Part 4 (1/2)

For now shall I never be merry If that you forsake me.

_Kindred._ Ah, sir; what, ye be a merry man!

Take good heart to you, and make no moan.

But one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne, As for me, ye shall go alone.

_Everyman._ My _Cousin_, will you not with me go?

_Cousin._ No, by our Lady; I have the cramp in my toe.

Trust not to me, for, so G.o.d me speed, I will deceive you in your most need, _Kindred._ 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.

_Everyman._ Now show me the very effect of your mind.

Will you go with me, or abide behind?

_Kindred._ Abide behind? yea, that I will and I may!

Therefore farewell until another day.

_Everyman._ How should I be merry or glad?

For fair promises to me make, But when I have most need, they me forsake.

I am deceived; that maketh me sad.

_Cousin._ Cousin _Everyman_, farewell now, For verily I will not go with you; Also of mine own an unready reckoning I have to account; therefore I make tarrying.

Now, G.o.d keep thee, for now I go.

_Everyman._ Ah, _Jesus_, is all come hereto?

Lo, fair words maketh fools feign; They promise and nothing will do certain.

My kinsmen promised me faithfully For to abide with me steadfastly, And now fast away do they flee: Even so _Fellows.h.i.+p_ 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 that my good now help me might, He would make my heart full light.

I will speak to him in this distress.-- Where art thou, my _Goods_ and riches?

_Goods._ Who calleth me? _Everyman?_ what haste thou hast!

I lie here in corners, trussed and piled so high, And in chests I am locked so fast, Also sacked in bags, thou mayst see with thine eye, I cannot stir; in packs low I lie.

What would ye have, lightly me say.

_Everyman._ Come hither, _Good_, in all the haste thou may, For of counsel I must desire thee.

_Goods._ Sir, and ye in the world have trouble or adversity, That can I help you to remedy shortly.

_Everyman._ It is another disease that grieveth me; In this world it is not, I tell thee so.

I am sent for another way to go, To give a straight account general Before the highest _Jupiter_ of all; And all my life I have had joy and pleasure in thee.

Therefore I pray thee go with me, For, peradventure, thou mayst before G.o.d Almighty My reckoning help to clean and purify; For it is said ever among, That money maketh all right that is wrong.

_Goods._ Nay, _Everyman_, I sing another song, I follow no man in such voyages; For and I went with thee Thou shouldst fare much the worse for me; For because on me thou did set thy mind, Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind, That thine account thou cannot make truly; And that hast thou for the love of me.

_Everyman._ That would grieve me full sore, When I should come to that fearful answer.