

EVERYMAN. In the name of the Holy Trinity, My body sore punished shall be!

Take this, body, for the sin of the flesh, Also thou delightest to go gay and fresh, And in way of d.a.m.nation thou did me bring, Therefore suffer now strokes and punis.h.i.+ng!

Now of penance I will wade the water clear, To save me from h.e.l.l and from the fire.

GOOD DEEDS. I thank G.o.d, now I can walk and go!

I am delivered of my sickness and woe; Therefore with Everyman I will go, and not spare; His good works I will help him to declare.

KNOWLEDGE. Now, Everyman, be merry and glad!

Your Good Deeds do come, ye may not be sad.

Now is your Good Deeds whole and sound, Going upright upon the ground.

EVERYMAN. My heart is light, and shall be evermore: Now will I smite faster than I did before.

GOOD DEEDS. Everyman, pilgrim, my special friend, Blessed be thou without end!

For thee is prepared the eternal glory.

Ye have me made whole and sound, Therefore I will abide with thee in every stound.

EVERYMAN. Welcome, my Good Deeds! now I hear thy voice I weep for very sweetness of love.

KNOWLEDGE. Be no more sad, but ever more rejoice; G.o.d seeth thy living in His throne above.

Put on this garment to thy behove, Which with your tears is now all wet, Lest before G.o.d it be unsweet When you to your journey's end come shall.

EVERYMAN. Gentle Knowledge, what do ye it call?

KNOWLEDGE. It is the garment of sorrow-- From pain it will you borrow-- Contrition it is, That getteth forgiveness, It pleaseth G.o.d pa.s.sing well.

GOOD DEEDS. Everyman, will you wear it for your heal?

EVERYMAN. 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?

GOOD DEEDS. Yea, indeed, I have it here.

EVERYMAN. Then I trust we need not fear.

Now friends, let us not part in twain.

KINDRED. Nay, Everyman, that will we not, certain!