Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse Part 40

EVERYMAN. Gracious G.o.d, in high seat celestial, Have mercy on me in this most need!

Shall I have no 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.

Hie thee that thou were gone to G.o.d's Magnificence Thy reckoning to give before His presence!

What! weenest 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; For as soon as thou art gone Another a while shall have it, and then go therefrom Even as thou hast done.

Everyman, thou art mad! that hast thy wittes five, And here on earth will not amend thy life!

For suddenly I do come!

EVERYMAN. Oh, wretched caitiff! whither shall I flee, That I might scape this endless sorrow?

Now, gentle Death, spare me till to-morrow, That I may amend me With good advis.e.m.e.nt.

DEATH. Nay, thereto I will not consent, Nor no man will I respite, But to the heart suddenly I shall smite, Without any advis.e.m.e.nt.

And now out of sight I will me hie; See thou make thee ready shortly, For thou may'st say this is the day That no man living may scape away.

EVERYMAN. Alas! I may well weep with sighes deep!

Now have I no manner of company To help me in my journey, and me to keep; And also my writing is full unready.

How shall I do now for to excuse me?

I would to G.o.d I had never be gete!

To my soul a great profit it had be, For now I fear pains huge and great.

The time pa.s.seth--Lord, help, that all wrought!

For though I mourn it availeth nought; The day pa.s.seth and is almost ago-- I wot not well what to do-- To whom were I best my complaint to make?

What and I to Fellowship thereof spake, And showed him of this sudden chance?

For in him is all mine affiance.

We have in the world, so many a day, Been good friends in sport and play; I see him yonder certainly!

I trust that he will bear me company; Therefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow: Well met, good Fellowship, and good morrow!

FELLOWSHIP _speaketh_.

FELLOW. Everyman, good morrow! by this day, Sir, why lookest thou so piteously?

If anything be amiss, I pray thee, me say, That I may help to remedy.

EVERYMAN. Yea, good Fellowship, yea, I am in great jeopardy!

FELLOW. My true friend, show to me your mind; I will not forsake thee unto my life's end-- In the way of good company.

EVERYMAN. That is well spoken, and lovingly!

FELLOW. Sir, I must needs know your heaviness; I have pity to see you in any distress!

If any have you wronged, ye shall revenged be, Though I on the ground be slain for thee, Though that I know before that I should die!

EVERYMAN. Verily, Fellowship, gramercy!

FELLOW. Tush! by thy thanks I set not a straw!

Show me your grief, and say no more.

EVERYMAN. If I my heart should to you break, And then you to turn your mind from me, And would not me comfort, when you hear me speak, Then should I ten times sorrier be.

FELLOW. Sir, I say as I will do in deed.

EVERYMAN. Then be you a good friend at need!

I have found you true here before.

FELLOW. And so ye shall evermore; For in faith, and thou go to h.e.l.l I will not forsake thee by the way!

EVERYMAN. Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well; I shall deserve it, and I may.

FELLOW. I speak of no deserving, by this day!

For he that will say, and nothing do, Is not worthy with good company to go; Therefore show me the grief of your mind, As to your friend most loving and kind.

EVERYMAN. I shall show you how it is: Commanded I am to go a journey-- A long way, hard and dangerous-- And give a strait count, without delay, Before the high judge Adonay; Wherefore, I pray you, bear me company As ye have promised, in this journey.

FELLOW. That is matter indeed! promise is duty; But and I should take such a voyage on me, I know it well it should be to my pain; Also it maketh me afeard, certain.

But let us take counsel here as we can, For your words would fear a strong man.

EVERYMAN. Why! ye said if I had need, Ye would me never forsake, quick ne dead, Though it were to h.e.l.l, truly!

FELLOW. So I said, certainly; But such pleasures be set aside, the sooth to say, And also, if we took such a journey, When should we come again?

EVERYMAN. Nay, never again till the Day of Doom.

FELLOW. In faith, then will not I come there; Who hath you these tidings brought?

EVERYMAN. Indeed, Death was with me here.

FELLOW. Now, by G.o.d that all hath bought, If Death were the messenger, For no man that is living to-day I will not go that loathsome journey, Not for the father that begat me!

EVERYMAN. Ye promised me otherwise, pardie!

FELLOW. I wot well I said so, truly, And yet if thou wilt eat and drink and make good cheer, Or haunt to women, that l.u.s.ty company, I would not forsake you while the day is clear, Trust me verily!

EVERYMAN. Yea, thereto ye would be ready, To go to mirth, solace, and play; Your mind to folly will sooner apply Than to bear me company in my long journey.

FELLOW. Nay, in good faith, I will not that way, But and thou wilt murder, or any man kill, In that I will help thee with a good will.

EVERYMAN. Oh, that is a simple advice, indeed!

Gentle fellow, help me in my necessity!

We have loved long, and now I need, And now, gentle Fellowship, remember me.

FELLOW. Whether ye have loved me or no, By Saint John I will not with thee go!

EVERYMAN. Yet, I pray thee, take the labour and do so much for me To bring me forward, for saint charity, And comfort me till I come without the town.

FELLOW. Nay, and thou would give me a new gown I will not one foot with thee go; But and thou had tarried I would not ha' left thee so.

And as now, G.o.d speed thee in thy journey!

For from thee I will depart as fast as I may.