Part 4 (2/2)

Up, let us go thither together.

_Goods._ Nay, not so, I am too brittle, I may not endure; I will follow no man one foot, be ye sure.

_Everyman._ Alas, I have thee loved, and had great pleasure All my life-days on good and treasure.

_Goods._ That is to thy d.a.m.nation without lesing, For my love is contrary to the love everlasting.

But if thou had me loved moderately during, As, to the poor give part of me, Then shouldst thou not in this dolour be, Nor in this great sorrow and care.

_Everyman._ Lo, now was I deceived or I was ware, And all I may wyte[13] my spending of time.

_Goods._ What, weenest thou that I am thine?

_Everyman._ I had wend so.

_Goods._ Nay, _Everyman,_ I say no; As for a while I was lent thee, A season thou hast had me in prosperity; My condition is man's soul to kill; If I save one, a thousand I do spill; Weenest thou that I will follow thee?

Nay, from this world, not verily.

_Everyman._ I had wend otherwise.

_Goods._ Therefore to thy soul _Good_ is a thief; For when thou art dead, this is my guise Another to deceive in the same wise As I have done thee, and all to his soul's reprief.

_Everyman._ O false _Good_, cursed thou be!

Thou traitor to G.o.d, that hast deceived me, And caught me in thy snare.

_Goods._ Marry, thou brought thyself in care, Whereof I am glad, I must needs laugh, I cannot be sad.

_Everyman._ Ah, _Good_, thou hast had long my heartly love; I gave thee that which should be the Lord's above.

But wilt thou not go with me in deed?

I pray thee truth to say.

_Goods._ No, so G.o.d me speed, Therefore farewell, and have good day.

_Everyman._ O, to whom shall I make my moan For to go with me in that heavy journey?

First _Fellows.h.i.+p_ said he would with me gone; His words were very pleasant and gay, But afterward he left me alone.

Then spake I to my kinsmen all in despair, And also they gave me words fair, They lacked no fair speaking, But all forsake me in the ending.

Then went I to my _Goods_ that I loved best, In hope to have comfort, but there had I least; For my _Goods_ sharply did me tell That he bringeth many into h.e.l.l.

Then of myself I was ashamed, And so I am worthy to be blamed; Thus may I well myself hate.

Of whom shall I now counsel take?

I think that I shall never speed Till that I go to my _Good-Deed_, But alas, she is so weak, That she can neither go nor speak; Yet will I venture on her now.-- My _Good-Deeds_, where be you?

_Good-Deeds._ Here I lie cold in the ground; Thy sins hath me sore bound, That I cannot stir.

_Everyman._ O, _Good-Deeds_, I stand in fear; I must you pray of counsel, For help now should come right well.

_Goods-Deeds._ _Everyman_, I have understanding That ye be summoned account to make Before _Messias_, of Jerusalem King; And you do by me[14] that journey what[15] you will I take.

_Everyman._ Therefore I come to you, my moan to make; I pray you, that ye will go with me.

_Good-Deeds._ I would full fain, but I cannot stand verily.

_Everyman._ Why, is there anything on you fall?

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