KINDRED.
Here be we now at your commandment: Cousin, I pray thee, show us your intent In any wise, and do not spare.
COUSIN.
Yea, Everyman, and to us declare If ye be disposed to go any whither; For, wot ye well, we[84] will live and die together.
KINDRED.
In wealth and woe we will with you hold; For over his kin a man may be bold.
EVERYMAN.
Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind, Now shall I show you the grief of my mind.
I was commanded by a messenger, That is an high king's chief officer; He bad me go on pilgrimage to my pain, But I know well I shall never come again: Also I must give a reckoning strait; For I have a great enemy that hath me in wait, Which intendeth me for to hinder.
KINDRED.
What account is that which ye must render?
That would I know.
EVERYMAN.
Of all my works I must show, How I have lived, and my days spent; Also of ill deeds that I have used In my time, sith life was me lent, And of all virtues that I have refused: Therefore, I pray you, go thither with me To help to make mine account, for Saint Charity.
COUSIN.
What, to go thither? Is that the matter?
Nay, Everyman, I had liever fast bread and water, All this five year and more.
EVERYMAN.
Alas, that ever I was bore!
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 God me speed, I will[85] deceive you in your most need.
KINDRED.
It availeth not us to tice:[86]
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.
No, show me the very effect of your mind; Will you go with me, or abide behind?
KINDRED.
Abide behind! yea, that will I, and I may; Therefore farewell till another day.
EVERYMAN.
How should I be merry or glad?
For fair promises men 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 life an unready reckoning I have to account, therefore I make tarrying; Now God keep thee, for now I go.
EVERYMAN.
Ah, Jesu, is all come hereto?
Lo, fair words maketh fools fain;[87]
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 Fellowship 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, It would make my heart full light: I will speak to him in this distress: Where art thou, my Goods and Riches?
GOODS.