DEATH.
Nay, thereto I will not consent, Nor no man will I respite; But to the heart suddenly I shall smite Without any advisement.
And now out of thy sight I will me hie; See thou make thee ready shortly, For thou mayest say, this is the day That no man living may 'scape away.
EVERYMAN.
Alas! I may well weep with sighs 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 God I had never be got;[80]
To my soul a full great profit it had be; For now I fear pains huge and great.
The time passeth: Lord, help, that all wrought!
For though I mourn, it availeth nought: The day passeth, and is almost ago; I wot not well what for 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 Be 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_.
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.
FELLOWSHIP.
My true friend, show to me your mind; I will not forsake thee, to my life's end, In the way of good company.
EVERYMAN.
That was well spoken and lovingly.
FELLOWSHIP.
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.
FELLOWSHIP.
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 fro me, And would not me comfort, when ye hear me speak, Then should I ten times sorrier be.
FELLOWSHIP.
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.
FELLOWSHIP.
And so ye shall evermore; For in faith, and thou go to hell, 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.
FELLOWSHIP.
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 account without delay Before the High Judge Adonai;[81]
Wherefore, I pray you, bear me company, As ye have promised in this journey.
FELLOWSHIP.
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 make[s] me afeard certain.
But let us take counsel here as well as we can, For your words would fear a strong man.
EVERYMAN.