Part 45 (1/2)

They have forsaken me, everyone; 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!

KNOWLEDGE. Nay, yet I will not from hence depart Till I see where ye shall become.

EVERYMAN. Me-thinketh, alas, that I must be gone To make my reckoning, and my debtes pay, For I see my time is nigh spent away.

Take example, all ye that this do hear or see, How they that I loved best do forsake me, Except my Good Deeds, that bideth truly.

GOOD DEEDS. All earthly thing is but vanity: 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, G.o.d most mighty!

And stand by me, thou mother and maid, Holy Mary!

GOOD DEEDS. Fear not, I will speak for thee.

EVERYMAN. Here I cry G.o.d mercy!

GOOD DEEDS. Short our end and minish our pain!

Let us go and never come again.

EVERYMAN. Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend!

Receive it, Lord, that it be not lost: As thou me boughtest so me defend, And save me from the fiendes boast, That I may appear with that blessed host That shall be saved at the Doom, (In ma.n.u.s tuas) of mightes most, For ever (commendo spiritum meum).

KNOWLEDGE. Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure; The Good Deeds shall make all sure.

Now hath he made ending-- Me-thinketh that I hear angels sing, And make great joy and melody, Where Everyman's soul shall received be.

ANGEL. Come excellent elect spouse to Jesu!

Here above thou shalt go Because of thy singular virtue.

Now thy soul is taken thy body fro, Thy reckoning is crystal clear.

Now shalt thou into the heavenly sphere, Unto the which all ye shall come That liveth well, before the day of Doom.

DOCTOR. This memorial men may have in mind: Ye hearears, 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, They all at the last do every man forsake, Save his good deeds, there doth he take.

But beware! for and they be small, Before G.o.d he hath no help at all.

None excuse may be there for every man, 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, G.o.d will say (ite maledicti in ignem eternum) And he that hath his account whole and sound, High in heaven he shall be crowned.